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1963 cadillac poor radio sound

Started by Tonyv_73, July 11, 2017, 09:42:54 PM

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Tonyv_73

Okay so here's the story.  I have a 1963 cadillac with factory AM radio,
2 years ago I installed a Redi-rad, so that I can play music from my phone without modifying the car. The car sat undriven for about a year. I went to start the car up and drive it and I noticed my radio sound like crap. I can't really describe what it sounds like other than crackleing.  At first I thought maybe the speakers cramped out, but I tested a new speaker and it also sounded terrible. Then I thought maybe the Redi-Rad went bad but I tested the radio without it and even the radio single just sounds like crackle. I also tested the Redi-rad in another car and it operates like it should.  Does anyone know of any transistors or capacitors that need to be replaced in the radio? Also a diagram would be helpful also. The shop manual has nothing on radio repair
1963 Series 62 Convertible
1965 Eldorado
1966 Calais Sedan
1970 Fleetwood Brougham
1970 Wildcat
1970 Coupe Deville
1973 Eldorado Convertible
1974 Coupe Deville
1976 Coupe Deville
1981 Eldorado Biarritz
1985 Eldorado Commemorative Edition
1991 Brougham
1993 Eldorado 4.9
1996 Fleetwood Brougham
2006 XLR
2006 DTS
2014 XTS

Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373

First thing I would do is to pull all the wiring and clean the connections. May have some corrosion. Unless it has been changed the speakers probably just ground thru the frame so very easy for a little corrosion to mess things up.
Jeff
Jeff Rosansky
CLC #28373
1970 Coupe DeVille (Big Red)
1955 Series 62 (Baby Blue)
Dad's new 1979 Coupe DeVille

russ austin

The rheostat to the volume is dirty.   Get a can of electrical contact cleaner and spray it down the volume shaft. the knobs will need to be removed. An allen set screw holds the knob on.
R.Austin

Tonyv_73

Volume knob isn't the problem, I've already cleaned it, and the speakers look to be perfect, no rust, clean connections, I tested another speaker in the car and it gave the same issue.
1963 Series 62 Convertible
1965 Eldorado
1966 Calais Sedan
1970 Fleetwood Brougham
1970 Wildcat
1970 Coupe Deville
1973 Eldorado Convertible
1974 Coupe Deville
1976 Coupe Deville
1981 Eldorado Biarritz
1985 Eldorado Commemorative Edition
1991 Brougham
1993 Eldorado 4.9
1996 Fleetwood Brougham
2006 XLR
2006 DTS
2014 XTS

Mike Josephic CLC #3877

Have you checked the antenna connections to insure they are tight and
without corrosion?  AM is especially sensitive in this regard (much more
than FM).  Check both the antenna connection side and the radio input.

Another thought:

Has the radio ever been rebuilt?  Could be a bad tube, capacitor, or other
component.  The only way to find this out is the pull it and have it tested.

For these to last 54 years without an overhaul is expecting a lot!  I had my
'55 with the "wonder-bar" totally rebuilt some years back and it was like
getting a new radio.  Cost me $600 about 8 years ago.

Mike
1955 Cadillac Eldorado
1973 Cadillac Eldorado
1995 Cadillac Seville
2004 Escalade
1997 GMC Suburban 4X4, 454 engine, 3/4 ton
custom built by Santa Fe in Evansville, IN
2011 Buick Lucerne CX
-------------------------------------
CLCMRC Museum Benefactor #38
Past: VP International Affiliates, Museum Board Director, President / Director Pittsburgh Region

Jason Edge

#5
Other than what has been mentioned I would also check the fader speaker control (ring on right behind tuner/antenna control knob). I have a blank spot on mine where it seems both speakers want to fade out. There is no crackling on mine and probably not your issue, but might be worth adjusting yours from rear to front and back and cleaning that tuning knob if not already cleaned. Other than that and what has been mentioned it probably needs to be pulled, checked and refurbished. In the interim I have a good, tested 1963/64 AM w/ Wonder tested, working for $150 ($125 for CLC 1963/64 Cadillac Chapter  Members). You can see it with a video at this link on my Facebook Parts Page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1206519829395723.1073741998.381612128553168&type=1&l=04ae709d2e 
If interested send email to jasonedge@nc.rr.com with shipping address.
Jason Edge
Lifetime Member
Executive Vice President
CLC 1963/64 Cadillac Chapter Director - www.6364Cadillac.com
CLC Carolina Region Webmaster - www.CRCLC.org
CLC MRC Benefactor
email - jasonedge64@outlook.com
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