The Ford Barn

46ford · 08-09-2015, 01:49 PM

The radio in my '50 hasn't worked in probably many years. I replaced the vibrator unit and a few capacitors, and a couple burned out resistors, and it works again! Probably less than $40 in parts and maybe two hours of my time.

Next project: get the Borg clock working again. The owners manual for the clock was attached to the clock with a loop of twine. "World's finest automotive timepiece" according to the label.

jack orchard · 08-09-2015, 03:56 PM

Congrats on the radio repair. Not too many people would attempt to fix a radio like that. Done in 2 hours! You are now qualified as an expert. Did you use one of the newer solid state vibrators?,...jack

Lawson Cox · 08-09-2015, 04:09 PM

Does it play 50's music? LOL

46ford · 08-09-2015, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack orchard

Congrats on the radio repair. Not too many people would attempt to fix a radio like that. Done in 2 hours! You are now qualified as an expert. Did you use one of the newer solid state vibrators?,...jack

Yes, used a solid state. Kinda wierd not hearing the vibrator until it warmed up.

I've fixed quite a few vintage radios, but this is my first car radio repair.

34pickup · 08-09-2015, 09:44 PM

Thats great. Now you can listen to all those great AM radio stations that are so popular now days.

Mike in AZ · 08-09-2015, 11:31 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

congratulation on your do-it-yourself repair....enjoy your music....Mike

Drbrown · 08-09-2015, 11:38 PM

What process did you use to determine what was defective ? The vibrator in my '47 makes noise but nothing happens. Where do you buy your parts ?

46ford · 08-10-2015, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drbrown

What process did you use to determine what was defective ? The vibrator in my '47 makes noise but nothing happens. Where do you buy your parts ?

First I did some reading online and determined which parts of the radio are most likely to fail. There are a couple resistors in the vibrator circuit, and a buffer capacitor. One of the resistors was burned (measured open) and the vibrator was stuck, probably the cause of the burnt resistor. I replaced the resistors and cap, tested the radio and nothing, but the resistors were getting hot instantly. Replaced vibrator and all was well.

The car was in such good shape I figured one component must've failed, the owner replaced and blew the fuse a couple times and gave up. Car was last registered in '72 and thankfully no one had tried to fix the radios. My best success with antique radios is on the ones no one has tried to "fix".

I buy parts online from Ebay or parts dealers, nothing special.

08-09-2015, 01:49 PM	#1
46ford Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Nottawa MI Posts: 289	Got my radio working! The radio in my '50 hasn't worked in probably many years. I replaced the vibrator unit and a few capacitors, and a couple burned out resistors, and it works again! Probably less than $40 in parts and maybe two hours of my time. Next project: get the Borg clock working again. The owners manual for the clock was attached to the clock with a loop of twine. "World's finest automotive timepiece" according to the label.

08-09-2015, 03:56 PM	#2
jack orchard Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: summerfield florida Posts: 383	Re: Got my radio working! Congrats on the radio repair. Not too many people would attempt to fix a radio like that. Done in 2 hours! You are now qualified as an expert. Did you use one of the newer solid state vibrators?,...jack __________________ Proud FNG We fixem cars. Heap Good!

08-09-2015, 04:09 PM	#3
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: Got my radio working! Does it play 50's music? LOL __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm". Last edited by Lawson Cox; 08-09-2015 at 05:51 PM.

08-09-2015, 09:44 PM	#5
34pickup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntsville Al Posts: 1,526	Re: Got my radio working! Thats great. Now you can listen to all those great AM radio stations that are so popular now days. __________________ Matt 24:36-41

08-09-2015, 11:31 PM	#6
Mike in AZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waddell, AZ Posts: 2,540	Re: Got my radio working! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) congratulation on your do-it-yourself repair....enjoy your music....Mike

08-09-2015, 11:38 PM	#7
Drbrown Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Glens Falls NY Posts: 1,267	Re: Got my radio working! What process did you use to determine what was defective ? The vibrator in my '47 makes noise but nothing happens. Where do you buy your parts ?