Dead radio :what to look for

[Luc Bernier]

Bought the car knowing That the blaupunkt radio hasn't been working for many
Years

What should I look for in trying to
1- see if i can save it and make it working again
2- see if it's the radio itself that' dead
3- see if I can just replace it by a newer one

In brief, I need to Know what is the problem
Thanks

[dad911]

What are the symptoms? Dead? Poor reception? No audio?....etc.

If it's totally dead, see if it's getting 12 volts.

[Bob Kontak]

The radio is fed from the ignition switch. You can find it in this partial diagram. Terminal R for the 82 SC.

[djcdmv]

I don't know if the older one's are the same, but I checked the fuses in the front 20 times and then finally figured out the radio had it's own fuse in the back of the radio.

[masterdave]

+1 for checking the radio fuses, The first thing I would do is get under there, and run a jumper wire directly to the radio form the battery. Put A fuse in the line and a switch but, this will let you know that you are for sure getting 12V to the radio. If it still does not work then chances are the radio is toast. I would not throw it away just yet, but if you are looking to just listen to music, change it out. There are many good modern radios out there that allow you to hook up an ipod which for me at least, is quite a nice feature. Personally I do not think that radio modifications change the value of the car but im sure there are people out there who look for the car being all original.

If you really want the car to stay all original then you may be able to have the original radio repaired. I dont know about this but in today's world im sure its possible. Something that I have always though about doing is a modern radio with the original face. I dont listen to or use my car radio for AM/FM since it has an ipod jack. So one of the things I have though about doing is building a custom 12V stereo audio amplifier just for my Ipod output and hiding it behind an original blaupunkt face.

Regards
Dave

[porwolf]

I am still in the process of reviving my original 79 "Porsche CR" radio. After the car sat in the garage for 16 years the radio would short out the radio in-line fuse whenever turned on. I traced that problem to a couple of capacitors near the power line input on the circuit board. I replaced them and the radio turns on normal. There is still a major problem with the amplifier stage. I can hear radio stations faintly only though the tuning seems to work. I will keep working on it. Those radios are kind of rear.

[bfunke]

Wilfred Wilkes up in Pennsylvania is a whiz with old Blaupunkts. He does great work and his prices are fair.

[Luc Bernier]

thanks for these advices

[djcdmv]

Vintage Radio Shop
Wilford Wilkes Sr
101 Swoope St, PO Box 103
Brisbin, PA 16620
814-378-8526