1987 Radio Problems

[rion]

I have a 1987 Toyota Camry (V4 Automatic).
I have spent much time trying to figure out what is wrong with my radio. Every time I turn on the radio, no sounds come out. However, if I leave my radio on while driving, I will begin to hear music. It is if the radio needs to "warm up" before anything is heard.
Also my cassette deck is messed up. When I put in a tape, the deck will "play" the tape for a few seconds (although I don't hear any sounds... most likely because of the deck itself), then the deck will auto-reverse and play in the opposite direction for a few seconds (again, no sounds are heard from the speakers). The deck play the tape forwards and backwards constantly but nothing is heard.

Can anyone help me find the solution to my radio/cassette problems? All help is appreciated.

[phisigbrotha]

sounds like the deck is just old and all the problems are internal. my suggestion is to buy a new deck.

[rion]

I appreciate your help phisigbrotha but I was wondering if there was any other way I could fix the deck before I trash it completely...

[Toyrolla]

Originally Posted by rion

I appreciate your help phisigbrotha but I was wondering if there was any other way I could fix the deck before I trash it completely...

Check your speakers connections, or replace radio.

I think my brother still has the factory deck for my 88 I4...I have to see if it's still there.... Hmmm......


P.S. Your engine is a I4, not V4.. :22yikes:

[RIP]

I had a similar problem with mine a few years ago except a tape had gotton stuck in the deck which kept the radio from coming on. Eventually I got the tape out but still no radio. Then after 2 years it just started working. Probably the internal switch that turns off the radio when you install a tape was damaged when I forced the tape out. Time and vibration (?) eventually brought it to life.
For us average fixers there's not much you can do. I would pull the deck out of the dash and fiddle with it for two hours. Blow it out with compressed air. Check for bad solder joints. Hook it back up in the car and try it again After that I would chuck it and buy a new radio.

[rion]

HAHA, now here's the real problem... How the hell do I get the deck out of the dashboard? I was looking at it but there weren't any screws anywhere. The farthest I got was taking out the ashtray and looking in and seeing a few wires.

(It's a 1987 Camry...)

[Chad-92 Camry]

The trim pops out becareful not to force it or it will break. Take your time with a skinny flat head screw driver and pry from the sides of the face all the way around the trim.

[Mike Gerber]

rion,

As far as removing the radio from the dash, try this URL for some assistance:
www.carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalToyCamry3.htm

I can't help you with your radio not playing but I might be able to help with the cassette just switching between forward and reverse. I solved this probelm on both an 86 Camry and an 87 Camry; both had the same cassette unit. When you get the radio out of the car (or even before that) hold the cassette door open with a pencil and look at the 3 white nylon gears with a flashlight. You will see 2 big gears on either side of a small gear. I bet one of the big gears has a crack through it's diameter. When this crack (or seperation) in the gear rotates and hits the small center gear, it stops the rotation. The unit thinks it's at the end of the tape and so it reverse it's direction. After a few seconds, this gear turns 180 degrees in the opposite direction and the crack hits the small center gear again, stops, and it reverses it's direction again. This just keeps up forever. When you have the unit out of the car take the top cover off. You can then remove the gear by removing a c-clip that holds it on and lifting the gear up. You may be able to take the gear to a local radio repair facility and buy one from them. I was lucky enough to find one that carried the gear and was willing to sell it to me. I think it was around $14 from them. If not, you can try United Radio in East Syracuse, N.Y. Their number is 800-448-0944. Ask for parts. Years ago one of their parts guys faxed me a detailed drawing of all the parts to my unit when I gave him the model number.

Good luck.

Mike