84-7GSL

I want to retain the stock appearance of my 84 GSL. The stereo cracks when the volume is adjusted and the speakers in the car have been replaced. Can anyone tell me about the feasability of repairing the stock stereo. Will a stereo shop be able to fix/get parts for this thing?

partsguy74

No need for a stereo shop.. Go to radio shack and ask them for electronic cleaner. It's a special lubricant you can spray on potentiometers (volume controls etc.) and will get all the dirt and dust that build up and cause the crackling..

Man, I'm showing my age.. LOL

84-7GSL

Thanks for the info. I was told WD-40, and I tried that and didnt really help. I will get the stuff at Radeo Shack and try that.

64mgb

iTrader: (1)

No, don't use WD-40. partsguy is right, get some pot cleaner. You'll have to take the covers off the stereo to get to the pots. Just find the openings in them, spray some cleaner in, and work the controls back and forth several times. That should take care of it. You can also use it on switches.

nevarmore

This is secondhand knowledge, use at your own risk: If the cleaner doesnt work take it apart (CAREFULLY) and hit all of the connections with a soldering iron. Reheat and soften up the solder. Its called a 'cold solder joint' and happens with older electronics. By reheating everything youre essentialy freshening up the connections.

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

pot cleaner, didn't they use that in the 60's,LOL. rx7doctor

IanS

iTrader: (4)

Wouldnt turning the volume up and down multiple times (with radio off) clean up the connections? I thought that it was a simple dirt buildup in there and when moved around more than normal it would essentially clean itself off.

Bob Holton

No That last wont work

64mgb

iTrader: (1)

I figured someone would have to make that comment LOL

No, once they get dirty they need to be cleaned with a spray cleaner. It works nearly every time, unless they are so far gone that they can't be cleaned. Sometimes you can improve them just by working them back and forth, but the problem will return if you don't clean them properly.

This is a possiblity, but not likely. The scratchiness he describes is almost always from dirty volume controls (potentiometers (pots)).

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

hmm.. this is good info, I was wondering about that myself. Now if someone could figure out how to get the stereo apart and post some pics we'd be all set.

But as it is, I'm going to archive this anyway.

Jon