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I have my radio out on the test bench with the antenna and speaker connected. I would like to check the radio using a 12 volt battery on my bench...there is a connector that the wiring harness plug into on the radio that has three electrical connections. Where do I connect positive 12 Volts to, Ground to , and what is the third connection for?
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Dino Lanno -
Re: Bench testing a 64 radio
If you check the wiring diagram in either the assy manual or the '63 Service manual, i believe it will answer your question. I don't have access to mine at this moment. -
Re: Bench testing a 64 radio
The third wire is for the dial light. Suggest you take off the cover to determine which of the other two is + and -.Comment
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Re: Bench testing a 64 radio
Bill, I checked and still cannot figure it out for sure, The top wire is grey positive 12 volts which is connected to all the dash lights which I assume lights the display when the headlamps are on and the radio is turned on and when the ignition is in accesory or on position, the middle is black ground and the third (bottom) is black with yellow stripe which I believe is the positive 12 volts. This B/Y wire is the connection I am unsure of and before I apply 12 volts I want to make sure. This B/Y wire terminates I think at the fuse block and connects to a brown wire. Can anyone verify that the top and bottom wires on the connector gets positive 12 volts and the middle wire is ground? (before I fry this radio!)ThanksDino LannoComment
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Re: Bench testing a 64 radio
I went through this with my 64. The best way to determine what wire is what is to go back to the other side of the harness in the car and check each connection with a multitester. Once you have done this, you can then determine where it fits in the radio harness.
One wire is indeed the hot lead, one is ground and one is for the radio illumination light. I can't remember the coloring of each. In any event, its best not to go by the wiring diagram, if you can. The safest method is to check each wire on the harness in the car with a multitester. You never know what someone may have changed or rewired in the car's past.
You really only need to determine which is the hot lead for bench testing. Attach the hot lead to the 12v power source. Then just ground the radio chassis. This should work. I have been told by knowledgable auto electronics technicians that it is best to use a 12V battery for the power source. Battery chargers and convertors can be prone to surges. Your jumper to the harness should be fused for an extra safety margin.
I have used one of those "portable" batteries with the built in jumper cables and on/off switch. This allows you to make your connections without any arcing at the terminal, which has the potential to cause the battery to explode. Once you have made your connection, just turn on the battery.
Also remember to hook up a good antenna when testing. Good Luck!Comment
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Re: Bench testing a 64 radio
Thanks Mike,
Here is my problem, the car is in the process of a frame off, the car is completely disasembled, I am jointly working on restoration of subassemblies like wiper motor headlamp motor radio etc. The wiring harness is completly stripped from the car and not one item is left in the interior execept the dash pads. The best help I could get from a fellow member who had the harness and interior in place would be to unplug the three wire connector from the back of the radio and measure voltage at each terminal for me...It's alot to ask, hopefully someone may help me out. I just aquired a correct 64 radio and want to ring out, trim it, cosmetically restore it, box for reassembly at a later date. ThanksDino LannoComment
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Re: Bench testing a 64 radio
Dino:
Normally it would be a cinch to help you out but I have just moved and am still unpacking the stuff in the house, let alone the workshop. This workshop is my dream come true - 30'x40', heated, double bay garage door with its own seperate driveway. Anyway, I'm still unpacking the stuff in the house, let alone the workshop. I'll try and get out there tonight and take a quick look at it. Hopefully, I won't have too much difficulty finding my multitester.
The winter project is getting my workshop in order.Comment
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Re: Bench testing a 64 radio
On all am-fm mid year radios: The top is the dial lamp, the center is ground(negative), the bottom is positive 12 volts radio power. Make sure you use a speaker with an output transformer on it. For safety, put a 7 amp fuse in your test wiring. The ground terminal is connected to the case,so you can put your neg. wire under any screw. MHYComment
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