Car Audio: Nothing But Static

[afterfrancesca]

My apologies for the lack of knowledge, hoping to get some insight. I'm not an electrical guru by ANY means..

Snagged an 88 Waggy XJ with an aftermarket Sony XR-6180 cassette/radio and I refuse to upgrade (just want to keep the cassette feature honestly) but no matter what, radio or popping a tape in, it's all static. I haven't done much digging or tinkering because I don't want to make anything worse, but is this a ground issue or should I take the unit apart and clean it (surely it can't be too hard right?) or if it's toast I'll be on the hunt for more of an oem unit I suppose. Any and all help appreciated!

 

[RCP Phx]

Good luck with that! There's a reason they don't sell vacuum tubes anymore!

 

[75SV1]

Speakers? Speaker wires? Speakers get blown. And for me its a CD player. Bought a head unit for my Chevy Avalanche. Getting a CD player really limited me.

 

[RCP Phx]

Those types of drives never did belong in Jeeps. They always fail do to dirt and vibration. Today's media players don't have any moving parts and are at least 1/3 lighter and shorter, and now with terabyte thumb drives can store 1000's of songs and are WiFi, Bluetooth compatible along with hands free cell phone use.

 

[75SV1]

Well, they do sell vacuum tubes. Usually, made in Russia or the US. Audiophiles use them. Purer sound.

 

[75SV1]

I looked on line for a manual on your head unit. Possibly issue would be the amplifiers are blown. You do have the option of RCA plugs to run an amplifier. Also, it might be the wiring adapter between the head unit and the factory wiring. Check that. See if they used crimps or soldier the wires together. Soldering is better. Also, check the ground there. See if there is one directly from the head unit to something body metal. I'd see about attaching a speaker for there also, temporarily. A know good speaker.

 

[ChillyB]

Electrolytic capacitors look like little blue (typically) cans. They eventually leak and dry out. Our old stuff is old stuff. Speakers also have solder joints connecting the connector blades to the coil wires. Those joints have endured many millions of cycles in and out. Joints fracture. Rubber cone bellows also crack apart.

I just but a $100 AM/FM media radio in my 95, along with all new speakers ($25 each). It's incredible to this old guy how good $200 Can sound.

 

[PNWOLYXJ]

is that in fm mode, am mode and tape mode? If yes, check speakers and wires.. if those are known goods, replace your radio. If only on fm, it might be your antenna connection.

U can get a new Bluetooth radio and speaker combo at Walmart and other online packages for under 200 if you aren’t trying to go all out.

Me, I added the bigger screen with apple CarPlay for wonderful trail and traffic info.

Good luck!