Does my radio needs replacing ?

[FredDove]

Hi guys, the radio on my GL1500se 1996 Trike is not picking up any stations. Everything appears ok regarding the controls and the correct info is showing on the LCD etc, and there is some speaker noise coming from all 4 speakers. Is this a common fault, or does somebody out there know where I should look to try to find the problem. I have tried plugging in another Ariel directly into the radio, but still no music is found on any of the frequency's selected.

[DenverWinger]

Is your "Mute" switch on the left handlebar stuck? Common fault on the 1500's

Also, is that a US spec radio? US FM frequencies are 200Khz spread on odd 10ths, e.g the radio tunes 100.1, .3, .5, .7, .9 where European FM frequencies can be on even 10ths too, .2, .8 etc. so with a US radio you can miss being able to tune some stations correctly.

That said, even if you tuned a 97.8 station at 97.7 or 97.9 you should still get significant noise from that station, even if distorted. So I'd look at the mute button first.

If the fault turns out to be the radio itself, Sierra Electronics in Ohio https://www.sierra-mc.com/ specializes in GoldWing stereo repair, but shipping back and forth across the pond may be prohibitive. You might be able to call them and ask for more suggestions though.

[Swagonmaster]

If you tune the radio to a strong local FM station it should pick up the signal even without an antenna although not real well. I notice that if I press the top left button for the tape drive it will shut off the radio and I had to push the center button for the headphones twice to get the radio to play again. If the radio doesn't pass that test then I would say it needs repair or replacement.

[FredDove]

Hi guys, thanks for all your suggestions. I have now done some more testing as suggested, and yes a muffled radio station can be heard on the 97.7 frequency. The Mute button is functioning correctly and with a cassette tape fitted all 4 speakers are working very well. I am not sure if this is a UK or US radio fitted (see photo). This problem I guess must be related to the Arial cable itself maybe not reaching the Arial antennas at the back of the bike. Also under the seat I have noticed there is an Arial cable that is not connected, but I am assuming this is coming from the CB Ariel antennas also fitted. Plugged into the radio, as well as the Arial, are 2 other connectors plugged in, but there is another white socket on the radio where nothing is plugged in. I need to try to follow the Arial cable from the radio to see if it does in fact connects to the antennas.

[WingAdmin]

Check the antenna cable. If it has come disconnected, you will see exactly the symptoms you're experiencing.