Wonderbar radio won't stop seeking

[CadillacFlashback]

The radio in my '55 won't stop seeking.  Appears to work otherwise, I can hear the stations as the tuner goes by, it just won't stop.  Is there an adjustment or anything for this?

[bcroe]

The radio in my '55 won't stop seeking.  Appears to
work otherwise, I can hear the stations as the tuner goes by, it just won't stop.  Is
there an adjustment or anything for this? 

There is a remote chance signals are too weak to stop scanning; try plugging in
a spare (hand held OK) antenna for effect.  If there is a remote "seek" switch, make
sure it isn't shorted (probably unplug from radio). 

If the issue is internal, something in the electronic signal detect or mechanical scan
control is broken.  With service info (SAMS PHOTOFACT) on that radio, it shouldn't be
hard to find.  If you aren't into fixing radios, better find someone who is.  Bruce Roe 

[Walter Youshock]

If it hasn't been serviced and is original,  it probably needs to be worked on.  New capacitors will insure reliability.   Chances are a tube may be weak and some resistors are out of spec.

If you scan AM radio stations on your every day car, does it pick up anything?   The radio in my '57 is more sensitive than on my '06 Buick.   

You can try to "trim" the antenna.   There's a small knob on the back of the radio that dials in the sensitivity of the antenna.   

[Jon S]

Try this first.  Repeatedly turn the radio on/off as it's scanning.  Mine did this 30 years ago and that fixed it.  I was afraid to try the wonderbar after it stopped, but it has been fine ever since.

Good luck!

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Both my radios do this.

Spoke about this with Mike Cascio before - I believe the cure lies in cleaning of certain internals.

Hopefully he'll chime in.

[Walter Youshock]

Another thing to consider is that AM radio stations don't broadcast with the same strength as years ago.  Try it at night when AM stations push out a stronger signal.

[Michael J. Cascio]

If you take the radio apart, there is a small relay and what looks like a worm gear and a shaft near it.  The relay releases spring energy from the spring motor which causes the dial to move across.  Once it reaches the end, a solenoid rewinds the motor and returns the dial to 5.5. in one motion.

This is the wonderbar mechanism.  The relay gets engergized when the wonderbar is depressed and de-energized when a station is reached.  First thing is I would get some deoxit and thoroughly clean the area.  The work the relay back and forth with a finger or wooden toothpick.  If it still does not work, the problem is in the wonderbar circuitry. 

Usually this issue is mechanical in nature.

[Walter Youshock]

Mike is the radio guy.  Maybe Doug Houston will also weigh in.

If you decide to run the radio on the bench, make sure the speaker is attached.   It needs a "load" to prevent damage.

You can use a battery charger as power source. 

If any of this scares you, send it out for a rebuild.  You don't want to cook a 60 year old radio.

[bcroe]

I would not use a battery charger as a power supply, unless it is connected to a battery. 
A charger besides being unfiltered, will tend to raise the voltage pretty high for charging,
too high without the battery.  You can pick up a battery eliminator pretty cheaply these
days on Eb*y, I might even sell mine.  Bruce Roe

[Walter Youshock]

Good point.  I looked at that idea myself after posting.   I agree--use the battery.

[Julien Abrahams]

Mine doest the same thing if the AM signals are too weak (for some reason right at the back of my house . If I drive a mile or so, channels come through easily.
Can you select the sensitivity (is there a "More stations" selector on a '55 radio? I know my '67 has it, don't know about older.
Also make sure that the antenna connection is secure (both at the antenna and at the radio).

[Walter Youshock]

No sensitivity control on the '55 radio.  '56 was the first year for that feature and manual tuning with a tuning knob.

[J. Gomez]

Walter,

FYI

There is a signal sensitivity control on these radios at least the ones for 1955-1957, for the 1955 it is the outer knob on the on/off volume control either a three or four rotating positions. You are correct the 1955 does not have the manual tuner control.

Scott,

There is a signal seeking adjustment procedure although it is not for the faint of heart or someone who is not familiar with old electronics, see the attached file.

The vacuum tube 12AU7 is for the trigger of the signal seeking portion, there is a possibility the tube may be weak or other components on this circuit. The only way is to test the tube or as others have indicated have the radio service by a qualify repair person.

Good luck..!   

[Walter Youshock]

Is that the sensitivity or tone control?

In any event:  once upon a time, you'd take your suspect vacuum tubes, along with your undeveloped film, to the local drug store. They had tube testers.   

[smilasm]

And if there is no AM stations,is it possible to stop automatic seeking on 56 radio?
Thanks
Marius

[Jon S]

And if there is no AM stations,is it possible to stop automatic seeking on 56 radio?
Thanks
Marius

"Normally," shutting it off and on again cancels that seek function.  That's why I recommended turning it on/off in rapid succession in my earlier post.

[Julien Abrahams]

I agree with Jon. If it will not stop seeking, turning the radio off completely will also make it stop seeking. Then turn it on again, and have another go at it.

[CadillacFlashback]

I appreciate all the input.

Just for the record, turning off and on does nothing to stop mine, I have done so a dozen times.  The "More Stations" outer knob behind the volume knob has no effect, either.

[J. Gomez]

Scott,

If yours stop at any strong radio station(s) (as you can hear it when it tunes to it) and it then continues seeking to the next one it could well be a mechanical issue.
If the effects are as I mention above the electronic piece may be good.

The seeking bar once is press and held it will scanned and skipped over the radio stations until you released the bar. There are three contact which the bar activates, 1 &2 are made when the bar is normal and 2 &3 when the bar is press.

If you do not see any obvious issues with the contacts once you open the radio it may need to be service by a specialist.

Good luck..!

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

You may need to check something simple like the aerial - it needs a good aerial to get a good signal, before anything else. The more stations setting should be turned to the right for maximum sensitivity. Phil.