When I purchased my car it had the stock GS setup (Analog tuner, tape) When I turned it on I could hear the speakers click in but no sound output ever. I purchased a new one here on the forum GSL type (digital tuner, tape, EQ) along with the joystick. I hooked it all up all the lights come on, tape rewinds, fast forwards, and ejects, I can change channel. None of my stations are saved after turning the stereo off. And still NO sound. I can hear them click in, but no sound. The repair manual says it's a bad unit, but it was sold as working and I don't think both of mine would be dead in the same way.

 

I dont know much about anything but heres problems i had with mine.
1. wire to atenna was shot.
2. the wiring to my radio was fucked
3. after fixxing those 2, 1 winter went by and there was water in my radio and it burnt out.
(dunno if that helps at all. lmao)
sounds like the wiring. if it doesnt save the stations its like not keeping power when its off.
theres 2 power wires one for clock + memory and 1 of like it to make sound and do everything else -.- if im wrong w/e aim me if u need anything

 

when i bought a defective unit i smelled it and it smelled burnt. not so scientific but pretty sure it wasnt working. sometimes radios can be a hit or miss especially stock units since they are so old and used. maybe you can take it to a radio repair shop if any exist and have them take a look at what could be wrong with it. or it may be easier to ask around and scavenge the junk yards and cop another system and try plugging those in.
to save a radio station you hit the mem button and then press a number. does it save but whenever power shuts off the preselected stations get erased? there is a constant power thats suppose to plug into the radio which is a single flat pin connector.

hope this info helps. good luck with your restoration! it took a few tries for me to piece together the same system that was stolen from my car.

 

You mentioned the wire to the antenna could it have anything to do with the fact I don't have a power antenna?
That is how I was saving channels and yes the flat brown wire is connected in the back.
Any other ideas cause when I bought the unit last week he said it did work and everything else does meat the description so I assume it does work.

 

have you tested the amplifiers behind the bins?

 

If you get no sound from playing a tape, it's nothing to do with the antenna.

Lack of retaining stations indicates there's a line from the battery to the radio (through a fuse) that's not hooked up.

If there are separate amplifiers, that's definitely the place to start - - especially since you've had two different head units with the same fault.

Essentially, you need to look for the common point that can cause all the symptoms, then work backward.

 

Are the other components on the constant power wire (dome light, lighter?) working? you may have a short there. otherwise follow DivinDriver's advice

P.S. you can find the wiring diagrams at www.foxed.ca

 

Dunno bro mines not power antenna but yes it does sound like the wiring not much else it could be unless something is fried inside even then im a lot less help when mine blew i ripped out out went to target got a 100 dollar sony one

 

I have not tested the amplifiers, how would I go about doing so?

"Are the other components on the constant power wire (dome light, lighter?) working? you may have a short there"

No, they are not my interior dome and hatch light, have never worked and my clock resets it's self every time I turn off the car.

I was looking under my dash at the wires and I think I may have found a possible cause. My light dimmer the "roller" is missing, though the plug is still there and the black is left alone, but the two reds are stripped and twisted together.

I was testing all my other lights after reading this and when I tried to use my four way flashers the fuse for it blew and every time I put another in it goes as well

 

You definitely have a short (possibly 2 not sure if the flasher and/or dimmer are on the same circuit as the radio), you need to download the wiring diagram for your car year from the site I gave you (there were some changes from year to year) and unplug ALL the components on the circuit you need to test then put in the fuse and start plugging the components back in until the fuse blows again. That will tell you where the problem is. If the fuse blows with everything unplugged then your short is likely somewhere on the wiring between the fusebox and one of the components (this can be a huge PITA). When the same thing happened to me the short turned out to be in the lighter itself (gets corroded after 20+ years).

good luck,

 

Well I just disconnected what was left of the old dimmer, used some contact cleaner on the wire going to the fuse for the hazards. Put everything back and I have it turned right on with some nice 80's music. Also now Lights, Clock, 4 Ways work. All is good except I have no lights behind my dash which I'm assuming is from the removal of the old dimmer cause they worked beforehand. So now I just need to find one there's one on ebay for 50+shipping ! so I'm trying to find cheaper. The only junk yard here that has a first generation already had the dimmer pulled. Thanks a Bunch

 

Time to upgrade.

You can get a descent head unit for $100 bones.

With some new speakers you'll be happy. Only the GSL-SE system has impressed me when they came out.

 

Well the head unit is working along with the joystick and amps, but the speakers are junk. The front ones are blown and sound like junk unless faded to the rear. So when I get some money speakers are on the list, but not before a new dimmer.

 

Hey, progress is progress. You're gettin there.

 

Glad to hear that you solved your problem. Faulty wiring are a pain to track but good to see your woes were easily found and taken care of. Also another good this is that your amps and everything else is in working order.
Here is a link to gsl-se addict's for sale page https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-rx-7-1979-1985-parts-101/fs-s2-black-interior-parts-cc-shorty-shifter-778018/ and a quicker way for you to get to the for sale section from here. I just bought a cruise control switch from him so hopefully he might have a dimmer switch for you. I am sure many other members have spare parts to sell or give to you. Enjoy that era pristine premium sound system. These parts are getting more rare!