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1957 Wonderbar Radio issue

Started by Cadillac Jack 82, July 31, 2017, 10:25:12 AM

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Cadillac Jack 82


All:

    I seem to have an issue with my radio.  The radio was working fine about 3-4 weeks ago when I last had my car out but now it doesn't appear to work.  The power light comes on and there is a slight hum but the radio wont pick up any signals.  I also get a faint electrical burn smell too which is odd.  Is this a tube issue or has my radio reached the end of its lifecycle? 

Tim
Tim

CLC Member #30850

1959 Cadillac CDV "Shelley"
1964 Cadillac SDV "Rosalie"
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado "Sienna"

Past Cars

1937 LaSalle Cpe
1940 Chevrolet Cpe
1941 Ford 11Y
1954 Buick 48D
1955 Cadillac CDV
1955 Packard Clipper
1957 Cadillac Series 62
1962 VW Bug
1962 Dodge 880
1966 Mercury Montclair
1967 Buick Wildcat Convertible
1968 Chevy Chevelle SS
1968 Plymouth Barracuda
1977 Lincoln MKV

gary griffin

As I recall car radios of this era had a vibrator which gave them a slight hum when turned on. They needed replacement fairly often.  If you have a manual you should be able to find out how to change them. Now there are solid state units that replaced them and seem to be good  forever.
Gary Griffin

1940 LaSalle 5029 4 door convertible sedan
1942 Cadillac 6719 restoration almost complete?
1957 Cadillac 60-special (Needs a little TLC)
2013 Cadillac XTS daily driver

J. Gomez

Quote from: 57shark82 on July 31, 2017, 10:25:12 AM
All:

    I seem to have an issue with my radio.  The radio was working fine about 3-4 weeks ago when I last had my car out but now it doesn't appear to work.  The power light comes on and there is a slight hum but the radio wont pick up any signals.  I also get a faint electrical burn smell too which is odd.  Is this a tube issue or has my radio reached the end of its lifecycle? 

Tim


Tim,

Electrical smell are not related to any of the vacuum tubes, it would rather be something to do with any other components such a resistor (most probable) a condenser/capacitor, wiring, etc.

The hum you hear would be from the vibrator side which is in the high voltage section of the amplifier and this area is prone to components failures with age.

I do not think it has reach the end of its life cycle just tired  ;) it can be rejuvenated.

Good luck..! 
J. Gomez
CLC #23082

bcroe

Quote from: 57shark82
    I seem to have an issue with my radio.  The radio was working fine about 3-4 weeks ago when I last had my car out but now it doesn't appear to work.  The power light comes on and there is a slight hum but the radio wont pick up any signals.  I also get a faint electrical burn smell too which is odd.  Is this a tube issue or has my radio reached the end of its lifecycle?  Tim 

Those radios certainly are repairable, probably more so than recent stuff.  Just
needs a part; if still unmolested, a recap is in order and in fact one may be the
failing part.  Bruce Roe

Walter Youshock

They are repairable but finding a reputable shop will not be cheap.  Tube equipment is very different than solid state.  I'm surprised you haven't blown a fuse yet.

These radios were built to exacting standards and their fidelity and critical alignment--the exact moment a station is detected at its peak power--is something only a pro can do.  Unfortunately, AM radio is practically dead so those of us who want working ones may find zero stations.

My advice is DO NOT USE IT until you can get it fixed.  The '57 radio was one year and a Cadillac exclusive.  Tubes and caps are cheap.  Power and output transformers are not.
CLC #11959 (Life)
1957 Coupe deVille
1991 Brougham