1955 Radio Problem.

[Jay Wolf]

Original 6 volt AM radio in a 1955 Ford Thunderbird.

I replaced all tubes and have had the radio in out 3 times.

When you start the car the radio will not work the light comes on but no noise, no static, no nothing. If you leave it on and hit a bump it will come on and play fine.

Once on it has never quit on any additional bumps. If you turn the car off for less that 5 hours or so it will come on when the car starts, but it is set overnight or so the radio won?t play till you hit a bump.

Anyone has a similar problem?

Any suggestions on what to look for?

[Guest Randy Berger]

Offhand, it sounds like a vibrator problem. Aren't there any radio techs near you where you could have the vibrator tested? Second thought is to install a speed bump just outside the garage. Sorry, couldn't resist)

[Guest]

99% of all tube radio failers is the vibrator that buzzes, and chops

the dc current in ac currnet by flipping back and forth inside a tin

can in the radio.

The vibrator has double points that stick together for not being

used.

If you pop the back of the radio off, pull out the vibrator, a tin

can with four plug on the bottom, uncrimp the can, and open it up,

you will find the double flapper points.

Just sand them down a little, and you will be back in radio heven.

[Guest imported_JPIndusi]

Check all the external wiring for a loose connector. On some models the light is wired separately. Could be a loose tube or poor connection of the tube pins in the socket. The vibrator is also a suspect here. Substitute a known good one or best of all, send for a solid state replacement from one of the services

such as Classic Auto Radio Service in Florida, 800-880-1409.

If you replace the vibrator you should replace the buffer capacitors (used to be called condensers). These (sometimes only one) are the only high voltage capacitors in the radio chassis, usually marked 1200 to 1600 volts. If they are bad they can kill a vibrator in short order.

Joe, AACA, BCA

[Guest strait8]

[color:\\"purple\\"] Just a light tap on the vibrator with the bottom off the radio will confirm that the vibrator is defective if the radio then starts playing, but it could be a loose socket which also could be confirmed by gently wiggling each tube and also tap them with the handle of a small screwdriver to locate an intermitent tube.