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Topic: I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason! (Read 1846 times) previous topic - next topic

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

I have an 86 Tbird with the original cassette radio and lately the radio presents have been deleting themselves. All of a sudden, all 6 presets will be gone. It seems to do this when I start the car, but not all the time. I.e. sometimes I get 2 weeks with the presets holding and other times its 2 days in a row that the presets will be lost. Has anyone else experienced this?

Cam
Camertbird
1986 Thunderbird élan
Best ET 14.62 @ 94.20 mph
306ci HO, full length 1 5/8” headers w/2.5” dual Flowmaster exhaust, 8.8” Turbo Coupe rear axle, 3.73 gears, AOD transmission w/Bowman Electronics shift kit, B&M ProStick shifter, 16x8 American Racing wheels on 225/50 R16 tires, Mach 1 hood scoop

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #1 –
I've had the same thing happen with an aftermarket stereo.
I never tracked down the problem, but always suspected the ignition switch on mine.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
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5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
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I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #2 –
yeah my presets are always being deleted on my aftermarket radio i just stopped putting them in, it solved my problem :hick:

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #3 –
The problem would likely be either the wiring to the radio, or the ignition switch...I'd bet on the latter, especially if you haven't removed the radio at all or disturbed the wiring behind that section of the dash.

You could also try replacing fuses...they can go bad, even if they haven't blown. The relevant radio fuses would be at positions #11 (20A/yellow) and #13 (5A/tan).

Last resort, it could be a faulty power management issue on the circuit board inside the radio itself.

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #4 –
My stereo was in the car about 12 years when it started doing it.
Every once in a while, the starter won't get power either. Mine's more then likely the ignition. The stereo was more of a weekly or daily problem though. really sucked for me, seeing it also has a built in car security/ anti theft system.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #5 –
I will try the easy thing...fuses. But an ignition swith is sounding like the culprit, since the problem seems to be happening on start up.
Thanks,
Camertbird
1986 Thunderbird élan
Best ET 14.62 @ 94.20 mph
306ci HO, full length 1 5/8” headers w/2.5” dual Flowmaster exhaust, 8.8” Turbo Coupe rear axle, 3.73 gears, AOD transmission w/Bowman Electronics shift kit, B&M ProStick shifter, 16x8 American Racing wheels on 225/50 R16 tires, Mach 1 hood scoop

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #6 –
I don't really see how the ignition switch could be the problem. The radio uses the back up power to store those presets and the time. So the only way could see that could have anything to do with it is that when you hit the starter it drags it down enough that the radio doesn't see enough power to keep the info stored. I would tell you to check and see if the time resets also but most of these radios in the bird/cougar came without the clock due to the clock in the dash
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

FreeBird

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #7 –
my time would also reset, and also security pin# would need to be re-entered.
Mabe a bad ground going through the ignition switch.?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #8 –
When the ignition switch is turned, it shifts contant 12v+ power from the battery to the circuits that need ignition-on 12v+ power. In that shift there are also continuous 12v+ wires that, with a properly working switch, will maintain the power even through a key cycle.

One of the main wires behind the dash is a light green/yellow wire, which feeds power to the instrument cluster, visors, and radio (among others). It's a constant 12v+ and is responsible for keeping the radio stations in memory. With a bad ignition switch (or wiring), any temporary power interrupt to that wire--sometimes even for a split second--will cause the radio to lose its stations. Our older factory radios don't have any kind of internal battery or memory (capacitor?) to keep the stations "remembered" for short periods, like most newer radios have, so the loss is immediate.

That's essentially how a bad ignition switch can cause station memory failure. Again, it could also be the wiring at the switch, or a failing battery, but likely it is the ignition switch. If the radio keeps the stations in memory when the car is not started for several days (just using battery power), then you turn the key, and suddenly all stations are gone...you pretty much HAVE to look at the ignition switch as the culprit.

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #9 –
My clock keeps the time but sometime flashes from date to time randomly. I have never had to reset my clock. If everything lost power for a split second, could the clock keep time?
Camertbird
1986 Thunderbird élan
Best ET 14.62 @ 94.20 mph
306ci HO, full length 1 5/8” headers w/2.5” dual Flowmaster exhaust, 8.8” Turbo Coupe rear axle, 3.73 gears, AOD transmission w/Bowman Electronics shift kit, B&M ProStick shifter, 16x8 American Racing wheels on 225/50 R16 tires, Mach 1 hood scoop

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #10 –
Mine did this when the battery was old and weak.  Chances are starting the car drew all the power out of the battery leaving nothing to keep the radio memory.  You may want to have the battery load tested.

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #11 –
That may be the answer right there as the battery was in the car when I bought it 3 years ago and it was old then. It is a rather light amp Motorcraft. Thanks for the info.
Camertbird
1986 Thunderbird élan
Best ET 14.62 @ 94.20 mph
306ci HO, full length 1 5/8” headers w/2.5” dual Flowmaster exhaust, 8.8” Turbo Coupe rear axle, 3.73 gears, AOD transmission w/Bowman Electronics shift kit, B&M ProStick shifter, 16x8 American Racing wheels on 225/50 R16 tires, Mach 1 hood scoop

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #12 –
Now that I'm thinking about it, the battery in my car was from around 94-95, and it was the same battery in the car that I just tossed.
I don't think it should have lasted 10-11 years. LOL

I guess i'll find out when it put her back together again.
(with a new battery)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #13 –
The original radio in my 84 T-Bird had the mechanical presets. Things must have gotten modern between 84 and 86.
 

I keep losing my Radio Presets for no apparent reason!

Reply #14 –
Quote from: EricCoolCats;235585
One of the main wires behind the dash is a light green/yellow wire, which feeds power to the instrument cluster, visors, and radio (among others). It's a constant 12v+ and is responsible for keeping the radio stations in memory. With a bad ignition switch (or wiring), any temporary power interrupt to that wire--sometimes even for a split second--will cause the radio to lose its stations.

If the '86 EVTM is to believed, the yel/green feed to the radio memory connects directly to fuse #8, which has no connection to the ign sw at all... Fuses 4, 8, 12, & 16 are always hot and supplied from a fuse link connected directly to the starter relay... If the EVTM is showing the circuitry correctly, the switch being the problem is a impossibility... Likely it's a battery problem and voltage is falling to under 8-9v while cranking...

I believe these older electronic radios did have a capacitor that would maintain memory for a few seconds, possibly the cap has failed and is contributing to the problem...