'77 Stingray Delco Radio Problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 32
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From: Gahanna (near Columbus) Ohio
'77 Stingray Delco Radio Problem
Hello, I am a proud new owner of a 1977 Corvette Stingray. It is in great shape and has only 15k original miles on it. All of the gauges work and it runs great, except for some reason the Delco radio doesn't seem to work. I can turn the **** and the yellow indicator light comes on, but I here nothing, no static, no music, nothing. It is the model of Delco radio with the 8 track in it as well, but no CB radio. If anyone knows what is wrong or can recommend a good site to learn more, please let me know. Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,763
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From: Fayetteville NC
Try these thing first. Check your owners manual and find out which fuse operates the radio. Check to see if it is good. Look under the drivers side rear quarter panel (I'm assuming this is where your antenna is - my '75 is here) and make sure the antenna is grounded. Mine has a grounding plate. Remove the shifter console kick panel on the passenger side and make sure the antenna cable is plugged into the radio. If you can get to the speakers easy enough, check to ensure the wires are attached. Good luck. My Delco radio works great at times, then seems to fade out sometimes. Frustrating. May need to upgrade to more modern one.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 32
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From: Gahanna (near Columbus) Ohio
Thanks for the follow up
Thanks for the info, I will give that a shot. I guess I was wondering if there was any generic information about the radio out there too, the manual with the car really doesn't touch on it much. To be honest, I am not entirely sure that it doesn't work, I just may not be operating it correctly. I know it mentions trimming the radio, but I have no idea what the means nor how to do it... Thanks again!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
If I remember correctly, to trim the radio you need to tune in a station close to the right side of the dial and fine tune the station for the best signal with the trim screw. Sounds like the radio has power if the light comes on (assuming it does this with the headlight switch off). Maybe your speaker wire is not connected? By the way, modern speakers will blow the output circuits of the old radios, possible if the previous owner installed new speakers this could have happened. You need to use only 10 ohm speakers, not the modern 4 ohm ones. This site is somewhat educational:
http://www.wonderbarman.com/
This guy fixed mine, might be a little more reasonable (e-mail):
Ward's Classic car radio repair
http://www.wonderbarman.com/
This guy fixed mine, might be a little more reasonable (e-mail):
Ward's Classic car radio repair
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Gahanna (near Columbus) Ohio
thanks, I'm going to take a look at the speakers here soon and see if I can tell if they are connected. They appear to be the original ones though. It can be tough to sit down and work on the radio when the perfect day like today comes along to take her out for a ride, but I'll get to it here in the next couple of days. I have learned one very cool thing, which is the bond between corvette enthusiasts alike. I can't drive down the road in my stingray with out getting looks of awe, or pass another vette, be it a c5 or whatever and get a handwave or a flash of the lights. This community is awesome and only enhances the experience. THANKS!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Radio gets power from the radio fuse. Check fuse.
The radio light gets power from the Inst. lamps fuse which is good.
I cut the wire on mine about 77 since I noticed the radio sounded better w/ lights off.
Check ground.
Check speakers w/ an ohmmeter. A good speaker is needed to check radio.
4 ohm speakers would probably work fine w/ that radio- they did w/ a 77 T/A. The kick location is better.
Do not try to trim at this time- probably not needed anyway.
I recently removed the original dash speakers which I disconnected in the 70s. They were good at the time & now an ohmmeter shows only one good.
The radio light gets power from the Inst. lamps fuse which is good.
I cut the wire on mine about 77 since I noticed the radio sounded better w/ lights off.
Check ground.
Check speakers w/ an ohmmeter. A good speaker is needed to check radio.
4 ohm speakers would probably work fine w/ that radio- they did w/ a 77 T/A. The kick location is better.
Do not try to trim at this time- probably not needed anyway.
I recently removed the original dash speakers which I disconnected in the 70s. They were good at the time & now an ohmmeter shows only one good.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 172
Likes: 17
From: Canada
Check your speakers. I bought my 77 a couple of years ago and the radio did not work but like yours the light for FM would work indicating power. I pulled the radio and took it to a shop and it was fine. Took the car in and when they checked both speakers were not working. Two new speakers and everything has been fine.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Gahanna (near Columbus) Ohio
Update
I have located the fuse box after a few minutes of pulling the wrong panels apart, it is set up behind the clutch. Any how, I pulled the fuse for the radio and it appears ok, but my ohmeter is dead, so will have to wait for testing until later. Here is the pics of it,
Another question is that it has an alarm system, but it too doesn't appear to work, but when I located the fuse box, I noticed that a plug was just haning there and it seemed clear that it was meant to be plugged in, but I wanted to see if I could varify that. Here is a pic of that:
Thanks again for all the help. If it turns out to be the speakers, how do I get to them to replace them easily? or not easily...
Another question is that it has an alarm system, but it too doesn't appear to work, but when I located the fuse box, I noticed that a plug was just haning there and it seemed clear that it was meant to be plugged in, but I wanted to see if I could varify that. Here is a pic of that:
Thanks again for all the help. If it turns out to be the speakers, how do I get to them to replace them easily? or not easily...
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville NC
You can get to the speaker on the right by removing the glove compartment pouch. The one on the drivers side is tougher. You have to remove the dash. I want to put BOSE speakers in my car but have yet to take out the dash (chicken).
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 32
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From: Gahanna (near Columbus) Ohio
I would assume that if you had one speaker working (i.e. the right speaker since it is easier to get to), the other speaker wouldn't have to work in order to get sound...?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 32
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From: Gahanna (near Columbus) Ohio
Ok, Thanks to everyone for the help. I got the right speaker out after removing the panel and tested it, appears to be bad. I grabbed a shelf speaker and touched the wires to the connetor on the radio and to me surprise I heard music!!! Now I am on the journey to find 2 new 10ohm speakers to replace the old ones... does anyone know where I can find these?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Typically home speakers are 8 ohm & aftermarket car speakers are 4 ohm. Many of us have replaced factory speakers w/ 4 ohm w/o any issues at all. If I wanted to use the factory radio, would use 4 ohm.
Many like 4 ohm because they will be louder in general.
You can get a better sound w/ speakers in the doors or kick panels.
The kicks will accept 4X6 easily though a backing plate will be needed.
5.25 can be fitted. 5.25 components best w/ tweeters in kicks or dash.
Many like 4 ohm because they will be louder in general.
You can get a better sound w/ speakers in the doors or kick panels.
The kicks will accept 4X6 easily though a backing plate will be needed.
5.25 can be fitted. 5.25 components best w/ tweeters in kicks or dash.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Originally Posted by KALAWAY
You can get to the speaker on the right by removing the glove compartment pouch. The one on the drivers side is tougher. You have to remove the dash. I want to put BOSE speakers in my car but have yet to take out the dash (chicken).
Rick B.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
Just my opinion, but I feel the best speakers for your application are the "upgrade" version of the original Delco speakers. You should be able to order them from GM Parts Direct or your local Chevy dealer. Delco part number is 16033662. I will repeat, do not use the 4 ohm speakers, you will risk severe damage to your radio.
