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-   2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) (https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/)
-   -   Oem radio reconditioning (https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/oem-radio-reconditioning-1105515/)

just startn 09-17-16 08:18 PM

Oem radio reconditioning
 
A few years back a gentleman mad a post regarding his stock radio getting reconditioned, adding a few features such as a aux. Support. I remember him touching base on some of the things that went on with the reconditioning process. I remember him saying the unit worked very very well after the overhaul. Does anyone remember this or can point me in the right direction? Thanks.

cluosborne 09-18-16 01:00 PM

If you're referring to my post.

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generati...mation-991812/

I did over-think the auxiliary input a bit. You can make it smaller with a single relay to cut in instead of two. The radio tuner is decent sounding and very sensitive, the full logic cassette is decent-sounding too. The non-logic is not as good in my opinion; there's no speed adjustment on it for instance. The reconditioning simply consisted or replacing burned out bulbs with LEDs and cleaning the pots with DeOxit FaderLube. My first input adapter box was too large and ungainly and the tuner failed, so I ended up going through a few more revisions.

If you're looking for a clean sound at high volume, it would be easier and better to replace the factory EQ with a Clarion EQS746 or 755 with a preamp input and plug the output of the factory radio into the input of the EQS along with a class D amp, component speakers and a compact subwoofer. I basically did that (though with a circa 1988 Clarion AM/FM cassette stereo) and I'm very happy with the results. The RX7 is not a large car and you don't need a lot of speakers or powerful amps to get good sound.

The S5 stereo went to a more conventional headunit with the cassette, tuner, preamp and amp sections integrated into one unit with a separate EQ. Unfortunately, the LCD displays on them degrade making them unreadable and parts are no longer available. Also, I wasn't impressed with the sound reproduction or output (unless they are preamp-only like the S4s).

Turbonut 09-18-16 06:59 PM


Originally Posted by cluosborne (Post 12107767)
If you're referring to my post.

The S5 stereo went to a more conventional headunit with the cassette, tuner, preamp and amp sections integrated into one unit with a separate EQ. Unfortunately, the LCD displays on them degrade making them unreadable and parts are no longer available. Also, I wasn't impressed with the sound reproduction or output (unless they are preamp-only like the S4s).

Last year had two of our S5 TII radios repaired at H.&R. Auto Radio in Warminster, PA. One had the display gone
and the other, the display gone along with a cassette problem. They repaired them both, good as new.

jjwalker 09-18-16 07:03 PM


Originally Posted by Turbonut (Post 12107848)
Last year had two of our S5 TII radios repaired at H.&R. Auto Radio in Warminster, PA. One had the display gone
and the other, the display gone along with a cassette problem. They repaired them both, good as new.

That is where the company I work for currently sends units out for repair.

Turbonut 09-19-16 05:02 AM

Certainly is a small world!

Rob XX 7 09-20-16 07:19 AM

the beauty of an s4 is you can simply remove one component and replace it with something modern. leaving the appearance of factory but gaining everything else like aux in, usb, bluetooth, outputs, etc
dont need any install kits, simply unscrew and screw the new unit to the factory chassis
I had that for years before putting gauges in the factory radio's place

jjwalker 09-20-16 07:24 AM


Originally Posted by Rob XX 7 (Post 12108296)
the beauty of an s4 is you can simply remove one component and replace it with something modern. leaving the appearance of factory but gaining everything else like aux in, usb, bluetooth, outputs, etc
dont need any install kits, simply unscrew and screw the new unit to the factory chassis
I had that for years before putting gauges in the factory radio's place

You can do this with an S5 too, just need the factory radio brackets.

PinkRacer 09-20-16 07:45 AM

I have an issue with the volume knob on mine - sometimes crackles and the right side speakers don't work in my convertible, but if I jiggle the knob they come back on - I assume it's a corroded connection or something - I may have to take it all apart. I'm trying to leave everything intact because I have the factory CD player AND cassette player in there. haha

Turbonut 09-20-16 08:36 AM

Guess you know where to send the unit if needed.

