'91 Bose/Delco noise problem
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: seattke wa
'91 Bose/Delco noise problem
I have a 1991 Vette and my radio is acting up. If this happened a few
years ago, I would simply replace it, but I simply hate all the crap
that is out there. When it comes to stereos I want them simple and
with nubs, not 20 thousand damn buttons.
The unit is a Bose/Delco AM/FM cassette, and when I turn it on, most
of the time all I get is this painfully loud screach. Sometimes the
thing works just fine. This problem sort of developed over time.
At first it happened once in a great while, but then more and more
often. Now it almost never does anything but screach.
I've also noticed that it takes about 2 seconds
before the noise kicks in..... and if I shut off the stereo before it
does, it makes this "pop" sound. The longer I have the radio on, the
louder the pop
Any ideas?
I know that a lot of people here think that the Bose systems suck,
but I have never complained about the sound quality,
Anyway, I would really like to solve the problem and keep it.
If it really comes down to it, I will yank the whole thing out,
but that's the last resort.
years ago, I would simply replace it, but I simply hate all the crap
that is out there. When it comes to stereos I want them simple and
with nubs, not 20 thousand damn buttons.
The unit is a Bose/Delco AM/FM cassette, and when I turn it on, most
of the time all I get is this painfully loud screach. Sometimes the
thing works just fine. This problem sort of developed over time.
At first it happened once in a great while, but then more and more
often. Now it almost never does anything but screach.
I've also noticed that it takes about 2 seconds
before the noise kicks in..... and if I shut off the stereo before it
does, it makes this "pop" sound. The longer I have the radio on, the
louder the pop
Any ideas?
I know that a lot of people here think that the Bose systems suck,
but I have never complained about the sound quality,
Anyway, I would really like to solve the problem and keep it.
If it really comes down to it, I will yank the whole thing out,
but that's the last resort.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 2
From: Windermere FL
Re: '91 Bose/Delco noise problem (Mark98115)
You can send it out, or buy a new one, or buy an aftermarket. If you still really want to fix it and not spend the money towards a good new deck there are repair services. RadioJoe might be able to help. If you go the aftermarket route and hate fluff and want something nice sounding but not glitzy, try a nakamichi. Full function, no glitz. http://www.nakamichi.com Hope this helps.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 460
Likes: 12
From: Gulf Shores AL
Re: '91 Bose/Delco noise problem (Mark98115)
I had a somewhat similar problem with mine, though some of the symptoms were different.
Mine had the same intermittent screech, but it occurred even after I turned the car off. I was able to isolate it to the cassette deck by sticking my finger into the slot and finding one of the pins spinning furiously (this might have been a dumb thing to do, but what the heck). I also noticed that the noise got much louder when I opened the cassette door, so I was confident it was something mechanical in the cassette.
This thing ran all the time, and it was maddening. It wound up draining my battery, so I pulled the fuse out and went w/o tunes.
Anyway, here's the happy ending. I decided to pull the whole unit and replace it. Before I deposited the receiver in the trash, I decided to rip it apart and get a look at the innards. Turns out the cassette is a separate, easily removable subsystem in the receiver. I removed four tiny bolts, slipped two wires out of their clips, tossed the cassette, and put the radio back in the car. Works fine.
I miss having the cassette, and if I every put a tape in the receiver its a gonner, put at least I avoided having to completely replaced it.
Mine had the same intermittent screech, but it occurred even after I turned the car off. I was able to isolate it to the cassette deck by sticking my finger into the slot and finding one of the pins spinning furiously (this might have been a dumb thing to do, but what the heck). I also noticed that the noise got much louder when I opened the cassette door, so I was confident it was something mechanical in the cassette.
This thing ran all the time, and it was maddening. It wound up draining my battery, so I pulled the fuse out and went w/o tunes.
Anyway, here's the happy ending. I decided to pull the whole unit and replace it. Before I deposited the receiver in the trash, I decided to rip it apart and get a look at the innards. Turns out the cassette is a separate, easily removable subsystem in the receiver. I removed four tiny bolts, slipped two wires out of their clips, tossed the cassette, and put the radio back in the car. Works fine.
I miss having the cassette, and if I every put a tape in the receiver its a gonner, put at least I avoided having to completely replaced it.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: seattke wa
Re: '91 Bose/Delco noise problem (jwg2)
Thanks you both.
I looked at the Nikamichi and if I do and up buying a new unit that's the way I will go. However I think I will wait until they have one that is capable of playing MP3s. Of course the unit that I really liked was the one that runs about $1,200.00. I guess I have good taste.
jwg2:
Sounds like I might have the same problem as you. The volume of my screech is already louder then hell to begin with, so I don't think that when I open the cassette door will make it any louder.
However, I did notice that my battery is getting drained. I had to jump start the car yesterday, after not driving it for about 2 weeks. Another thing I noticed yesterday is that the antenna went up as soon as I turned the ignition on, but I had the radio off.
I think I will do as you have and stick my fingers into the cassette slot and see if there is anything spinning in there.
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Dunmore, Pennsylvania
Re: '91 Bose/Delco noise problem (Mark98115)
I was getting a loud screach after about 5 mins with the radio on, I was able to narrow it down to one of the rear
speakers/amps. I disconnected the plug for that speaker and used the other 3, I am going to take it out now that
it is winter and change the caps and see if it works. Mine was only one speaker (for now), don't know if you have
the same problem.
speakers/amps. I disconnected the plug for that speaker and used the other 3, I am going to take it out now that
it is winter and change the caps and see if it works. Mine was only one speaker (for now), don't know if you have
the same problem.
