Sounds like the Bose amp relay. 
86 bose radio issue
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 196
Likes: 3
86 bose radio issue
I have a 86 coupe with the bose system. I have only had the car a few days. The radio will work fine, then I hit a bump and the radio acts like the antenna is disconnected.
I have been reading the forums and seem to remember that the tuner is not at the radio. I would like to check for a loose antenna wire.
Where is the tuner? Also, if someone has another idea to check for please let me know.
thanks
I have been reading the forums and seem to remember that the tuner is not at the radio. I would like to check for a loose antenna wire.
Where is the tuner? Also, if someone has another idea to check for please let me know.
thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
I have a 86 coupe with the bose system. I have only had the car a few days. The radio will work fine, then I hit a bump and the radio acts like the antenna is disconnected.
I have been reading the forums and seem to remember that the tuner is not at the radio. I would like to check for a loose antenna wire.
Where is the tuner? Also, if someone has another idea to check for please let me know.
thanks
I have been reading the forums and seem to remember that the tuner is not at the radio. I would like to check for a loose antenna wire.
Where is the tuner? Also, if someone has another idea to check for please let me know.
thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
bose
If you want to be certain,
when the radio is not putting out any sound, and it is on, and the antenna is up,
use your hand to smack the carpet area on the left knee bolster area on the passenger side.
If the radio sound comes back, it's the relay. if it doesn't, try it a second time and it should return.
replacing the relay isn't hard, you just have to part with some skin on your hand.
You take the middle dash cover off, and look through the gap where you just removed the radio from, and it's the black relay wedged in the space between the blue box and the breadbox support, mounted connector down.
I relocated it to an area that was easier to get to, but I didn't mess with altering the wires.
when the radio is not putting out any sound, and it is on, and the antenna is up,
use your hand to smack the carpet area on the left knee bolster area on the passenger side.
If the radio sound comes back, it's the relay. if it doesn't, try it a second time and it should return.
replacing the relay isn't hard, you just have to part with some skin on your hand.
You take the middle dash cover off, and look through the gap where you just removed the radio from, and it's the black relay wedged in the space between the blue box and the breadbox support, mounted connector down.
I relocated it to an area that was easier to get to, but I didn't mess with altering the wires.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 196
Likes: 3
Thanks for the info, I will check that out. I looked up the relay on ecklers. It seems to be the same type of relay that is used for the fan. I will pick one up and change it out.
Last edited by fevest; Nov 17, 2008 at 08:28 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 196
Likes: 3
If I am reading the response right, if the relay is bad there will be no sound from the speakers?
I will clarify what it is doing. I always have sound from the speakers, sometimes static, but sound. It seems to be changing stations on its own. It will be fine then will seem to be in scan mode, but will not tune stations when you turn the dial. The numbers change but the stations do not. Then it will be okay again.
As I said though, there is always some sound from the speakers.
Any ideas on this?
thanks
I will clarify what it is doing. I always have sound from the speakers, sometimes static, but sound. It seems to be changing stations on its own. It will be fine then will seem to be in scan mode, but will not tune stations when you turn the dial. The numbers change but the stations do not. Then it will be okay again.
As I said though, there is always some sound from the speakers.
Any ideas on this?
thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
If I am reading the response right, if the relay is bad there will be no sound from the speakers?
I will clarify what it is doing. I always have sound from the speakers, sometimes static, but sound. It seems to be changing stations on its own. It will be fine then will seem to be in scan mode, but will not tune stations when you turn the dial. The numbers change but the stations do not. Then it will be okay again.
As I said though, there is always some sound from the speakers.
Any ideas on this?
thanks
I will clarify what it is doing. I always have sound from the speakers, sometimes static, but sound. It seems to be changing stations on its own. It will be fine then will seem to be in scan mode, but will not tune stations when you turn the dial. The numbers change but the stations do not. Then it will be okay again.
As I said though, there is always some sound from the speakers.
Any ideas on this?
thanks
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 326
Likes: 5
From: central Florida Florida
Hi, I am having the same issue with my Bose system. When I first get in the car the stereo sounds fine, but then it sounds like it is changing channels and the time and station goes out. When you bang on the side of the console it sometimes clears up. When the steteo is working it sounds good. The vet is an 86 and has the stock Bose system in it. I have pulled the dash apart and removed the relay that was next to the blue box , but that did not change anything except for the car not starting so I am not sure what that controlled.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 196
Likes: 3
I bought a bose radio from the classified on here. Replaced the existing unit with it, and it works fine. I will get the original unit repaired at carstereohelp and then put it back in. I would leave the replacement in, but my original has a better faceplate.
