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1986 Grand Prix 2+2 radio problems

J

johnsansone

New member
I have a 1986 Grand Prix 2+2 aerocoupe (or any of the other 10 names it apparently carries). My issue is is that this cars radio has a tape stuck in it and it wont come out. The radio has also decided to constantly try to play the tape anytime the power is turned on and makes a constant clicking noise it absolutely refuses to play any other source. When i try to eject it it it acts like the tape is caught on something. Does anyone know how to fix this issue without replaceing the stereo or breaking it? I have taken it to the only 2 reputable audio dealers in WV but they would not touch it in fear of breaking something. I am pretty handy with my hands and am a computer scientist in training (takeing my year 4 cs classes in school) so i am used to dealing with electronics and mechanical devices some what aswell. I am just to scared to do it myself because i know this car is worth so much and is worth much more sentimentality im just to scared to do anything to her without haveing some kind of instruction or advice from someone who has done this successfully before. I was told by one of the audio experts that the radio is a special made version of another head unit in another car ( for thoes out of the loop this car is a cobble of parts from many different cars ). Any advice is appreciated. Also basically what happend is when i was about 6 my grandfather took me out in this car for its yearly drive and i accidently pushed the tape eject button being a kid i thought o ill just keep it from coming out with my hand and forced it to stay in that is when this issue started.
 


Not very many people own cars from the 80's on here being that most have the 97+ version of these cars.


Sounds like you'll want to maybe look up youtube video's of similar radio's being taken apart. Either way you are going to have to remove the radio and open it to remove the tape.
 
You'll have to take is apart and remove the cassette. A lot of times the gears and belts will break and cause the radio to jam. I have removed many a cassette from GM radio's but back then I actually had parts radios to rob from to make one work or order new belts from places like MCM electronics. I would remove the radio and install something else. There are plenty of kits that will allow you to install a radio without damaging anything and be able to put it back to stock if you are worried about that.

Jeff
 
I would also go to the local junkyards see if you can grab one. Really though you can install a modern radio, with decent power and an aux cable for less than $50 with stuff from walmart.
 


These guys and their cd players... You don't mess with an original classic car. That's how they lose their appeal.

The problem that you're having definitely sounds mechanical. There's a lot of little parts that go into making those old tape decks function.

Rather than going to an audio store, try to find a place local to you that does classic car restorations. They'll probably have more experience in vintage car audio.

There are also a lot of websites that you can ship the radio to that will do the repair and ship it back. I don't know who is and isn't good as far as they go. You can google "Vintage car audio repair" or "Classic car audio repair".
 
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