Why do OE radios stop working?

[87BlazeLS]

Kustom kyle, Have you checked the obvious electrical connections like speakers, power connection (fuse)
even the antenna . all are suspect. The mast as well on the fender. The antenna may be there but how
good is the lead running from it to the back of the radio.??? These also have been known to pull out.
Or get chewed by critters in difficult to see areas.

 

[565bbchevy]

This is in a 1986 Regal Limited, I'm guessing it's a "DIN" style. .

Many times the later GM model radios are mistaken for double or single Din when actually they are 1.5 Din which is an oddball size with very little affordable aftermarket support.
Single Din is the easiest replacement using adapters that bolt right in that your new radio mounts to and most car kits come with a "plug and play" wiring harness that adapts your new radio to your existing wiring, these can easily be installed by a novice.
Single Dins are also very affordable and they not only offer a wide selection of options to play music they come with far more power that will help aftermarket speakers sound better.
Crutchfield has stereos for your car as low as $55 shipped that comes with the adapters and wiring harnesses.

 

[87BlazeLS]

That is why I go to them for stereo's. Great company. Many times if you purchase up to a certain
value unit they throw in free S&H and all the adapters and wire harness for free.. I think the min
is like $99 sometimes and others it will be around $129.

It depends on the brand you pick. but checking it out is worth the effort.

 

[kustomkyle]

The antenna very well could be part of the problem. It never had a mast, it is a power antenna car, I would assume that it was lost in a spinner car wash the previous owner took it through. Though, the original radio, and #2 (which is the higher option type with equalizer knobs) both worked and had decent reception without a mast.

Basically, #1 stopped working completely overnight years ago. Cassette player would accept cassettes, but never would play them or eject them.

#2 was fully functional for a month or two, but the cassette player started to play fast like it was stuck in fast-forward mode. Then the clock went haywire. Then the radio itself wouldn't work at all. Occasionally I would try it, sometimes there was reception (static), but most times nothing. Maybe once every other month it will pick up a few stations, but will gradually turn back to just static then nothing.

 

[87BlazeLS]

That sounds like a sickness thats too much to come back from the dead.
I would If I was you go with an after market radio. You'll be listening to tunes
and playing DJ in no time. The nice thing about the Crutchfield site is that
you can put in your cars info and it will give a list of models and brands that fit
the stock opening. Based on low to high $. And power levels, options ,ect.
Even if you do not buy from them you can pickup a make and model of what you like
from another vendor. Like amazon.com.

also, Check your speakers dude. If they are circa 1986 they may be toast.
Back deck are 4x10 6x9 can be made to work and front dash are 3".
The Speakers you can get in coaxial, or triaxial, Polk Audio DB series are fantastic
and not too bad money wise.

 

[87BlazeLS]

That sounds like a sickness thats too much to come back from the dead.
I would If I was you go with an after market radio. You'll be listening to tunes
and playing DJ in no time. The nice thing about the Crutchfield site is that
you can put in your cars info and it will give a list of models and brands that fit
the stock opening. Based on low to high $. And power levels, options ,ect.
Even if you do not buy from them you can pickup a make and model of what you like
from another vendor. Like amazon.com.

 

[kustomkyle]

I'll have to check out what the options are out there. Honestly though, the radio doesn't get used much. I'm more into getting everything functional so that if I feel like using something, I have the option.

Most aftermarket radios are like those goofy aftermarket steering wheels people put in their cars though. Yuck. The original ones looked in line with the rest of the interior/instrumentation.

 

[pontiacgp]

I have 2 alpine 9835s, one for my GP and one for my winter vehicle. These radios came out about 12 years ago and are still working perfectly..I can't play a cd in my GP however cause the suspension is hard and makes the cd skip but I have XM so no problems. I wouldn't buy a new Alpine radio though

 

[foxtrot]

I sort of agree with you with regards to the look of an aftermarket radio in a gbody. It really does look a little out of place and does not match the retro gbody style. With this in mind, crutchfeild does stock a 1.5 radio that matches the gbody style. I think it's actually called 'retrosound'. Even if you don't think you'd want to make a purchase, you should check it out.

By the way, the issues with your current #2 radio sounds like the capacitors are bad..

 

[foxtrot]

1.5 din radio that is.