84 Bose/Delco radio function
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 10
Likes: 4
84 Bose/Delco radio function
Hey y’all. My 84 has the Bose head unit and speakers. I recently purchased it with the radio not functioning. Basically, my antenna is stuck up. I hear a click coming from behind the drivers seat when I toggle the radio on and off. All of the lights function on the head unit as well as the clock display. But when it’s on, it won’t make any sound at all. Also, when I “scan” stations, it won’t land on a single one.
I’m curious if this might just be an issue with the antenna, or if it may be a fuse/wiring issue with the speakers that’s causing the complete lack of any sound coming from the system. Anybody out there have experience with this problem? I was eventually planning on replacing speakers and head unit once I refreshed the interior but I wanna try to get some music going until that date comes around. Should I bother trying to fix this one or just go for the updated system now?
I’m curious if this might just be an issue with the antenna, or if it may be a fuse/wiring issue with the speakers that’s causing the complete lack of any sound coming from the system. Anybody out there have experience with this problem? I was eventually planning on replacing speakers and head unit once I refreshed the interior but I wanna try to get some music going until that date comes around. Should I bother trying to fix this one or just go for the updated system now?
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,371
Likes: 2,736
antenna related to broken mast plastic drive ribbon. great vid on youtube.
as for no sound, im not sure, but i have same thing on my 84 bose. will squak sometimes. hard time believing all 4 speaker mounted amps are out but im going to solder in new caps on one to see if it fixes that speaker. if yes then ill carry on with other 3.
does anyone know if the antenna up/dwn instruction goes through the bose amp? is the antenna up even when listening to a tape?
as for no sound, im not sure, but i have same thing on my 84 bose. will squak sometimes. hard time believing all 4 speaker mounted amps are out but im going to solder in new caps on one to see if it fixes that speaker. if yes then ill carry on with other 3.
does anyone know if the antenna up/dwn instruction goes through the bose amp? is the antenna up even when listening to a tape?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,316
Likes: 246
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
My experience with no sound was the Bose amp relay failing. I opened it up and cleaned points and was back in action.
The relay is mounted on the left side of right dash brace, beside radio.
I have a crash pad delete, so it was easy for me to access.
That was over 20 years ago, but my foggy memory says that relay connector may be reachable, after removing kick panel on passenger side. If so, you could reach up, remove connector, pull it down and plug in new relay. Other wise, removing radio and maybe the telltale panel, will get you access.
The antenna has its own relay and as mentioned, the nylon rod that connects to finial end is most likely broken.
I have pics of relay on my pc, after golf I will dig them up and post.
The relay is mounted on the left side of right dash brace, beside radio.
I have a crash pad delete, so it was easy for me to access.
That was over 20 years ago, but my foggy memory says that relay connector may be reachable, after removing kick panel on passenger side. If so, you could reach up, remove connector, pull it down and plug in new relay. Other wise, removing radio and maybe the telltale panel, will get you access.
The antenna has its own relay and as mentioned, the nylon rod that connects to finial end is most likely broken.
I have pics of relay on my pc, after golf I will dig them up and post.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 428
From: Ruskin, FL
You have a couple of issues going on.
The antenna is the broken plastic mast ribbon, as others have said.
The radio receiver is separate from the head unit in the dash. That receiver is where your problem lies.
The antenna is the broken plastic mast ribbon, as others have said.
The radio receiver is separate from the head unit in the dash. That receiver is where your problem lies.
