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Old 07-27-2013, 10:25 PM
kylecooley kylecooley is offline
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Default '86 Ranger Radio Problems

I got an old used '86 Ford Ranger recently, and the radio (stock) has been a little finicky since I got it, and I want to know if there's anything I can do to fix it. It seems to be mostly an issue with the volume knob. When it's at too low or too high of a volume, the radio cuts in and out and gets really staticy and distorted. There's only a small window in between too low or too high where it will work. Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to fix this?
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Old 07-27-2013, 10:49 PM
1991fordranger 1991fordranger is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kylecooley View Post
I got an old used '86 Ford Ranger recently, and the radio (stock) has been a little finicky since I got it, and I want to know if there's anything I can do to fix it. It seems to be mostly an issue with the volume knob. When it's at too low or too high of a volume, the radio cuts in and out and gets really staticy and distorted. There's only a small window in between too low or too high where it will work. Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to fix this?
that radio is 20 plus years old. go get a new one lol
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Old 07-27-2013, 10:50 PM
ford4thot ford4thot is offline
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Default Re: '86 Ranger Radio Problems

X2
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Old 07-28-2013, 12:45 AM
bear_claw_91 bear_claw_91 is offline
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Old 07-28-2013, 06:40 AM
Mike In Bama Mike In Bama is offline
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There is one other thing you can do to get you by while you save up for a new radio. Go to Radio Shack and get a spray can of Electronic Contact Cleaner.

Pop the volume knob off. The metal shaft turns inside a metal sleeve. Use the straw to spray between the two while you turn the shaft back and forth quickly.

Do this several times at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions. It will clean off the carbon buildup on the wiper arm of the potentiometer (volume control).

This should buy you 6 months to a year of life for the radio. Then you just do it again. At some point the pot will have to be replaced though.

A lot of people call contact cleaner, Electronic Repairman In A Can.

2005 2.3L XL Electronics Tech since '70's
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