Issues w/ '86 Bose system
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Issues w/ '86 Bose system
So I bought a really clean '86 about 6 months ago and I'm slowly taking care of the known issues. One issue that I was not aware of is the static that comes out of the speakers every time I touch the radio. When I first checked out the car I never bothered to turn on the radio. Oh well...Anyways, my good friend works at a GM dealer and he told me that he can have the factory head unit repaired for under $200.00 He advised me to consult with a stereo shop for a second opinion and that's what I did. The stereo shop said that it's not a head unit issue and more of a speaker issue. He quoted me $400.00-$500.00 to remove, rebuild and reinstall all 4 Bose speakers. He said that each speaker has it's own amp and that is what typically goes bad on these cars. Does this sound right? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,528
Likes: 2
From: PA
It's true, but if you pull them yourself you can get them rebuilt for about $80 each at places like doctordons.com and Ecklers.
If you don't mind losing the original look most people just pull everything and replace with more modern equipment.
If you don't mind losing the original look most people just pull everything and replace with more modern equipment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
So I bought a really clean '86 about 6 months ago and I'm slowly taking care of the known issues. One issue that I was not aware of is the static that comes out of the speakers every time I touch the radio. When I first checked out the car I never bothered to turn on the radio. Oh well...Anyways, my good friend works at a GM dealer and he told me that he can have the factory head unit repaired for under $200.00 He advised me to consult with a stereo shop for a second opinion and that's what I did. The stereo shop said that it's not a head unit issue and more of a speaker issue. He quoted me $400.00-$500.00 to remove, rebuild and reinstall all 4 Bose speakers. He said that each speaker has it's own amp and that is what typically goes bad on these cars. Does this sound right? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Each speaker does have its own amp, but all the amps are powered through one relay. Static, buzzing at any or all of the speakers can be a result of a bad relay. Does the cassette player work? It may also be an antenna problem; broken cable or simply not connected to the radio.
The bad part is that the relay is PITA to get to. It's behind the DIC display. Get an AC Delco #158218 or Standard Motor Products #RY83 The relay is not really expensive, about $12 or so.
Also look here and then here
The bad part is that the relay is PITA to get to. It's behind the DIC display. Get an AC Delco #158218 or Standard Motor Products #RY83 The relay is not really expensive, about $12 or so.
Also look here and then here
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
What I'm hearing is not a buzzing, it's actual static thru the speakers whenever I touch the radio. If I leave the head unit alone there's no static. It's pretty annoying. The antenna works and it appears to be hooked up. The car only has 19k miles on it so I doubt that the head unit has ever been out but I suppose that it's possible. I have no way of testing the cassette player as I have not owned a tape since like 1996 LOL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
What I'm hearing is not a buzzing, it's actual static thru the speakers whenever I touch the radio. If I leave the head unit alone there's no static. It's pretty annoying. The antenna works and it appears to be hooked up. The car only has 19k miles on it so I doubt that the head unit has ever been out but I suppose that it's possible. I have no way of testing the cassette player as I have not owned a tape since like 1996 LOL
I'll also throw in an MP3 install for $25 more.
See it work
Last edited by Cruisinfanatic; Dec 2, 2013 at 09:46 PM.
