Turn on your Stereo Light ... Let me share a tuner story with you ...
Picked up a T-9 off craigslist the other day.
Was told the stereo light didn't work and when I got there the other lights didn't work. It had been in storage. No big deal sounded great and got a little discount.
When I replaced the indicator lights the stereo light still didn't work. Checked bulb on another set of wires and it lit, so bulb was ok. Then I noticed it doesn't sound like stereo. Compared to other receivers I have and determined it was definitely mono. Music sounded great but field of play was between the speakers.
Started a regimen of Deoxit/Faderlube/Puretronics on controls, switches, contacts on the circuit board. When I get hysterical, I tend to throw everything at it. I know it's not very common sense or admirable, but I got it cheap ...
Downloaded a service manual. Adjusted R214 which is supposed to adjust the stereo indicator. Saw a little flicker, but no steady stereo light.
Did a complete deoxit of contacts on top and bottom of circuit board. Deoxit R214 and stereo switch. Let it dry overnight.
Today played with R214 got a little steady stereo light. Had to turn it all the way clockwise. But stereo light would go off when I released the screw driver.
Left screw driver in for a few minutes. Hoping it would help "burn-in" some memory in the circuits. Ok I also use voodoo electronics when I don't know what I'm doing. When I came back, noticed as I turned counter clockwise, it seemed to be more steady instead of going out like yesterday.
Released the screw driver and is now showing a steady stereo light and the sound instead of all abruptly between the speakers, is now certified stereo.
I can hear different instruments coming in from Left or Right and the field of sound is now expanded beyond the center.
Happy camper ...
I don't blame the seller, because when I listened it sounded great and I didn't realize it was mono. He did say it was the stereo light so I should have listened more carefully. Anyway, it pulls in signals very strongly up and down the dial. Very quiet background. I understand why people say it seems to perform beyond it's specifications.
DISCLAIMER: I don't know the science behind it, or the luck in not blowing it up and shorting it, but I thought I would share that it's something that can be fixed. Not encouraging anyone to do what I did. This is totally anecdotal.