Need some help with radio, '71 Newport

tunaboat75

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I am in the process of replacing the dash pad on my '71 Newport and figured as long as I'm poking around in the dash I might as well take a look at why my radio is inoperative.

My Newport has just the plain AM radio and it turns on but all I get is "frequency sounds." I did get one station to come in very briefly only ONCE. When the door ajar buzzer is on all I get is speaker static. I assume that is normal? This in the only car I've ever had with only an AM radio.

So is there a way to test the antenna? There is no change with it unplugged. Or do I just have a bad radio unit? Maybe I'm better off replacing it with an AM/FM radio unit instead? Ideally I'd like to keep the car factory but I would also be open to options.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.
 
I've not worked on radios, internally, but there are a number here who have... you can try a length of wire to see if the antenna is your problem.

Also you can look through the for sale stuff here, tallhair, C Body Bob and a few others have had radios for sale. you might find a winner.
 
I am in the process of replacing the dash pad on my '71 Newport and figured as long as I'm poking around in the dash I might as well take a look at why my radio is inoperative.

My Newport has just the plain AM radio and it turns on but all I get is "frequency sounds." I did get one station to come in very briefly only ONCE. When the door ajar buzzer is on all I get is speaker static. I assume that is normal? This in the only car I've ever had with only an AM radio.

So is there a way to test the antenna? There is no change with it unplugged. Or do I just have a bad radio unit? Maybe I'm better off replacing it with an AM/FM radio unit instead? Ideally I'd like to keep the car factory but I would also be open to options.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.
Just what the hell do you listen to on an AM radio? Mozart, Pink Floyd, Tammy Wynett. It's been so long I didn't know AM still existed with it's crummy sound and no stereo. Guess you could always listen to a baseball game or Roush Lumbard.
 
funny too when FM first came out the only thing available was classical music or so my dad said
 
I am in the process of replacing the dash pad on my '71 Newport and figured as long as I'm poking around in the dash I might as well take a look at why my radio is inoperative.

My Newport has just the plain AM radio and it turns on but all I get is "frequency sounds." I did get one station to come in very briefly only ONCE. When the door ajar buzzer is on all I get is speaker static. I assume that is normal? This in the only car I've ever had with only an AM radio.

So is there a way to test the antenna? There is no change with it unplugged. Or do I just have a bad radio unit? Maybe I'm better off replacing it with an AM/FM radio unit instead? Ideally I'd like to keep the car factory but I would also be open to options.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.

You could try "trimming" the antenna. From the FSM, this is the procedure.

(1) Operate radio for 15 minutes.
(2) Extend mast type antenna 31-1/2 inches.
(3) Manually tune radio to a weak signal between
1400 and 1600 K.C.
(4) Increase radio volume to full volume and set
tone control to maximum treble (fully clockwise) on
knob controlled radios or upward position on thumbwheel
radios. Use a short screwdriver under instrument
panel and adjust antenna trimmer in bottom
right hand corner of radio chassis for AM and AM
tape radios. Behind right hand knob for Search Tune
radios. AM/FM Multiplex-Chrysler—right hand lower
corner. AM/FM-Imperial—inside tape door (right
hand side).
Adjust antenna trimmer by carefully tuning
back and forth until position is found that gives a
peak response i n volume. Maximum output indicates
proper point of antenna trimmer adjustment.
 
You could try "trimming" the antenna. From the FSM, this is the procedure.

(1) Operate radio for 15 minutes.
(2) Extend mast type antenna 31-1/2 inches.
(3) Manually tune radio to a weak signal between
1400 and 1600 K.C.
(4) Increase radio volume to full volume and set
tone control to maximum treble (fully clockwise) on
knob controlled radios or upward position on thumbwheel
radios. Use a short screwdriver under instrument
panel and adjust antenna trimmer in bottom
right hand corner of radio chassis for AM and AM
tape radios. Behind right hand knob for Search Tune
radios. AM/FM Multiplex-Chrysler—right hand lower
corner. AM/FM-Imperial—inside tape door (right
hand side).
Adjust antenna trimmer by carefully tuning
back and forth until position is found that gives a
peak response i n volume. Maximum output indicates
proper point of antenna trimmer adjustment.
I was hoping you would show up.:thumbsup:
 
I am in the process of replacing the dash pad on my '71 Newport and figured as long as I'm poking around in the dash I might as well take a look at why my radio is inoperative.

