Intermittent audio signal from factory AM/ FM radio- what to check?

My stock factory AM/ FM radio seems to be cutting out some with it's audio signal. It will play nice and clear and then cut out with a less clear muddy distorted type of audio. LAter, it may reverse itself and come back as a nice clear signal. I have checked the connection at antenna where it plugs into unit (secure), checked wires at in-winshield antenna (secure), grounds (secure), all speakers are hooked up right, and plug in connectors to unit also look good and secure. The tuning doesn't seem to matter what station I'm on either. Anyone ever encountered anything like this? I have one of those antenna boosters enroute so my plan is to pull the unit out of dash and open it up to take a look if anything appears to have a loose connection or have come unsoldered. I'll also blow out the unit with compressed air, lightly sand the contacts where all connnections hook up, and clean the area where the antenna plugs in before installing the booster to help amplify the reception of the signal. Does that sound like a solid plan at this point? Anyone have any additional suggestions?? TIA.

 

sound like the amplifier in the radio is breaking down .

 

Does the reception change if you touch the knob but do not turn it?

 

Not that I noticed Jim. You have any ideas or thoughts? If the amplifier inside the unit is breaking down, would it be more reasonable to find another used unit to purchase or have mine repaired? What kind of cost would we be projecting here? Any known good auto radio vendors to work on the old stuff?

 

AM/FM Radio

Evans, e-mail my radio guy stlradio@swbell.net , he is super, AL.

 

If it jumps from station to station and/or you hear a lot of static, then the tuning pot may needs cleaning or replacing. If you have added a pre amp to the antenna and it started thereafter I woud plug in another antenna. The same SX you describe can be caused by no effective antenna.

 

radio reception

Is the problem the same on both am and fm? If so, it's not the antenna as the fm reception is not affected by antenna the same as am is. Sounds like something internal that is breaking down. A job for an expert.

 

Could be one of the solder connections on the PC board is loose. That's what was wrong with the radio in a 60 Pontiac I had. I resoldered all the connections on the PC board and it worked great. The vibrations over the years causes this.
Todd