crackling radio volume switch

[trev0006]

Thanks for posting this, it helped me out.

I had the same problem: Changing the volume created a nasty crackling sound and even drop outs in the right channel. So I pulled out the radio (push in the 2 vertical "bars" on the lower left and right of the faceplate, handles will pop out, then just pull) and removed the top cover (couple of screws).



Look inside and you see the potentiometer.



It has little openings through which you can see the slider move when you turn the knob. The crackle is caused by dirt under the slider. That's where you should try to clean.



I successfully used tweezers with a little piece of strong paper soaked with IPA (alcohol). (Just squirting IPA in there and moving the slider did not do much.)


suspensionbrakesbmwwheels
I slid in the paper under the slider and was able to remove some dirt. I repeated this until the paper looked clean. But be carefull not to damage the slider. If it breaks you need a new potentiometer at which point you might look for a replacemnet radio as well.

Good luck!

[BEJinFbk]

Is this stickied? Should be.

GREAT post !!!

[jblackburn]

Is this stickied? Should be.

GREAT post !!!

You're right, and it is now in the repair database. I actually need to do something similar to my early 80's home stereo that has the exact same problem. Thanks for this contribution

[Medusalith]

I have a TD-603 Alpine i my 440glt/94 and it started to do that crackling sound once a radio station is recived in stereo mode, the volume also seems to have lost some volume potency, did that happen in your cases also or does my tuner deck may be in need a diffent fix?

[hanzbe420]

I had the same problem: Changing the volume created a nasty crackling sound and even drop outs in the right channel. So I pulled out the radio (push in the 2 vertical "bars" on the lower left and right of the faceplate, handles will pop out, then just pull) and removed the top cover (couple of screws).



Look inside and you see the potentiometer.



It has little openings through which you can see the slider move when you turn the knob. The crackle is caused by dirt under the slider. That's where you should try to clean.



I successfully used tweezers with a little piece of strong paper soaked with IPA (alcohol). (Just squirting IPA in there and moving the slider did not do much.)



I slid in the paper under the slider and was able to remove some dirt. I repeated this until the paper looked clean. But be carefull not to damage the slider. If it breaks you need a new potentiometer at which point you might look for a replacemnet radio as well.

Good luck!

or you can use a can of this stuff Or you can use a small spray of wd40 now this might mess up your radio by making it sticky after time, but i used wd40 and it fixed it just fine now as for the long term effects of the wd40 i dunno lol but it doesnt matter i have 2 extra head units. But its best to use some "Deoxit". Just offering some alternative methods for people without the proper items or just not enough time.

yea i forgot to mention turning the knob fast back and fourth 15-20 times then dab a napkin on around and try to slide a Lil underneath before you spray to avoid getting it elsewhere.

[boosted5cyl]

sometimes a couple of dollops of contact cleaner while excercizing the knob/pot is enough to do the trick.

[shonamc1997]

I had the same problem: Changing the volume created a nasty crackling sound and even drop outs in the right channel. So I pulled out the radio (push in the 2 vertical "bars" on the lower left and right of the faceplate, handles will pop out, then just pull) and removed the top cover (couple of screws).



Look inside and you see the potentiometer.



It has little openings through which you can see the slider move when you turn the knob. The crackle is caused by dirt under the slider. That's where you should try to clean.



I successfully used tweezers with a little piece of strong paper soaked with IPA (alcohol). (Just squirting IPA in there and moving the slider did not do much.)



I slid in the paper under the slider and was able to remove some dirt. I repeated this until the paper looked clean. But be carefull not to damage the slider. If it breaks you need a new potentiometer at which point you might look for a replacemnet radio as well.

Good luck!

Thankyou so much! This worked perfectly for me, i used reading glasses solution instead of alcohol and it still did the trick.

[Mc1]

Hi can anyone help with this crackle problem, I took the lid off and can’t see where you can clean the switch, thank you

[Mc1]

Did this fix today, sprayed contact cleaner in the sliders and a sliver of paper and rotated full range about 10 times, no more crackling!

Thanks for the tip!

Hi, can you tell me where you sprayed as in my unit it’s just a blue switch on top of the PCB?