I have a Bendix model in my '59 Galaxie, and it's specifically referenced in the service manual.  I get no sound at all out of it, but have tested the speaker, replaced all tubes, and confirmed that power is supplied to the radio (and that the power switch works).  I don't know where to go from here but would rather learn how to fix it then send it off someplace.

I would appreciate suggestions on where to start.  Perhaps a library would have usedful literature?

Do all the tubes light up?  I hope you have the old tubes, and didn't discard them.   Plug in a known-good antenna, speakers, and power (12-volt car battery) on your non-conductive bench.  Use the original tubes and swap them one at a time.  Meaning, when you swap a new tube and there is no difference, reinstall the old tube and go to the next.  USUALLY (said with caution), a capacitor dries-out and stops working.

My '59 Galaxie came with a "Town & Country" radio, a Motorola model 95-MF (9BFA-18806-B).  It uses two power transistors (just above each knob), which elliminates the vibrator.  Also, ALL voltages inside, doen't exceed 13-volts.  The old vibrator models produced 250-volts and could be very dangerous to poke around.

The best way to troubleshoot is by following a schematic, produced by Sams (Photofact Folder).  They are still available for around $15-$20.  Each Photofact Folder is specific to ONE radio.  I do not have one for your radio, but you can find one on eBay.  All you need is the model number.  Look on the back or sides where it is stamped into the sheet metal.  Yours probably starts with 9BF  or 95BF.

Hope this helps.  - Dave

How do I check the antenna?  I have never understood how that component could fail aside from being broken off at the base or something.  My antenna and cable appear to be in good shape, though the antenna base is not securely bolted to the fender.

I tested my speaker by wiring it into a household stereo with detachable speakers and it worked fine, so I assume it can be marked off the troubleshooting list.

My radio is a 94BF Bendix unit with one power transistor (if I recall correctly).  Is the schematic you (Dave) refer to a troubleshooting schematic, or more of a wiring diagram?

And timmy4, how audible is that buzzing sound?  I think I might have a vibrator, and if I do I have never noticed a buzzing sound.

Thanks everyone!

So if I don't have a vibrator, where else would I look for trouble?  None of the condensors look bad.  Eveything looks remarkably well-preserved, actually.

Vibrators are replaceable and they plug-in like tubes.  They look like giant electrolytic capacitors.  You probably don't have one.  The permanently-mounted silver thing is three capacitors in one can.

Capacitors never show wear, but they can be bench-tested.  Antennas need positive contact.  Years of outdoor weather can corrode the connectors inside your antenna (it happened to mine).  The good part is, car antennas are real cheap.  If you have a spare, you can test it by plugging it in, then hang it out the window.  Next to where it plugs in, there is an antenna trim pot (screw).  Every antenna is a little different, so after plugging one in, turn the screw to get the best reception.

Sam's Photofacts shows the entire radio with pictures of both sides.  They label every component, show a complete parts list, describe alignment instructions, and they show a centerfold schematic including resistance readings and voltages on every tube grid and cathode.  The heaters and filiments are straight forward.

Your radio is not stereo, not FM, no reverb... just a simple AM radio with five or six tubes.  It is hand-wired point-to-point, which makes it nearly bullet-proof and very fixable.  It is much easier to fix on a bench than in your dash.

Hope this helps.  - Dave

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1959-FORD-94BF-B9A-18805-A-B9AF-18806-D-RADIO-PHOTOFACT_W0QQitemZ380108032128QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item5880344880&_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

I have been surprised at the lack of basic symptom-oriented troubleshooting schematics for these radios.  I looked at some photofacts in the library (they were all older than my unit) and they didn't have instruction either, except for tuning adjustments.  Where does one begin?  Is the best approach simply to go down the list of component specs and check them all?

One other thing.  One of the books I checked out indicated that transistor powered radios should make a thump through the speaker when you turn them on.  Mine never makes any noise at all.  Shouldn't it thump even if the antenna were malfunctioning?

if all else fails, there are some internet sites devoted to old car radio repair... I'm sure you've searched this resource out, but if not, its easy to do... some appear more "qualified" than others, but it looks like the going rate to get one of these units fixed up is about $100 or so. 

Once you count up all the hours of research, fighting cobwebs, using a magnifying glass, etc, it may just be worth it to spend the money... but if you don't like A.M. radio only, then who knows what it might be worth!!

I've even seen places that will gut your original radio chassis and rebuild it w/modern am/fm/cassette/CD/MP3/etc guts so that you can play any number of different media in your car... of course, to us old farts, this is TOO MUCH!

Good luck!

Mark