86 Radio Static
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Joined: Sep 2008
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86 Radio Static
My 86 radio has static 99% of the time AM and FM. My biggest fear was replacing or repairing all 6 speaker amps. But, on occasion, I get lucky and tune in to a station and it's clear as can be. If had back speaker amps, I'd always have static. So, any ideas what might be the problem; Antenna? Tuner? or the reciever behind the breadbox?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
You say you have six speakers in your 86? Is it an aftermarket radio? The stock Bose only had four speakers. The dash pad has two areas for speakers, but I've never ever seen any installed there. The stock power antenna has a ground strap attached to it in the drivers side wheel well. Check the connections there. These were never really that great at being static free. You can eliminate some, but not all of it.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 5
does your clock keep time?
My Bose does the same thing, but the clock looses time. I was thinking about replacing it with a Bose cd deck from a camaro. The local wrecking yard will sell one for $35. I found this link on youtube.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
The original poster's symptoms indicate bad electrolytic capacitors in the Bose amplifiers. The electrolyte dries out over time and the capacitors stop working.
It's fairly simple to replace the electrolytic capacitors with tantalum capacitors and the problem will be gone forever. Experience with reworking PC boards, i.e., removing and soldering parts is required.
Last edited by Cliff Harris; Feb 1, 2013 at 01:18 AM. Reason: Added picture.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
[QUOTE=Cliff Harris;1583003081]That's because you didn't look at a car that doesn't have a Bose. Mine has a Delco radio and there are speakers in the dash pad, none in the doors:
I didn't realize this. I never noticed a Delco radio setup in a C4. I gotta get out more!
I didn't realize this. I never noticed a Delco radio setup in a C4. I gotta get out more!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,298
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
I'm leaning towards the head unit. There is no separate tuner behind bread box, everything is in the head unit.
Try moving the sliders and dials to see if static gets better or worse.
FWIW, here is the radio schematic from my 86 service manual.
http://dankai.shawwebspace.ca/asset/...2155/radio.pdf
Try moving the sliders and dials to see if static gets better or worse.
FWIW, here is the radio schematic from my 86 service manual.
http://dankai.shawwebspace.ca/asset/...2155/radio.pdf
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
Lots of good info. Thanks. As for do I have six speakers, maybe not. I assumed there were speakers in the dash but you are probably correct about being a "place" for speakers. Turning the tunner doesn't seem to make things better or worse. I'm leaning towards the poor ground on the antenna since on rare occasions, the sound is clear and maybe that's when it makes good ground. As for the bad capacitors; if that's the case, wouldn't I never get clear sound? There, I think I covered most of the questions asked in your responses. Keep them coming. As soon as it warms up a bit, I'm going after the antenna ground first since that's the easiest. But today it was 8 degrees and even though it's garaged, it's not a heated garage.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
That's because you didn't look at a car that doesn't have a Bose. Mine has a Delco radio and there are speakers in the dash pad, none in the doors:
The original poster's symptoms indicate bad electrolytic capacitors in the Bose amplifiers. The electrolyte dries out over time and the capacitors stop working.
It's fairly simple to replace the electrolytic capacitors with tantalum capacitors and the problem will be gone forever. Experience with reworking PC boards, i.e., removing and soldering parts is required.
The original poster's symptoms indicate bad electrolytic capacitors in the Bose amplifiers. The electrolyte dries out over time and the capacitors stop working.
It's fairly simple to replace the electrolytic capacitors with tantalum capacitors and the problem will be gone forever. Experience with reworking PC boards, i.e., removing and soldering parts is required.
How about posting some how to "Cliff" notes and photos so we can figure out how to do this improvement ourselves.
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Joined: Aug 2011
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my dad had the same issue for a while after he got the head unit switched to a more modern one. the idiots at best buy or where ever didnt hook the antenna back up to the head unit. check that first, then go start spending
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 55
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86 Radio noise
Thanks again for the help and if anyone has any addition suggestions, I'm still listening.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
The main difference between a Bose system and a "regular" radio is that each speaker has its own amplifier in the enclosure.
When I was shopping for my '86 I listened to both the Delco and the Bose. My untrained ears couldn't tell the difference and I figured any differences would be even less important at highway speeds with road noise, wind noise, squealing passenger noise ;-), etc. I didn't think the Bose was worth the extra cost so I ordered my car with the Delco radio.
Since I don't have a Bose system, I don't have a "subject" to experiment with. However, there is this article, which seems to be pretty old as the photo links are broken and they talk about buying the capacitors from Radio Shack (I don't think they still sell electronic components), but you should be able to get them at an electronics parts store.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/articl...se-Amp-Fix.php
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...s/viewall.html
When I was shopping for my '86 I listened to both the Delco and the Bose. My untrained ears couldn't tell the difference and I figured any differences would be even less important at highway speeds with road noise, wind noise, squealing passenger noise ;-), etc. I didn't think the Bose was worth the extra cost so I ordered my car with the Delco radio.
Since I don't have a Bose system, I don't have a "subject" to experiment with. However, there is this article, which seems to be pretty old as the photo links are broken and they talk about buying the capacitors from Radio Shack (I don't think they still sell electronic components), but you should be able to get them at an electronics parts store.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/articl...se-Amp-Fix.php
http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...s/viewall.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,493
Likes: 475
From: New Jersey
I believe that the OP is saying that the issue is related to his radio reception, rather than an issue with crackling/popping/noise through the speakers.
Gotta have love for an original owner 86! Impressed.
Gotta have love for an original owner 86! Impressed.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 55
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I not only know what a casset is
I remember when 8 track was introduced. Been around a while.