Need Help with the radio

[johnssi]

I have what I believe is a factory installed AudioVox cassette AM/FM radio in my 81 Spider. I'm having a problem with the balance not running one side of the channel. I don't really want to replace the radio as it is original and I'm wondering if anyone out there knows if there is someone who can work on it for me. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, John

[mbouse]

can't help with fixing the radio. i will suggest that those repair folks do exist.

and i will suggest that no Spiders came with factory installed radios.

[joelbert2k]

Are you sure it's the radio?
It could very well be a speaker or wire problem.

Joel

[johnssi]

Hi Mike and Joel, The radio is hand dated on the case as installed on Jan. 18, 1981, so i assumed it was installed when the car was built. I have traded wires on the back of the radio and isolated it to the unit itself, after testing the speakers. So I''m still looking for an option. Thanks for the suggestions. John

[fiasco]

Not questioning the date - but I believe radios were a dealer-installed item. Not original from the factory.

So if "original" means that it was on the car when it was first purchased, you're good to do. If "original" means it was on the car when Guido put it on the boat, you're probably out of luck, and would be better off with a new one.

-- se

[joelbert2k]

Sounds like you've isolated it to the radio. In that case you're probably SOL. Good luck finding someone that will even try fixing it.
Joel

[Foster48x]

John,
Do a Google search for "classic car stereo repair". Probably not cheap but looks like there are allot of vendors that specialize in fixing them.

Good luck!
Rick

[ga.spyder]

The radio may be 'period correct',like my Alpine AM/FM cassette,but didnt come from the factory.Since it is a dealer installed option,your money would be much better used to upgrade to something modern.The vintage unit has no real value in the car.
Craig

[amsiegel]

I agree with Craig. Upgrade. Not to sound like a salesman or endorce the evil empire but Wallyworld has a Sony stereo/ CD/ MP3 combo w 4 speakers (2-6x9 & 2-6.5) and a remote (I never understood the need for a remote in a car stereo) for 80 or 90 bucks. It even has some card in it for a free installation service (just labor).

And think of the fun you will have figuring out where to put the new speakers.

[manoa matt]

Well, I'm going to go against the grain here and agree with johnssi. Factory installed or dealer installed, it's the radio that came with the car. It might be worth fixing, but then again, it may be easier to find another one that works than go through the trouble of finding someone to fix it.

Yes, you could just go buy a cheap radio from Wallmart, and continue to purchase Chinese crap. I can't say much about that, since that is what I did two years ago. I bought the cheapest one they had, because I didn't want anyone to steal it, or cut my top, or break my window to get an expensive radio. Well, three weeks ago some ass wad stole the $50 walmart radio.

Trey Shumard aka (htchevii) was offering up a free Clarion "dealer installed" radio. I snatched it up because as Craig points out "The vintage unit has no real value in the car." Exactly why I want it. It looks period, classic, and hopefully no one will steal it. The best part is there are only three connections, power, antenna, and speakers. The bad part: Only AM works.

Anybody know a "shade tree" radio mechanic ?

[johnssi]

Thanks Rick, Craig, Matt, and amsiegle for the replies. I did google car radio repairs and most of the vendors I talked with didn't want to mess with it. I'm starting to think along the same lines as Craig... I would keep the unit for nostalgia's sake but replace it with a new, not so ostentatious unit, one with an MP3 plug to run my Ipod with is all I would need. I keep you all posted as to what I do. Currently I'm dealing with the heater control valve going kaput and leaking on my wife's feet. Needless to say she wasn't impressed. After ordering the new one from IAP, and back ordered, I've bypassed the heater temporarily, but I've now found that the drain valve in the radiator has given up the ghost and split in about 4 places so it is currently at the radiator doctor being repaired. Like I tell my wife... You've got to be an optimist to have an old car!

John

[mbouse]

well.... even pessimists like me can think optimistically once in a while, right?

[zachmac]

Thanks Rick, Craig, Matt, and amsiegle for the replies. I did google car radio repairs and most of the vendors I talked with didn't want to mess with it. I'm starting to think along the same lines as Craig... I would keep the unit for nostalgia's sake but replace it with a new, not so ostentatious unit, one with an MP3 plug to run my Ipod with is all I would need. I keep you all posted as to what I do. Currently I'm dealing with the heater control valve going kaput and leaking on my wife's feet. Needless to say she wasn't impressed. After ordering the new one from IAP, and back ordered, I've bypassed the heater temporarily, but I've now found that the drain valve in the radiator has given up the ghost and split in about 4 places so it is currently at the radiator doctor being repaired. Like I tell my wife... You've got to be an optimist to have an old car!

John

John,

I've got one of the ceramic replacement heater control valves from Performace Fiat sitting collecting dust. Never installed. make me an offer?

[amsiegel]

John

Have you thought about leaving the original radio in place and install a hidden radio in the car. There is a radio from secrect audio that is small and can be mounted out of the way. There are also Ipod car amps on E-bay which are small and you can hook up your speakers and by pass the radio, I think. http://cgi.ebay.com/mini-Stereo-Amplifi ... 414b000c62They're cheap and from Hong Kong I am sure you can find something like that at a local stereo shop.

I was thinking about using something like that in my car but there was only a hole in the dash where the radio goes and my niehbor gave me a complete stereo.

[htchevyii]

Well, I'm going to go against the grain here and agree with johnssi. Factory installed or dealer installed, it's the radio that came with the car. It might be worth fixing, but then again, it may be easier to find another one that works than go through the trouble of finding someone to fix it.

Yes, you could just go buy a cheap radio from Wallmart, and continue to purchase Chinese crap. I can't say much about that, since that is what I did two years ago. I bought the cheapest one they had, because I didn't want anyone to steal it, or cut my top, or break my window to get an expensive radio. Well, three weeks ago some ass wad stole the $50 walmart radio.

Trey Shumard aka (htchevii) was offering up a free Clarion "dealer installed" radio. I snatched it up because as Craig points out "The vintage unit has no real value in the car." Exactly why I want it. It looks period, classic, and hopefully no one will steal it. The best part is there are only three connections, power, antenna, and speakers. The bad part: Only AM works.

Anybody know a "shade tree" radio mechanic ?

Sorry Matt, I didn't realize the fm thing, I just remembered turning on the ign for the first time and being surprised when the radio started playing! I didn't really notice if it was AM of FM, (I actually was going to just throw it away, but thought it was kind of neat).