An S5 can also be adapted to modern units, but I wanted to keep the OEM radio along with the graphic equalizer.

One item I did notice is the radio itself, as far as reception, leaves a lot to be desired, so I use our "portable" XM radio
and the 7 radio tuned to a specific station and the car sounds better than new with the original speakers.

Rob XX 7 09-20-16 10:10 AM

1 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by jjwalker (Post 12108298)
You can do this with an S5 too, just need the factory radio brackets.

isnt the s5 more of a double din or din and a half?

if i remember right on mine (s4 vert ) i removed the cassette player and left everything else

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-7C6ebXeDRc/maxresdefault.jpg

Attachment 752352

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/...bb3723f3_z.jpg

Turbonut 09-20-16 04:09 PM

Yes and no as it depends on model.
The standard radio w/cassette- standard GTU, GXL, Turbo, and Vert.
The CD player optional GXL, Turbo, standard Vert.
7 band equalizer avail GTU, standard GXL, Turbo.

Similar to the '88:
9 band equalizer available SE, GTU, standard with GXL, Turbo

Rob XX 7 09-20-16 05:02 PM

just startin has a vert, so im assuming thats what he is going for

RXSpeed16 09-23-16 12:49 PM

OP, you may be referring to this post

He got it done at Factory Radio Service, Car Factory Radio Services

just startn 09-24-16 09:41 AM

My vehicle is a convertible. What I am looking for is to retain the Oem unit(s) but have them work as they should. I have 2 units, both the same ones a spare. The current radio installed works good. Everything works but when you install a CD it makes a bunch of racket but it plays. when using the volume know it crackles turning the volume up down. Little things like that. I would just like the unit gone through so it performs better. The thread I was looking for could have possibly been Landon303. I am going to contact the place RXSPEED16 just posted and see what they have to say.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...928a3c9e7f.jpg

Akaviri 09-24-16 02:43 PM

Nice thread. I purchased replacement belts for my tape player and it worked great. However now when I insert a tape it just skips between forward and reverse perpetually, and then ejects the tape after some time.

I am also interested in installing an auxiliary input. Is there a write-up or can somebody explain how to do this step-by-step? I'm not very experienced with electronics.

Here's mine:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...68d88a0bc8.jpg

Rob XX 7 09-26-16 03:17 PM

i remember the factory CD player not playing a lot of CDR's, and it skipping when you sneezed in the car

just startn 09-27-16 08:15 AM


Originally Posted by Rob XX 7 (Post 12110261)
i remember the factory CD player not playing a lot of CDR's, and it skipping when you sneezed in the car

Interesting. I mainly use the radio, hardly ever any CDs and never have hooked my phone or any other music player up in any vehicle in have had. I need to call a few of these places and get a rough quote and figure out if it's worth it or not.

jjwalker 09-27-16 08:33 AM

Rob, the S5 is in fact double DIN.

I was just saying that in order to install and aftermarket radio, you need to reuse the factory radio's brackets.

Rob XX 7 09-27-16 12:46 PM


Originally Posted by just startn (Post 12110405)
Interesting. I mainly use the radio, hardly ever any CDs and never have hooked my phone or any other music player up in any vehicle in have had. I need to call a few of these places and get a rough quote and figure out if it's worth it or not.

i use USB sticks in all my cars now no more CDs

PnoyRx7 09-29-16 09:26 PM

Surprisingly mine in my 89 vert works perfectly still.

Sometimes I run into the issue of when I first turn the radio on, it has it set to only one side of the car and then you have adjust it back to the center even if it is already set properly.

JerryLH3 09-30-16 02:23 PM

There's a thread somewhere about installing an auxiliary input that uses the CD player output. This is the route I am going to attempt, but it's still a long time coming before I can test. I have disassembled the radio and found the three wire CD audio output. Theoretically, just wire that up to an auxiliary input jack and you're good to go. The caveat is apparently there must be a CD inserted otherwise the system will not take audio from that source.


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