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Audio Issues

Old May 22, 2018 | 10:28 AM
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drewwill
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Default Audio Issues

Good Morning,
I'm having a bit of trouble with the radio in my '76. I've tested two different aftermarket head units (the unit in it when I purchased the car and a brand new one) and both times I get power but no audio to the speakers. As recently as two months ago it worked perfectly (with the older head unit), and I've replaced nothing but the cooling fan and spark plugs since. Neither seems like it would be related. My next step is to check the speaker wiring, but what are the odds all four quit at the same time? If anybody has run into this issue before I would really appreciate hearing what you found to be the issue. Thank you so much for your time and replies!
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Old May 22, 2018 | 10:53 AM
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IF a speaker is shorted-that will often times shut down the audio output of the radio to protect itself.

I'd disconnect the speakers and hook up a test speaker- and see it that works.

If it does - then you can connect one speaker at a time and see when the audio shuts down. Then check that speaker and the wiring.

The other issue it could be- is the constant power source. Most aftermarket radios in the past 20 years just use the ignition power to switch on the radio- and the constant +12V to power the audio output. This was done to help keep "noise" out of the audio.

The standard wiring colors for most aftermarket radios- red is +12v ignition and yellow is constant (not switched off and on) +12V.

Richard
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Old May 22, 2018 | 10:54 AM
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drewwill
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Originally Posted by Richard454
IF a speaker is shorted-that will often times shut down the audio output of the radio to protect itself.

I'd disconnect the speakers and hook up a test speaker- and see it that works.

If it does - then you can connect one speaker at a time and see when the audio shuts down. Then check that speaker and the wiring.

The other issue it could be- is the constant power source. Most aftermarket radios in the past 20 years just use the ignition power to switch on the radio- and the constant +12V to power the audio output. This was done to help keep "noise" out of the audio.

The standard wiring colors for most aftermarket radios- red is +12v ignition and yellow is constant (not switched off and on) +12V.

Richard
Thanks Richard! I hadn't thought of it that way. I will definitely perform that test in the next couple days!
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