The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay The Radio Bench trouble with after market radio

The after market radio is in my '55 1st series. It is an Antique Automobile Radio from Classic Car Stereos. It sometimes works and sometimes does not work. Sometimes when I turn on the ignition the radio sound comes on after a few minutes. Sometimes when I turn on the ignition there is no sound from the radio. All the time, the radio light comes on with the ignition on. And sometimes the radio sound comes on after awhile.

Bottom line the radio seems to have its own mind. Any ideas for resolving the radio problem would be appreciated.

Hi, Larry, I found on mine that the tuning knob is VERY senitive. I make sure that it is centered on the station and then set the push buttons. I have had it cut out and I find that if push a button for a station it comes back on. I think road vibrations are causing the tuner knob to move just a little bit. Have fun, Brian

hippy,
what year of truck do you have? I believe the 54 has a different style radio than the AD trucks but it sounds like the repros have similar problems.

1954/55st Advance-Design truck radios were a completely different style than the 1947-53 A-D trucks (different holes in the dash and different speaker locations)

I think there were two 47-53 truck radios, but the difference was "subtle".

Right, and the 54 radio did not have push buttons. There were two designs for the AD years, 47 to 50 and 50 to 53. The chassis were different but both fit the truck correctly. On the earlier radio, the 700 mark is much further to the right than on the later radio. That is how one can tell the difference in the dial markings. One could switch the dial plates but the stations would not line up properly.

truckernix,

Do both styles 47-53 dials have the work "Chevrolet" in/on the glass?

From what I have here, I would say yes, they both had the name Chevrolet and I would assume that the GMC dials did the same. Looking into the answer to your question, I just noticed that the replacement early dials may not be a faithful reproduction. I have one that I think is original and the high end of the dial is marked by "160". The replacements end in "150".

I am still here with issues with the radio. Anyone know if the problem with the radio can be fixed.

All I can suggest is to back to the supplier. They should stand behind the product.

It is beyond the warranty date. I do not want to deal with trying to get it repaired long distance. I am going to pull the radio and take it to a local radio shop. Hopefully it can be repaired. Thanks for the response.

I thought you meant it worked this way from new. If it didn't then my guess would be a bad solder joint or two, since it does work at times. If you want to poke around, open it up, get it running on the bench and try some freeze spray at various parts of the circuit board. You can buy it at Radio Shack. You could also use a plastic probe to tap on solder joints to see if it makes a difference.

Larry, is your radio an exact replica like this?
http://www.classiccarstereos.com/product/172001B.html
I have one of these radio's in my 1955.2 3100. Your description sounds just like what my radio is doing. Here's my radio.
http://www.classiccarstereos.com/product/262001B.html
It was manufactured by Antique Automobile Radio Inc. 700 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor Florida. I bought it from spautoradio in Wisconson on Ebay.
Let us know what you find out.

Shaker,
That is the radio I installed in the truck. It has speakers attached. It is time for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Going to visit family and friends in Seattle. Will pull the radio out after we get back the first week or so after the holiday. I will check it out on the bench. I found a radio repair guy locally.

I would be interested to know how this turns out, if you could let us know when the time comes.

Back at it. Had a great Christmas with friends and family in Seattle. Out in the garage and pulled the radio today. Took it to a radio repair shop. More information to follow. It's good to be home.

The radio guy opened up the chassis and bench tested it. It worked intermittent. The radio is made by Antique Automobile radio Inc. It was assembled in the USA using imported cheap parts. Not much can really be repaired. I got the radio back. Installed it in my truck. It fits the hole in the dash. It is what it is.

Wow, that is too bad. I hope people read this before thinking of buying one of those.