2215B static in left channel on FM

Stink Bear

Active Member
I recently got this 2215B. One channel was weak and distorted, I'm almost positive it was the right channel. I swapped the output transistors side to side, the problem moved to the other channel. I didn't see any evidence of burned components, and the bad channel sounded good (I thought) with the output transistors swapped. I believe I did some checking of other components in circuit with an ohmmeter but I don't remember for sure, I've been working on a few units recently.
Also, this unit looked like it had gotten wet at some point, dirty water stains on the cabinet. There is a little corrosion on the inside but not too bad. I did some cleaning with alcohol and a paint brush but I should probably get some electronic parts cleaner and spray it down well.
At any rate I installed replacement transistors, no more weakness / distortion, but I noticed some time later that the left channel has static (a low volume crackling) on FM that is associated with sound. If there is no sound (music, talking DJ) I don't hear static.
It's worse when I first power up the unit, gets better after just a few minutes.
It sounds worse when I turn the bass all the way down and the treble all the way up.
No static on tape monitor when playing a cassette tape.
I don't think I get static on AM but it's hard to tell as I don't receive any AM stations well.
I think this indicates a problem with the FM tuner, but what kind of problem I don't know. I don't have any electronic parts cleaner right now. I was thinking of cleaning the tuner ground contacts, but I suspect only hearing the static in the left channel it is more likely a bad component.
I did search the forum but I didn't find any threads that addressed the same symptoms I have. Anyone have any advice?
Thanks
 
I did some more troubleshooting / monkeying around and was pretty sure I was only hearing the static on one station, so I tried my two main units, same same.
So I guess I figured out that it's a problem with the broadcast. I am wondering now though if it really was worse when I first turned on the 2215B, or if I just imagined it.
I also wonder if it's something new to that station or if it's been that way for some time and I just happened to notice it recently.
Anyway, the 2215B sounds pretty good on other stations. I'll take it.:banana:
 
Can't keep it. I need to replace the dial pointer lamp and the power cord, then it's up for sale. I recently started repairing stereo gear and I've already acquired more than I have room for. I think I will keep my original two, a Pioneer SX-939, and a Sansui Eight Deluxe.
I have a Pioneer SX-990 that I repaired and re-capped the main amp board, I plan to re-cap the rest of the unit for practice before I tackle a re-cap on the SX-939.
I have another SX-990, a Sansui 2000A, and the 2215B that I will sell after I replace the power cords.
I don't know if it's just chance, but I seem to have collected a number of stereos that need power cords because someone has done a crappy job of splicing in extra cable to make them longer. Why didn't they just use an extension cord?
I do like the the 2215B though. It's a nice, simple, good sounding little unit.
 
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