79 Continental Quadrosonic

[Dibly74]

The radio in my new car has a problem. Am works great, the 8 track player works great, but on FM no sound comes out. Every other function works great. Is there anything otehr than the radio at fault or is it internal radio?

[Tman70]

Probably radio or tape/radio change switch. I know they change over from radio when a tape is inserted. I think it's got a roller on the switch arm where the tape goes in.

[Dibly74]

That works ok. just no sound on FM. If you turn the volume up high you can hear a crackle sorta. Anyone had problems with this before?

[Tman70]

Did you try another antenna?

[redtop]

where, o where did you find a 8 track player???!!!!

[Dibly74]

No, I haven't tried another antenna. I haven't even checked to see if mines hooked up or not. Woulden't static come out if it was working and just the antenna was bad? And the player is original to the car.

[pro-five-oh]

The 79s had a digital tuner, and I'm sure they'll bite the dust just like the one in my 83 Conti and my 91 Mark.

You need to have an audio repair shop rebuild yours. There's a place in town that re-did mine for $100.

[Dibly74]

To keep the car all original isn't bad for 100 dollars, because im not changing the radio. Even if I can't get it done for awhile I guess I will just have to find some good AM stations.

[pro-five-oh]

I think you'll be happy with it. Whatever tuner component fails on the circuit board is usually replaced with a newer, higher quality design.

Since yours is the first Lincoln with that design it might be a little different, but only an electrical tech with some knowledge will know for sure. I think its worth looking into.

[Newave Dave]

I would pull the radio and spray a little contact cleaner on the switch that is activated by inserting the 8 track. The fact that your AM works sez antenna OK. I have repaired alot of home stereos that had similar troubles and cleaning switch helped.

[Dibly74]

So does AM and FM work differently, because when I have AM on and I put the tape in it goes to the tape and when I take it out it goes beck to the radio fine.

[gadget73]

Might be the am/fm switch is dirty and needs to be cleaned, assuming its a mechanical type switch. FM tuners are a little more fragile than AM. I have a 60s era Magnavox console stereo, no FM at all, AM works like you would not believe. Quite possibly the best AM reception I've ever heard, but not a peep on FM. I've had lots of old sets like that too, the FM stuff goes out first, not sure why. Probably simply because the circuit involves more stuff. AM detectors are amaingly simple, Heck, a lump of coal and a pair of raxor blades will do for an AM detector.

[Dibly74]

Quick question, do all quadrosonic radios have the same wiring connections and can they all mount to all the different brackets that came along with different cars. I foud one from what they said was an 81, but I didn't think they were used after 79.

[pro-five-oh]

They were used after 1979, the face turned silver (Mark VI) on some models but they are similar. No clue about brackets or harnesses, though.

[Dibly74]

I forgot to mention that when I was messing with FM, it could tune stations in, known stations to my area, just no sound.

[pro-five-oh]

Probably still an internal problem. A rebuild will fix it.