I put one of those Ecklers :( Kenwood 600 Cassetee deck Radios in my 69 427 Roadster. The thing cuts out every ten minutes or so. It gets power but no sound. After five minutes or so you can turn it back on and it works ok. I have had the unit in since 10-16 now as of the last week I am getting radio reception through the tape deck and the left speaker doesn't work???? They also sold me a clock that the second hand works, but not the hours or minutes. I also purchased a ampmeter from them that is supposed to look stock, but in reality it does not match my original. :cry :cry :cry
My corvette mechanic is totally professional and totally amazing, he bench tested the equipment and said it all worked, The radio has given me problems since day one after the installation and the clock too. I got Ecklers to say that they would take the merchandise back and give me 190 dollar gift certificate to compensate for the installation of the bogus equipment. Do I need to pay my mechanic to take the bogus equipment out. I don't want to try and do it myself. A. the mechanic has my original clock and ampmeter, I have the radio. B. he is really good at what he does and I am a chef, not a mechanic or good with electronics for that matter. I guess I could ask him if it will cost me or not to destall the stuff. But he is totally busy and I don't want to feel like I am bugging him . This is what the forum is for, right? Does anyone know of where to get good authentic reproduction guages from? Anyone been in a similar predicament?

thanks,
livin :seeya

 

:confused: Do you mean that it worked OK until it was fitted in the car??
:cheers:
Paul

 

If it works on the "Bench" Doesn't that mean it was a problem with the Hook up of the stereo...?? Maybe a ground problem

 

If your stereo worked on the bench but not in the car it is an install problem and the person who did the work should be responsible for fixing it and making it right in my opinion. As far as your ampmeter and clock goes, I'd send it back for a full refund and try someone else if it dosen't look right. Maybe a used one would be better because you would know it is right.
John

 

The install of all three should be very simple if they worked out of the car they should work in the car if installed correctly. If your installer is as good as you say he is he should be able to fix it all easily and should do it for free if he is the one who messed it up in the first place. I have taken out and installed all three on my car and its really simple just a matter of reading wiring diagrams and matching colors as long as it isnt bubafied. I would go talk to installer and ask him what he will do for you.

 

I wouldn't ask him if he's going to charge you.. I would talk to him about the problem and if he can't fix it then I would return it. Speaker cutting out could be a poor wire connection at the speaker and not the unit but if his' really good he should be able to figure that out. YOU ARE NOT BUGGING HIM. You are asking him to do the job you paid him to do... but you want it done right. He's bugging you and causing you greif so I would have him do what he should to make it right and that includes removing it. The radio should come out in less than 15minutes..

 

What everyone else said, plus what they did not say:

". A. the mechanic has my original clock and ampmeter, I have the radio "

You should keep your original guages (clock and ammeter). There is no reason for your mechanic to keep these. I routinely get back the old parts if and when they are replaced. I even have a completely corroded fallen apart fuel sending unit. Maybe I didnt keep the old trans drain plug. MJ

 

Youre absolutely right MNJack. I should have kept the guages. In fact I just assumed they were in the box with my other old parts, but the mechanic must have left them out by mistake. I decided to take the plunge and try to take that puppy apart. 3 hours later I have succesfully taken out the ampmeter, clock, radio and instrument cluster bezel. It was difficult. I had no instructions, manuals, or help. I did get them out in one piece with no scratches and I am going to send all of that crap back to Ecklers. As for fixing the problems in the first place. The old broken clock is going back in. I don't really need the clock to work. The ampmeter my mechanic broke is going back in after he puts a new needle in it and the old radio and inst. cluster bezel are going back in as well. The radio wasn't broken and the inst. cluster bezel was only proven broken upon removal, when installed you cant even tell the difference. I will put in a secret hidden stereo in the back. I want all the upfront equipment to look stock wether it works or not. The car runs like a rocket ship on rails and looks fantastic, so if a couple of 32 year old guages don't work I won't lose sleep.

Thanks
livin


[Modified by livin, 8:40 PM 10/30/2001]

 

While you have the clock out get a clock rebuilt kit form on of the vendors. If you took the insturment cluster out by yourself then you can install a clock rebuild kit. I just did one this weekend and I just love looking at the clock tick away.
Good luck
John