Turnolock Radio does not work

[RichardHawkins]

I had my radio converted to receive FM, and to my delight it worked fine. Now that I have put the radio into the dash, and the dash into the car, the radio does not work. I need some basic help.

When I turn the volume knob the radio lights up, and there is slight noise from the speaker.

I pressed the Turnolock button which has stayed in, and the station indicator red bar moved to the extreme left.

I have no operating instructions, and don’t really know how to use the radio.

I did not want to take the dash again in order to remove the radio.

Richard Hawkins

[alan.barker]

You shouldn't need to remove Dash to remove Radio.
Alan

[elanfan1]

The Turnolock but is just a preselected channel. How has FM been added? Select FM first. Turn the left knob to turn the volume up, then tune in on the right hand knob. There’s a fine tune screw under the Turnolock button.

You’re unlikely to get a channel on AM or it’ll just be crackles..

[RichardHawkins]

Thanks both, I can’t see how to get the radio out with the dash still in place. I have removed the dash far enough to get the radio out, and taken the case off to expose the Turnolock mechanism, which includes a couple of Geneva gears (usually found in mechanical chiming clocks) a bit more lubricant and I think it is now working OK. The FM conversion was carried out by Eric Capron of Radio Rescue.

Richard Hawkins

[alan.barker]

Remove control knobs, remove eschucheon. Push radio to one side and slide in i think 2BA spanner to undo screw.
Do the same the other side. Rotate the plates each side and pull out.
Alan

[RichardHawkins]

Alan,

Thanks for the advice, I think we are talking about different radios. I have a Philips Turnolock spindle mounted and cannot find any 2BA screws. Having removed the knobs the trim surround is retained by two 17mm AF hex nuts and large stainless washers, behind that are 14mm AF nuts. If these 14mm nuts are removed the radio will pass into the space between the dash and cold air inlet plenum. I can’t see anyway of getting my hand in there to catch it. As with so many things Lotus no two cars seem to be the same, and after 55 years and many previous owner I doubt lots of things are as they should be.

Richard Hawkins

[andyelan]

Hi Richard

The Phillips Turnolock radio uses a single button to select up to 6 preset stations using a rather complicated mechanical system.
There's a little window on the tuning scale showing numbers 2 to 6, pressing the Turnolock button scrolls through these. To set the radio, first set "2" in the window and tune the radio to your first desired station using the RHS knob. Press the Turnolock button which will set "3" in the window and now tune the radio to your second station. Continue this for "4" "5" and "6" and three more stations. Now the radio is set up it's any of the preset stations can be selected by simply pressing the Turnolock button the appropriate number of times until desired station is reached. Note there's no "1", just a red square. While this can be used as a preset, the actual intention is to use this setting when you want to manually tune the radio so you don't disturb the other presets.

Regards
Andy

[alan.barker]

For me you remove the tuning knobs.
That reveals a big nut screwed on each spindle.
Remove the nut on each spindle.
Remove the trim plate or eschuceon.
Look down each side of Radio and there is a metal plate screwed to each end of Radio.
Slide in a small spannet and unscrew. This will let you rotate the plates 90°. Pull out Radio.
Alan

[andyelan]

Hi there

But Richard, didn't you fit the radio into the dash yourself ?

Alan is saying how the radio was fitted originally specifically so it could be taken out without removing the dash. If you installed it differently then it's only you who really knows how it comes out.

Regards
Andy