Problem with Saturn Factory Radio

  • Thread starter Thread starter mike-rophone
  • Start date Start date
M

mike-rophone

I have a 1991 Saturn with the original factory radio. The only
modification made was to add a trunk-type cd changer.

The problem with the radio is that I am losing my right channel (both
front and rear). It works fine when I first start the car but then I
hear a "pop" from the right speakers and the sound disappears (when I
turn the balance all the way to the right I hear a slight sound).
Occasionally I hear another "pop" while I'm driving but the sound does
not return. I suspect I'm also losing quality on the left
channels...but since I'm closer to those speakers I can't say for
sure.

I did have a new alternator installed in November. Do you think there
is a loose wire (between the radio and the alternator) or is the radio
giving out after all this time? (or something else)

Thank you for any suggestions you may have.
 
Any difference if you pull the plug from the CD changer? If the radio itself
was not modified to add the changer and it was just an add-on, disconnecting
the cd changer would be the first step. If the radio was opened up and
internally modified, that would likely be the problem area.
Car radios used to be fixable. That was back when there was a good amount of
air inside them. Recent radios have so much stuffed into them, they are for
the most part unserviceable. They often are less expensive to replace than
to fix.

Is it just a problem with the radio or with the CD also?

Don't think that an alternator is a likely culprit. More than likely if
there was a problem with the alternator (regulator) that would damage the
radio, it would take out any number of other electronics first.

Oppie
--
For valid response address, remove the '1' following oppie
_________________
| I have a 1991 Saturn with the original factory radio. The only
| modification made was to add a trunk-type cd changer.
|
| The problem with the radio is that I am losing my right channel (both
| front and rear). It works fine when I first start the car but then I
| hear a "pop" from the right speakers and the sound disappears (when I
| turn the balance all the way to the right I hear a slight sound).
| Occasionally I hear another "pop" while I'm driving but the sound does
| not return. I suspect I'm also losing quality on the left
| channels...but since I'm closer to those speakers I can't say for
| sure.
|
| I did have a new alternator installed in November. Do you think there
| is a loose wire (between the radio and the alternator) or is the radio
| giving out after all this time? (or something else)
|
| Thank you for any suggestions you may have.
 
The only modification that the installer made was to solder the cd
changer connection to the antenna hookup. This was done when I
purchased the changer in November 2000. The problem occurs while
using the CD, radio or cassette. (unplugging the changer (I did unplug
the changer and it made no difference)).

Thanks for any other suggestions you may have.
 
Unless there is a common ground to both front and rear speakers on the
defective side (unlikely since most radios use two live wires to each
speaker. Speaker is electrically floating above ground). You can check the
harness for open grounds or shorts but sounds like it's time for a new
radio.

I had a radio many years back that had a common speaker ground for all 4
speakers. That ground came loose on the radio side. All 4 speakers were
still connected to each other. Result though was that I got nothing on a
monoural source since what came out of the speakers was left channel minus
right channel. On stereo was another matter. What came out was L-R so any
audio common to both channels was removed (Vocals in the music) and just
heard the instrumentals and backgrounds. Was sort of like Karaoke. Didn't
fix it for a few weeks until the novelty wore off (and my wife said I was
driving her crazy).

Oppie
 
My 98SL2 ... the radio is hard to hear ... I have good hearing ... what should
I do?
 
If increasing the volume of the radio doesn't help, then maybe look into
better speakers. My 97 is loud so my radio is mostly background music, and
occasionally NPR with the windows up and I'm on surface streets (slower
speeds).

I think a new Lexus would fix this problem, just can't remember where I put
my checkbook! (grin)
 
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