Blaupunkt Reno question

Christien · Christien's Garage

I'm bench testing this unit and I have very low sound coming out. *I have 12v going to both the ignition and always-on terminals, and the ground grounded. I have proper lights, the tape deck works, everything, but I'm getting only very low level out of the single speaker I have hooked up to the left front connection. I've tried balance and fader to make sure it's not as simple as that. Does the unit require an amp? It has a DIN plug on the back for a preamp, but it's got a cap on it that looks like it's from the factory, and there's no amp under the passenger seat in my car.

zedsn · 02-25-2017, 12:18 PM

No, the volume does not require an amp for volume control. I tested mine with a car battery and all was well. Do you have the speaker connected correctly? It takes a special plug and if you have the plug maybe try and switch the + - wire and see if there is any difference in sound.

Christien · Christien's Garage

I've got the plugs, and I'm attaching bare wire to bare wire. +/- shouldn't make a difference with speakers (except for keeping multiple speakers in phase) but either way, it doesn't make a difference.

zedsn · 02-25-2017, 02:42 PM

Well if you have the correct hookup then you have a problem inside the reno with the volume control.

Christien · Christien's Garage

The volume control works - I can get it to go from absolutely no sound to about the very faint sound, and a smooth fade in between. Is there an onboard amp that could be pooched?

zedsn · 02-25-2017, 02:56 PM

The reno volume works just like a regular radio and no amplifier is needed. You have a problem inside your reno.

turbo owner · turbo owner's Garage

Send it to radioman in California, he can fix it.

Christien · Christien's Garage

I'm trying to get it open to at least have a look inside. Does anyone know how to remove the volume knob? I'm scared if I pull any harder on it I'll break it!

Christien · Christien's Garage

For anyone looking at this in the future, the knob does indeed come off. I used some anti-slip carpet underlay stuff from under one of the mats in the house to get a good grip. It took some pulling, but it came off with no damage.

86 911 Targa · 02-26-2017, 01:41 PM

Removing the upper and lower covers should
expose the volume control variable resistor.

Perhaps the wiper on the volume control is dirty.

With NO voltage to the unit, try to spray some
contact cleaner into the variable resistor while
rotating the volume control knob.

Then wait until the residual contact cleaner is well
evaporated/dry prior to placing voltage back on the unit.

Good luck,

Gerry

Christien · Christien's Garage

If it were dirty, wouldn't I hear static/crackling as I increase or lower the volume? The volume knob is working - I can change volume smoothly from absolutely nothing to the very faint signal.

86 911 Targa · 02-26-2017, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christien

If it were dirty, wouldn't I hear static/crackling as I increase or lower the volume? The volume knob is working - I can change volume smoothly from absolutely nothing to the very faint signal.

That was my only idea.

Send the unit to a shop of your choosing.

Unfortunately, repair costs for these radios
can eclipse their value.

Factory Car Audio & Stereo Repair in San Jose - Free Estimates!
^^^^^
These folks are very good.

good luck,

Gerry

zedsn · 02-26-2017, 02:33 PM

I had a reno apart a couple of years ago. They are quite complicated and in my opinion only a radio guy with a parts inventory can fix it.

rwest · rwest's Garage

Not familiar with the Reno, but just throwing this out there: any chance you have the speakers hooked up to a preamp output rather than the units built in amp? Maybe the rca end got cut off?

86 911 Targa · 02-26-2017, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwest

Not familiar with the Reno, but just throwing this out there: any chance you have the speakers hooked up to a preamp output rather than the units built in amp? Maybe the rca end got cut off?

^^^^^
GOOD Point!!!

zedsn · 02-26-2017, 02:43 PM

The 4 speakers have specific odd looking pins that can only go to where they are intended and there is a diagram on the top of the unit for install. The BEA 80 equalizer plugs into the back of the reno but is not needed for the reno to operate correctly. Some renos had equalizers with them and some did not.

86 911 Targa · 02-26-2017, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zedsn

The 4 speakers have specific odd looking pins that can only go to where they are intended and there is a diagram on the top of the unit for install. The BEA 80 equalizer plugs into the back of the reno but is not needed for the reno to operate correctly. Some renos had equalizers with them and some did not.

^^^^^
Correct-We had that BEA 80 installation early on in our '86.

Gerry

Christien · Christien's Garage

It's quite clear when you look at the back of it - between what's obviously speaker outputs and the diagram on top, it's impossible to make that mistake. The preamp output is a 7-pin DIN with a cap on it.

Unfortunately it's looking like Gerry's right - the cost of repair is usually similar to what the value of the radio itself is, so it's really only worth it if you really want the original period correct radio.