Hi All,

I am sure this topic has been covered ad infinitum on the forum. My apologies for any duplication.

I am looking at buying a low mileage ZR-1. One thing I found in looking at the car though was that the radio isn't working. No lights, no antenna movement, the clock is not on even in off mode, and turning the power on does nothing. Essentially it is a brick. I am going to look at it again soon and troubleshoot a bit. I assume the first thing to look at is the fuse. Which as best I can tell is #40. My plan is to switch out another fuse for that one and see what happens. First question, is that the right fuse to check? Second, if that does not solve the issue, what should I look for next?

I assume under a worst case scenario the Bose amp has failed and the radio unit will need to either be rebuilt or replaced. If so, can I do that at home right with a relatively minor amount of technical knowhow? As best I remember, new units are not available but that there are vendors who will rebuild them. Are those still around?

Essentially, what should I check and if all else fails, what is the best path toward getting it working again. Of note, not interested in a non-factory unit unless it uses the same faceplate and buttons.

Thanks all.

 

Wouldn't be screwing around with someone elses car. Have the owner change the fuse

 

I would have his consent.

 

Would an in-op radio cause you to not buy the car?

 

It might cause me to lower my offer price. But more looking at the future to get it working. The Bose stereos were terrible but a terrible stereo is better than nothing. Also, I like my cars to function as intended.

 

Why wouldn’t you have the owner change the fuse? If they haven’t done that, what other maintenance has been neglected?

I would just offer a price based on having to have the unit repaired and also the speaker amplifiers repaired. The speaker amps are just as likely to need repair as the head unit or main amplifier. They can all be repaired to bring it back to all original but it is not only costly but tedious to remove and replace the components.

 

https://www.carstereoremoval.com/htm...ette84_89P.htm

I'm looking to do this myself in the future, following. Please keep us posted.

 

Oh dear lord, who cares who changes the fuse?! The answer, they literally have no idea how to change a fuse. The car is a time capsule that may need a lot of de-mummification to get it road worthy.

 

Thanks. We'll see what happens. Going to go see the car again today. If it needs to be rebuilt/replaced, I don't mind the wrench time. But I do hate dealing with plastic clips and such that may snap and require the entire impossible part to find to need to be replaced.

 

Reminds me of a question I posted on a trailer towing forum about tongue weight. Someone responded with a totally unrelated response about greasing the trailer ball with Teflon grease. A Teflon grease debate went on for four pages and no one actually answered my question. I wish I had kept the link, was funny.

 

It was merely a concern about liability in these litigious times. Hell I have owners get nervous when I want to plug my Tech 1 in to check for codes. If you have no concerns, go for it.

 

There is no "Bose amp". Each set of speakers has its own Bose amp. You would still get crackling etc.

Besides the fuse, look for any indications that a rodent was in there chewing on wires.

 

Update:

After looking at it again, the fuse was clearly broken. I switched it with another fuse to test and bam, fixed.

 

I just bought my 40th with no lumbar working drivers bolster not working and the A/C control unit not functioning properly. I'll also say the radio works but the sound from it is like rocks in the bottom of a plastic bucket! The car is a 25K puff all that stuff is an easy fix I jumped on it before someone else got it. If the car is straight and clean jump on it. Those prices will only be going up