GMCforum
For enthusiast of the Classic GMC Motorhome built from 1973 to 1978. A web-based mirror of the GMCnet mailing list.

Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Radio cuts out.. a real headscratcher
Radio cuts out.. a real headscratcher [message #132145] Sun, 26 June 2011 20:17 Go to next message
RF_Burns is currently offline  RF_Burns   Canada
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
Senior Member
I put a new Kenwood radio in last summer as my old radio did not have an Aux-in (for my XM radio) or USB.
The audio would cut out on it, but I didn't think too much of it cause I was using XM and it would cut out on its own speakers.

This summer I plugged in my Ipod and it cut out too! So more investigating I discovered it cuts out on all audio sources, but only when the engine is running. I checked the power with my 'scope for noise and stability and yes there is a bit of alternator noise so I installed a choke and a filthy big capacitor and still cuts out.

So I ran a power and ground out to the battery terminal in front of the passenger... still cuts out. Moved power to the house battery... still cuts out.

Today I remembered to bring a small gel cell home and hooked it to that... and it still cuts out!

When I say the audio cuts out, its more like it mutes the audio, no sharp "click", radio does not go through a power-up cycle, just mutes then back again every few seconds, only while the engine is running.

Can't make it happen with any vibration or movement of wires and it mutes all 6 speakers.

It works perfect with the engine OFF

I'm dumb founded at the moment.


Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
Re: [GMCnet] Radio cuts out.. a real headscratcher [message #132146 is a reply to message #132145] Sun, 26 June 2011 20:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
Does the radio have two 'hot' leads, one for battery and one for ignition?
When it quits, do the other functions quit, or no?  i.e. does the display change at all (stereo indicator goes away, ect)?
What model Kenwood?
 
Gonna be a fun chase.
 
--johnny

--- On Mon, 6/27/11, Bruce Hislop <bruce@perthcomm.com> wrote:


From: Bruce Hislop <bruce@perthcomm.com>
Subject: [GMCnet] Radio cuts out.. a real headscratcher
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Monday, June 27, 2011, 1:17 AM




I put a new Kenwood radio in last summer as my old radio did not have an Aux-in (for my XM radio) or USB.
The audio would cut out on it, but I didn't think too much of it cause I was using XM and it would cut out on its own speakers.

This summer I plugged in my Ipod and it cut out too!  So more investigating I discovered it cuts out on all audio sources, but only when the engine is running.  I checked the power with my 'scope for noise and stability and yes there is a bit of alternator noise so I installed a choke and a filthy big capacitor and still cuts out.

So I ran a power and ground out to the battery terminal in front of the passenger... still cuts out.  Moved power to the house battery... still cuts out.

Today I remembered to bring a small gel cell home and hooked it to that... and it still cuts out!

When I say the audio cuts out, its more like it mutes the audio, no sharp "click", radio does not go through a power-up cycle, just mutes then back again every few seconds, only while the engine is running.

Can't make it happen with any vibration or movement of wires and it mutes all 6 speakers.

It works perfect with the engine OFF

I'm dumb founded at the moment.
--
Bruce Hislop,
S. Ontario Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI and ESC.
Hubler front end installed and WOW! !:)
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist



Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: Radio cuts out.. a real headscratcher [message #132149 is a reply to message #132145] Sun, 26 June 2011 20:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
RF_Burns is currently offline  RF_Burns   Canada
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
Senior Member
Yes it has 2 power leads, both connected to constant power.

Can't do too much troubleshooting as it mutes for only a second or less.

It has a Mute, but its not connected and is insulated as it came from the factory.

Likely a new radio is the easiest fix!


Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that

[Updated on: Sun, 26 June 2011 20:33]

Report message to a moderator

Re: [GMCnet] Radio cuts out.. a real headscratcher [message #132196 is a reply to message #132149] Mon, 27 June 2011 06:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
A new box is the easiest - as long as it doesn't show the same problem - but it isn't nearly as much fun.
The options are the radio is losing signal, or the audio amps in it are shutting down.  Since a battery didn't heal the problem, it isn't a power feed. 
Am I correct tha this hapopens on all sources, not just the tuner? 
Does the AM section pick up a lot of ignition noise when the engine is running?
If yuo gently - or not so gently - flex the radio case, can you majke the problem occur?
 
--johnny


--- On Mon, 6/27/11, Bruce Hislop <bruce@perthcomm.com> wrote:


From: Bruce Hislop <bruce@perthcomm.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Radio cuts out.. a real headscratcher
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Monday, June 27, 2011, 1:33 AM




Yes it has 2 power leads, both connected to constant power.

Can do too much troubleshooting as it mutes for only a second or less.

It has a Mute, but its not connected and is insulated as it came from the factory.

Likely a new radio is the easiest fix!

--
Bruce Hislop,
S. Ontario Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI and ESC.
Hubler front end installed and WOW! !:)
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist



Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Radio cuts out.. a real headscratcher [message #132406 is a reply to message #132196] Tue, 28 June 2011 00:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ljdavick is currently offline  ljdavick   United States
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
Senior Member
And new leads to the speakers too? '77's had two leads going to the speakers, but the wire was skimpy, as was the sound. My thinking is that the amp shuts down and then back on. . .

Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist



Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
Re: Radio cuts out.. a real headscratcher [message #132417 is a reply to message #132145] Tue, 28 June 2011 04:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
RF_Burns is currently offline  RF_Burns   Canada
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
Senior Member
Yes, it does it on all sources, not just the radio.

Its a '77 with balanced wires to all speakers. At least one set of speakers has new wires to it.

Doesn't seem to matter what volume, it will still cut out. I need to pull out all the wiring to see if a PO has connected something through a speaker wire.

I'm an electronics guy, so I'll get it figured.


Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
Re: [GMCnet] Radio cuts out.. a real headscratcher [message #132470 is a reply to message #132417] Tue, 28 June 2011 13:43 Go to previous message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
The clue of interest is, when the coach is running.  Does it do it also when the key is on, but engine not running?  That would lead you to suspect 12V being put on one of the speaker wires.  If not, then the two lead suspects are 1. some wierd spur being generated which overloads the audio amps (I bethcha they're multipin chip amps) and temps them out; or a marginal component which dies on run voltage (14.5 or so) but not on battery voltage (13.6 or sio).  Or something loose which either vibrates open or vibrates short.  Dangle 4 speakers on clipcords, and you can eliminate the speaker aires as culprits.
 
--johnny


--- On Tue, 6/28/11, Bruce Hislop <bruce@perthcomm.com> wrote:


From: Bruce Hislop <bruce@perthcomm.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Radio cuts out.. a real headscratcher
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2011, 9:46 AM




Yes, it does it on all sources, not just the radio.

Its a '77 with balanced wires to all speakers.  At least one set of speakers has new wires to it.

Doesn't seem to matter what volume, it will still cut out. I need to pull out all the wiring to see if a PO has connected something through a speaker wire.

I'm an electronics guy, so I'll get it figured.

--
Bruce Hislop,
S. Ontario Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI and ESC.
Hubler front end installed and WOW! !:)
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist



Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Previous Topic: [GMCnet] Labels Under the Hoods
Next Topic: [GMCnet] Fire by Los Alamos
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Sun Oct 13 15:27:22 CDT 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.02520 seconds