Expert: Cleggsan - 8/28/2009

Question
My radio switches randomly between working just fine (display shows time, switches to station as needed, radio and tape work) and showing a display with all functions lit-up, 'time/station' as '18888' and nothing works. I have not found a patternfor this back and forth switch, removed radio and made sure everything was plugged in tight...What causes that and how do I correct ?

Answer
This is what we call an intermittent condition. It can be caused by cold solder joints and loose connections of one kind or another inside the set itself.  They usually require a trip to the shop where a tech can explore around inside looking for the culprit.  They are often very difficult to find; sometimes very easy.  Just really depends on what is causing it.

Sometimes a whack on the chassis will correct it temporarily or even permanently sometimes.  If you find it changes when you are on a rough or bumpy road that is a good sign the problem is a bad connection inside the unit.

In the very worst case the set will need to be replaced. In the best case it may be a cold solder joint that requires a touch up with the iron to resolder the joint - like on the bottom of the printed board or at a connector.  You would need a tech to do that most likely.

Does this help?  Let me know if there is more to the story.

C