C1: Help, my Wonderbar is popping

[Dave F.]

Today my wonderbar radio started to make a popping noise while listening to the radio. It does it while driving when its bumppy, so I assume it's a loose connection. I checked the behind the radio and the speaker connections and everything looks solid. Also checked antenna inside trunk and can't see anything visablly wrong. Help, I need my tunes!

-Dave

[Roy B.]

Re: C1: Help, my Wonderbar is popping

what year??

[Dave F.]

Re: C1: Help, my Wonderbar is popping

Dang, I did it again. Sorry. It's a '59.

[Jack H.]

Re: C1: Help, my Wonderbar is popping

Could be your antenna lead-in cable has fractured its center conductor and you're hearing the antenna path 'make/break' as you drive down that bumpy road. For a quick diagnosis, buy an el-cheapo (Wal-Mart) one-piece, replacement antenna ($5-8).

Unplug the car's lead-in cable (banana plug into the rear of the radio chasis) and substitute the replacement antenna. Don't expect the signal quality to be quite as good because you'll be holding the replacement antenna in the cockpit and not at the rear of the car (away from the engine compartment) like the original.

Now, go drive that bumpy road once more. If your problems evaporate, it's time to replace the antenna lead-in cable....

[Dave F.]

Re: C1: Help, my Wonderbar is popping

Thanks Jack, I'll give that a try. I'm hoping it's not the radio itself as I took it down to a mechanic and couldn't get the radio pop (of course). Then on the way home after stopping at a gas station it started popping again. Frustrating.

-Dave