factory radio won't work!!

jeffw · Post by **jeffw** » February 4, 2007, 3:38 pm

I have a 1963 f.100 and my AM factory radio will not work, or tune in anything, when you turn it on the only sound it'll make is a loud hum,
the antenna is hooked up and the radio is grounded properly, just no tunes!! I know the antenna works because it is hooked up the the stero under the dash, any suggestions ???[/img][/b]

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » February 4, 2007, 4:35 pm

speaker plugged in ?
theres an antenna trim on the side of the radio
also it has tubes inside.
not many AM stations to listen to anymore.the one in my wifes 66 i listen to when im driving, for an old am it does pretty good.

jeffw · Post by **jeffw** » February 4, 2007, 7:31 pm

I'll check out the tubes, thanks for your help iceman

willy3486 · Post by **willy3486** » February 23, 2007, 1:42 pm

If the tubes are ok the trouble is probably the capictiors in the radio. I use to work on radios years ago and 40+ years will dry them out. If you know of someone that can work on electronics and has a soldering iron they can fix it for you. I don't think there are many caps in there that will need to be replaced. They look like little cans.

Lowell · Post by **Lowell** » February 28, 2007, 9:31 pm

Willy is probably right on the capacitors. if you are getting a loud hum, check the filter capacitors in the power supply first .

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » March 11, 2007, 6:20 pm

the 61 shop manual has the entire schematic of the radio, only part i really understand is the tubes but somebody who knows that kind of stuff could fix anything on the radio.

jakdad · Post by **jakdad** » March 11, 2007, 7:20 pm

It's 44 year old!!!!

Lowell · Post by **Lowell** » March 12, 2007, 12:29 pm

A tube type car radio uses a vibrator to create interupted 12 volt current which is then fed to the input of the power transformer. the output will be at least 100 volts or more. (dont know how much for that particular radio) before it is fed to the plates of the tubes it has to be filtered to remove the hum created by the vibrator . this is done by capacitors and possibly a coil . since you describe a loud hum ,it probably has a bad capacitor . Thats a good place to start but a 40 year old radio may have multiple problems. Like Ice said , a good schematic will help you trace down all of the components . If you dont have a good knowledge of electonics ,try to find someone that is experienced ,preferably one that worked on radios of that era.

willy3486 · Post by **willy3486** » May 6, 2007, 9:06 am

Somebody either correct me or agree with me on this one. I think that the tube type and the solid state/transistor will mount in the same holes. So their faceplates will swap out. I use to work on car radios when I got started in electronics. These solid state radios in the slicks are some of the best out there. What happens to cause the hum is the capacitors have a oil in them. The oil will try up after 40+ years. The capacitors are used to filter in the radio. Humming or a buzz is caused when these capacitors do not work. Seems like there are just a few "can" type capacitors in the radio,maybe 3-4 at the most. The radio has more capacitors but they are the disc type. You get someone that can solder to taake them out and change them. If I remember they are black with green lettering in these type of radio. If you do have the tube type in the long run you are better off with solid state. They require a lot less upkeep than tubes. These radios have a excellent design. Sometimes you can pick them up for a song on ebay. I thought about buying up these radios and reworking them for our members and never have. I wound need a few to start out with and haven't had the time or money to do so.