U69 Radio Fading Out on 1969 Coupe

[Nathan J.]

Hello,

First-time poster, soon to be a member. I have a '69 Stingray with a U69 AM/FM radio, and when I bought the car from my dad in May I knew he had not used the radio in a while, so I checked it out. I had a very hard time getting any sound at all. I thought first it was the antenna lead plug-in (leading to very weak reception), so I checked that out and made sure it was tight. No real difference. Here is what's happening: When I turn on the radio there is an initial time where I hear some sound (although not at a very high volume), but in about 10 seconds it completely fades out to almost nothing. When I turn the radio off again and on, the sound is mostly restored, but then fades quickly again.

I am by no means electrially inclined, but if it's something I can check on by pulling the radio and checking a few basic connections, that would be cool, but even if I can't I'd like a little guidance as to what I could do. I have seen some places online (Ward's Classic Radio Repair charges $100, some others about $250) that check and restore radios people send in, but I want to cover the bases on my end first and see if any of those places have any sort of repuration. Any help is appreciated--I look forward to soon joining NCRS. Thanks.

[David B.]

Re: U69 Radio Fading Out on 1969 Coupe

Whatever it is, my '69 does exactly the same thing. I will be interested in the replies you receive.

[William L.]

Re: U69 Radio Fading Out on 1969 Coupe

David
The best and fairest radio man I have ever delt with is Elmer Hoeferlin. He is good guy and will not stear you wrong. Give him a call at 636-926-2267 and tell him what its doing. He works late.
Bill Lacy

[David B.]

Re: U69 Radio Fading Out on 1969 Coupe

Thanks Bill.

I hope Nathan sees this too.

David

[Joe L.]

Re: U69 Radio Fading Out on 1969 Coupe

Jacob-----

I had problems as you describe on my 1969 radio from the day the car was new. The problems were especially apparent on AM----FM worked pretty well. I never had it fixed under warranty because I listened to mostly FM at the time and I didn't want them "butchering" the dash to remove and re-install the radio.

Anyway, many year later I removed the radio from the car and had it serviced by a qualified shop. It worked pretty well after that. However, by today's standards a 1969 radio is not going to sound very good.

[Tom S.]

Re: U69 Radio Fading Out on 1969 Coupe

I had the same problem with my 69, did not ever figure it out either. Sometimes it worked well for an hour or so, then other time 10-15 minutes. I gave up after replacing the grond straps on the frame and the one on the antena!Nothing seemed to help. Tom

[Joe C.]

Re: U69 Radio Fading Out on 1969 Coupe

One of the capaciators is going bad- common problem in early radios. Any reputable repair shop can fix it- try classic gauge solutions- they advertize in driveline.

[Nathan J.]

Re: U69 Radio Fading Out on 1969 Coupe

Thanks for all the insight, everyone. Much appreciated!

Now that I know a capacitor needs replacing, I now wonder about how to pull the radio. I have seen numerous postings dealing with specific issues relating to C3 radio removal, but no mention of a step-by-step process. I have the 1966-1982 Vette Shop Manual, and it does not detail how to do the job. Is there a manual out there that has steps/pics or some web page where someone has detailed the process? I can't imagine it's an easy job, so I'd like to know what I'm up against before I go taking things apart.

All thanks again--
Nathan J.

[Terry M.]

U69 Radio on 1969 Coupe R & R

Get yee the Chevrolet Factory Service Manual -- best price will be from the sponsor of this board -- see the NCRS store radio button at the top of the page. It will have step-by step - R & R with pictures and diagrams.

Also essential for removing the C3 dash is the AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual) for pictures of the location of hidden fasteners in the interior of your 1969. Available from the same source listed above.

It is an easy job, but does take time and patience. Bag and tag ALL fasteners -- mark the location they came out of. There are some dash fasteners that have critical length -- get them mixed up and you will put the long screw in the wrong hole and poke a hole in your dash pad.

[Nathan J.]

Re: U69 Radio on 1969 Coupe R & R

That sounds like a good start. The Factory Service Manual--is that the one I've seen called the "Chassis Service Manual"? I have not seen any manual with the "Factory Service" name. Thanks--the AIM is also something I've been thinking of getting, and it looks like that time has come.

[Terry M.]

Yes

Chassis Service Manual is the proper name. My bad. Sorry for the confusion.

[David M.]

Re: Yes

Do be careful of the gage/radio bezel. About half way down its length on either side of the "Corvette" logo its real thin on metal and will break if not handled with great care. It may already be broken if bubba has been in there. Over torquing the screws may break it too, so be gentile. Use a small dab or removable loctite (blue) on the screws if needed upon assembly.

[Jim T.]

Re: U69 Radio Fading Out on 1969 Coupe

Nathan I have the GM manual that is mentioned. In fact the one I ordered for my 1970 new Corvette says on the front cover 69 Corvette. The manual is also for other 1970 Chevrolets but not the 1970 Corvette. I ordered the 1971 manual when it became available. Anyway the information on how to remove the radio is basically the same in both manuals. One thing I have always wondered about is why both books have the same information about the different procedures for radio removal for the Corvette convertible and coupe. The most difficult task is replacing the two small nuts back on the studs that go into the dash from the bottom of the guage panel. I did not put them back on my 70, keep them in the ashtray as a reminder that they were not put back on. Years later I found out from Helm that a supplement was supposed to come with the 1970 manual that covered information for the 70 Corvette to be used with with the 1969 Corvette information and had them send me one.

[Terry M.]

Re: U69 Radio Fading Out on 1969 Coupe

Jim, On my 1970 the center console is slotted at those studs. No need to remove the nuts completely -- just loosen them a bit. That makes the job a whole lot easier.

[Jim T.]

Re: U69 Radio Fading Out on 1969 Coupe

Terry that is good information about not having to remove the nuts. This should of been put in the service manual for radio removal and also center instrument cluster removal. I am going to remove the radio on my 68 soon, will check and see if it has the slotted console holes for the cluster studs. Did you use the 1970 Chassis Service Manual's information for radio removal for the Corvette coupe or the more instructive removal procedures for the convertible?