Can I fix the original radio in my Reliant?

[1p3bp]

This 86 Reliant I just got started up had the radio fuse missing. Now I see why. Although it works and has sound and you can turn through the stations. The buttons don't seem to change anything. And the screen is flickering half readable characters like it's going crazy. I believe it's stuck on AM too. When you try to press the AM/FM button nothing happens. None of the presets do anything. The previous owner had a piece of brown tape over the screen and now I see why. Since it's mostly original I was trying to keep it that way. I've had the radio fixed on my 73 Charger but it cost like $95 for an electronics store to fix it. Is there anything I can do to possibly fix this radio or will it have to go to the electronic repair guy? It's the quartz display AM/FM stereo original to the car and it isn't a cassette player. I removed the radio today while I was working on the car. The connectors looked good and clean as well as the ground strap. You can hear the stations clearly but no idea what station it is because you can't make out the screen.

[K-CAR_WAGON]

Its typical that the switches under the buttons seem to go bad and be unresponsive. I suspect if you are able to take apart the switches they could be cleaned with a contact cleaner, but I have never tried. I suspect your display is also bad and probably needs to be replaced. Its easier and cheaper to just try to find a new, factory rebuilt, or operational replacement unit on Ebay or in a junkyard. There are lots of radios (that originally came in Mopars) that mount into the slot for 1986 and connect to the wiring harness. If you want the exact one it may be harder to find but should not be too difficult. If you get the 1986 dealer literature you can find photos of the alternative exact radios that came in 1986 Reliant.

Here is a link showing some alternative radio offered in K-cars and K-car derivatives.

http://dodgedynasty.50megs.com/cool/radios/radio.html

[mona's k]

I would find one at a salvage yard.

A quick internet search for salvage yards around North Georgia shows a "Charlie's Used Auto Parts" in Dayton, TN. Shows he has several radios that fit your car for about $35.00.

[1p3bp]

I took it apart to see if noticed anything obvious. But I didn't. It looked like the inside of my PC. So I didn't mess with anything. I have a radio guy in town that repairs radios. He fixed the oem radio out of my 73 Charger and it works perfect but of course it's not digital. I actually didn't see any of these radios on EBAY at all. It's probably the most common one that year too, just an AM/FM, probably the same that I had in my 86 Dodge Ramcharger when I had it years ago. Anyone know what other models and years would be the same radio? Can an aftermarket cd play/radio be installed without having to cut the dash?

[K-CAR_WAGON]

They show up on Ebay ocassionally if you keep looking.

Here is one listed with CD that says it fits your car. But you will get a better price if you go to a junkyard.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHRYSLER-DODGE- ... af&vxp=mtr

[mona's k]

All these were listed to fit your vehicle--- Searched to fit a 1986 Plymouth Reliant


1990
Radio
Dodge Dakota AM FM 13306 $Call Chattanooga Valley Used Cars & Parts USA-GA(Flintstone) Request_Quote 1-888-820-1581 Request_Insurance_Quote
26
1988
Radio
Dodge Dakota AM-FM,FAC C 10J128 $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1989
Radio
Dodge Dakota AM-FM,FAC,TESTED C 3001 $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1989
Radio
Dodge Daytona AM-FM,FAC,-1 KNOB A 9M33 $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1988
Radio
Dodge Dynasty AM-FM,W-O CASS,FAC,BLK FACE A 4H107 $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1989
Radio
Dodge Dynasty AM-FM,BLK FACE,83K A 5D232 $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1991
Radio
Dodge Dynasty AM-FM,W-O CASS,CK A 202453 $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1990
Radio
Dodge Shadow AM-FM W-O CASSETTE,CHECK A 99172 $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1989
Radio
Dodge Truck 350 Series AM-FM,FAC,-2KNOBS A 11G07S $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1989
Radio
Dodge Caravan AM-FM,W-O CASSETTE,CK A 200220 $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1991
Radio
Dodge Caravan AM-FM,W-O CASSETTE AFT 202388 $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1987
Radio
Plymouth Voyager AM-FM,FAC C 11K14S $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1990
Radio
Plymouth Acclaim AM-FM,CHECK A 200208 $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1991
Radio
Plymouth Acclaim AM-FM,CD,TESTED,-AM- A 11L06S $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50
1988
Radio
Plymouth Horizon AM-FM,FAC A 9J13 $35 Charlie's Used Auto Parts USA-TN(Dayton) Request_Quote 423-775-3046 / 800-933-7958 Request_Insurance_Quote
50

[marty mopar]

from the 1986 part book

4311 001 1 AM (Bright Face)
4311 002 1 AM (Black Face)
4311 955 1 AM/FM/MX Standard (Bright Face)
4311 956 1 AM/FM/MX Standard (Black Face)
4311 102 1 Ultimate Sound (Bright Face)
4311 686 1 AM/FM/MX Premium,w/Cassette (Bright Face)
4311 687 1 AM/FM/MX Premium,w/Cassette (Black Face)

I have this one

4311687 used have two of them

www.arizonaparts.com

[mkjohnson39]

I have an original equipment radio for the taking.
E-mail me at mkjohnson39@yahoo.com.
Send a stamp to cover the postage and it is yours.