Factory radio won't stay at a consistent volume

[Ghoste]

It sort of fades away and then comes back.  What electrical component would be a likely culprit?

[A383Wing]

sounds like a capacitor inside is failing....

I got 2 AM-FM radios here that play just fine, but slowly fade out when on...then I turn off the radio and wait for a while...turn radio back on and it plays fine again, but starts to fade within minutes of being on...

I was told the part was a capacitor, but I'll be damned if I know which one or where to get one

not sure if this is what you are experiencing, but it's still possible

[Pete in NH]

I would try some good cleaner, like DE-Oxit, in the volume control first. You never know it might be as simple as that. Next there are 4 or 5 electrolytic capacitors and in a 40+ year-old radio these are the likely culprits. I would just change them all. Next in line would be a transistor that is failing and this too could be a likely cause. Less likely but, possible is a bad solder connection somewhere on the printed circuit board.

Old electronics, like old cars can be a bit of a challenge at times but fixable.

[Ghoste]

Caps sounds likely as it is more like the condition that Bryan describes than something with a pot.  (I guess I think of a volume control as having a dead zone and moving it up or down should change that?)

[Brock Lee]

Most likely the capacitors. Specifically, the electrolytic capacitors. The electrolyte inside goes bad, dries up, and sometimes even leaks out. There are only a few in these radios. You can spot them because they look like little cans. There is also a canister on one corner that contains 3 of them. Finding the same canister new is impossible, so you have to remove it, open it up and replace the three inside. Basically rebuild the canister using new caps. But ultimately, you change them ALL, not just one. This problem is common across all audio fields well into the 80's. It is easy once you know what caps to buy and if you have decent soldering skills.

Your best bet is to prepare by grabbing a Sam's Photofact manual that contains your radio. It will show great layouts of the boards and list the electrolytic capacitors inside. Then you can shop for them. Buy them, then take it out and replace them. The manual will also give you some tune up tips, though many are aimed at electronics service techs with test equipment.

[Ghoste]

Okay thanks.  I sort of suspected it could be something like that because I have some old guitars and amplifiers and there are some not totally dissimilar maladies that pop up in old guitar amps.  But at the end of it I am no electrical guy so I needed to ask. 

[nascarxx29]

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[Dino]

Mine just tends to cut out completely.  Then it'll work again after turning it off for a while.  More recently the dial no longer moves although I can hear it roll through the airwaves...but notihng solid comes through.  Yay another project!  I was just thinking that redoing everything in front of the windhield wasn't enough...   

[nascarxx29]

 Had a radio no dial movents just worked from presets.There is a  eyeglass size screw that puts tension back so you can you manual tuning again

[Alan73Charger]

Mine just tends to cut out completely.  Then it'll work again after turning it off for a while.  More recently the dial no longer moves although I can hear it roll through the airwaves...but notihng solid comes through.  Yay another project!  I was just thinking that redoing everything in front of the windhield wasn't enough...   

I just got my 73 about a week ago.  My factory radio doesn't work at all.  I was thinking about a new one till I saw those reproduction radios on Classic Industries over $600.  Where would I start trying to get this radio working? 

[polywideblock]

Alan73charger there are alternatives       I've got these for both my third gens    http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-1972-1973-71-72-73-Charger-Mopar-Dodge-USA-630-II-Radio-AM-FM-USB-Aux-iPod-/400986612557?hash=item5d5caa234d&vxp=mtr

[Alan73Charger]

Alan73charger there are alternatives       I've got these for both my third gens    http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-1972-1973-71-72-73-Charger-Mopar-Dodge-USA-630-II-Radio-AM-FM-USB-Aux-iPod-/400986612557?hash=item5d5caa234d&vxp=mtr

Thanks.  I'll check this out!  I've seen some in this price range also.  They were just less authentic I guess.  Did you put this in yourself? 

Hey check out my post in the garage section about the no start.  I uploaded a picture and had a question for you there.

Thanks
Alan

[Brock Lee]

Okay thanks.  I sort of suspected it could be something like that because I have some old guitars and amplifiers and there are some not totally dissimilar maladies that pop up in old guitar amps.  But at the end of it I am no electrical guy so I needed to ask. 

Yeah, somewhat similar. Amps have issues mainly due to the fact the capacitors are high voltage, knocking down voltages and creating DC voltages to certain sections.

These radio caps are small, more like what is inside a guitar. No high voltage caps. No worries about having to discharge them like amps. Some of those will knock you on your ass! 

Anyway, it is super simple to do and if you shop surplus parts, you can recap a car radio for under $20. If a particular value is hard to find at that moment, maybe $30. Once you do one, you will be able to do them in the future and the glass PC boards are touch. No need to worry about screwing wth delicate boards like you see today.