My Newport has just the plain AM radio and it turns on but all I get is "frequency sounds." I did get one station to come in very briefly only ONCE. When the door ajar buzzer is on all I get is speaker static. I assume that is normal? This in the only car I've ever had with only an AM radio.

So is there a way to test the antenna? There is no change with it unplugged. Or do I just have a bad radio unit? Maybe I'm better off replacing it with an AM/FM radio unit instead? Ideally I'd like to keep the car factory but I would also be open to options.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.


1.) Since you have the dash off, turn the radio on and try shaking the antenna lead where it approaches the connector for the radio. These were prone breaking there. If you get intermittent radio while moving the antenna lead, you have a bad connection inside of the lead.

2.) If that did not help, try checking the antenna base where it hooks to the fender. Be sure the cable is still attached.

3.) A quick check for a bad antenna or antenna lead is to attach a different antenna temporarily. If the radio then works your antenna is bad.
 
Found that I have a bad radio. For now I going to leave it in and buy a Bluetooth speaker/boom box to put in the back seat instead so I can just play music from my phone.
 
There MAY be 4 6x9 speaker holes in the rear deck sheet metal. That's what I found in our '72 Newport 4-dr sedan. Our '66 Newport came with a factory rear speaker, so I got another Chrysler factory speaker and had two back there. At least with that '66 AM radio, it sounded really good. You might see about an AM/FM unit, BUT be aware that due to the mounting angle of the radio, the pushbuttons will be upside down compared to other similar radios. The indentation to pull the button out to set the station is on the top of the button rather than on the bottom. Either way, hidden from view in their respective mounting angle.

Radios from '69-'73 Chryslers might work, but the face plate might be a little different, although of the same size.

Contrary to popular belief, AM radio is alive and well. Scott Shannon's Oldies radio show is on some of them, too.

CBODY67
 
Found that I have a bad radio. For now I going to leave it in and buy a Bluetooth speaker/boom box to put in the back seat instead so I can just play music from my phone.


You might try contacting member 3 300s, I thing he had the right radio for your car.

Dave
 
What's it look like? I have several I'm not sure where they all came from........
 
Thanks, I will try to get in touch with him.
Do you think you might be making it to Carlisle? I expect to have an Eagle for you... complete with wreath, but minus the base and spring (which I have use for).

It's going to cost you an adult beverage though...:D
 
What's it look like? I have several I'm not sure where they all came from........
IMG_5786.JPG
 
Do you think you might be making it to Carlisle? I expect to have an Eagle for you... complete with wreath, but minus the base and spring (which I have use for).

It's going to cost you an adult beverage though...:D
Thanks for remembering lol. But no it doesn't look like I'll make it there this year :( Take a raincheck on that beverage??
 
Thanks for remembering lol. But no it doesn't look like I'll make it there this year :( Take a raincheck on that beverage??
Sure, raincheck's are fine... compound interest could bring you to several beverages if this goes too long though :poke:.

PM your shipping information and I will send it after I retrieve it. I am picking up a complete header panel that by pictures, appears to be in nice shape. I'll need to remove the eagle anyhow so I don't kill it during shipping. It will become wall decor in the garage unless I somehow manage to need it someday.
 
Sure, raincheck's are fine... compound interest could bring you to several beverages if this goes too long though :poke:.

PM your shipping information and I will send it after I retrieve it. I am picking up a complete header panel that by pictures, appears to be in nice shape. I'll need to remove the eagle anyhow so I don't kill it during shipping. It will become wall decor in the garage unless I somehow manage to need it someday.
Sounds good, thanks!
 
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