1990 Radio problem - static only
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 950
Likes: 8
From: Bowling Green Ohio
1990 Radio problem - static only
My 1990 radio is not working. Over this summer it began to make a loud thump/static type noise and then I could hear only static. For a few weeks the radio would intermittently "fix itself" and play for a number of days only to do the same thing again. Have had only static for a few months now.
I know the speaker amps were all rebuilt a year or so before I bought the car. I would appreciate any advice on anything I could look at before I think about repair or after market. Thanks in advance for the assistance.
I know the speaker amps were all rebuilt a year or so before I bought the car. I would appreciate any advice on anything I could look at before I think about repair or after market. Thanks in advance for the assistance.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
If you replaced all the amps in the individual speakers my money is on the brain for the Bose system which is located behind the passenger side dash. Its called the CDM
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,511
Likes: 1,297
From: Windermere FL
The one on my 90 bit the dust a couple months ago. I had previously rebuilt it. For a bit more $ I just junked the whole setup and went with a modern system. Yeah, PITA to do, but I don't miss the 20 year old Blose.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 285
From: Puyallup Washington
QUOTE "Over this summer it began to make a loud thump/static type noise and then I could hear only static. For a few weeks the radio would intermittently "fix itself" and play for a number of days only to do the same thing again."
My radio in the 1991 did the same thing. Now it has a Kenwood and 4 new speakers. The radio is just AM/FM/CD disc but it will play with an MP3 player or a flash drive. It sounds better than the Bose and cost just $ 600, installed. I took it to the radio shop in the late morning and picked it up in the afternoon. It was really very easy. Then I sold the radio head, all 4 Bose speakers and the 2 front amps, which were almost new, to help defray the cost of the new system. I am now happy when driving along listening to CDs., not static.
My radio in the 1991 did the same thing. Now it has a Kenwood and 4 new speakers. The radio is just AM/FM/CD disc but it will play with an MP3 player or a flash drive. It sounds better than the Bose and cost just $ 600, installed. I took it to the radio shop in the late morning and picked it up in the afternoon. It was really very easy. Then I sold the radio head, all 4 Bose speakers and the 2 front amps, which were almost new, to help defray the cost of the new system. I am now happy when driving along listening to CDs., not static.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
My 1990 radio is not working. Over this summer it began to make a loud thump/static type noise and then I could hear only static. For a few weeks the radio would intermittently "fix itself" and play for a number of days only to do the same thing again. Have had only static for a few months now.
I know the speaker amps were all rebuilt a year or so before I bought the car. I would appreciate any advice on anything I could look at before I think about repair or after market. Thanks in advance for the assistance.
I know the speaker amps were all rebuilt a year or so before I bought the car. I would appreciate any advice on anything I could look at before I think about repair or after market. Thanks in advance for the assistance.
They are up behind the glove box somewhere and not the easiest to get to but many have done it.
PM me if your interested.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 950
Likes: 8
From: Bowling Green Ohio
Thanks everyone for all of the information. From all that I have heard it looks like I may be leaning toward a new system. I hate to do it if only from a "pure stock" standpoint. The car only has 20k and has never been modified. Maybe I am being too sentimental....
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: macomb michigan
aftermarket, just do it 
crutchfield.com great service get the harness that just plugs into gm harness it still will use the bose speakers leave cdm in its place.
crutchfield.com great service get the harness that just plugs into gm harness it still will use the bose speakers leave cdm in its place.
Last edited by jett40; Oct 21, 2009 at 11:28 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,933
Likes: 103
From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
In my Corvette photos on the left you can see the system im running. An AVIC Z series Pioneer with Sirus, Dvd Player, Nav, Ipod intergration, Voice Command, Blue Tooth, rear camera etc etc. Its time to let go of the almost 20 year old radio system lol
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
