fixing am radio?

Here are more tips. Make sure the speaker is connected correctly. Often wires are messed by someone adding speakers. It is best to bench test.

A multimeter diode check can be used to test transistors. The meter is used to test the junctions.

The most common failures are electrolytic capacitors, bad solder joints, and failed transistors and resistors. Resistors, may fail when transistors short. Transistors often fail if the battery is connected wrong, or battery pulled with car running, or alternator field bypassed, all with radio on. If that has happened, it might be best to get another radio. While transistors only have 3 pins they often are in different places, in the one size fits many replacement substitutions.

Electronics has changed so much that discrete transistors and even resistors are difficult to source. Parts radios from similar years may be a good option.