Topic: Ford AM/FM power lead

[RocketScientist]

I was wondering what the bulbous section of the power lead for my Ford AM/FM radio (689/70?) is for?
Brad

[Bob Gaines]

I was wondering what the bulbous section of the power lead for my Ford AM/FM radio (689/70?) is for?
Brad

I don't think that is factory . It looks like the magnets that are clipped on power wires even on modern communication equipment for I think noise suppression. 

[67gtasanjose]

I agree with Bob as it NOT being factory.

Some 1960's inline fuse holders look like that. If this is indeed a fuse holder, look for a seam running linear to the length. If a fuse holder, you'll likely find a couple release tabs that open the outer clam shell. Inside, you would find a fuse.
Seeing that the speaker lead is also spliced, a repair person may have used this as a means to repair original cut wires, as opposed to going inside the chassis to solder in a connection...an easier, softer way.

[Bob Gaines]

I was wondering what the bulbous section of the power lead for my Ford AM/FM radio (689/70?) is for?
Brad

Here are some modern examples of the same thing that I found around the house. I have seen the type tapered type like yours before too.  The examples are shaped different however I think they are the same thing. I don't remember seeing them in use until the late 90's .Yours was probably added somewhere along the line . If it is like the others it just piggybacks on the wire and when the case is unclipped and folded open you will find that the wire is not cut. It will not hurt to leave it on and under the dash it will go unnoticed . I can not provide a testimonial if they give better clarity of sound (less AC hum )or not.

[preaction]

The radio pictured looks a little short for a 68 model is it a 69/70 ?

[Bossbill]

I have a 1979 LTD II radio -- the why is lost to time -- that has a very similar power lead.
One side as 3 dots in a row across the width near top and 3 dots in a row across width near bottom.
The reverse has a larger dot near top and the same size dot near the bottom.

[change to very similar]

[RocketScientist]

Yes, that is basically the same powerlead with the dots and I had no idea it could be a later model. It is always a challenge in working out what is original and what has been replaced over time.

[Bossbill]

What's more interesting is the tape goo (?) on the black plastic nose piece.
My radio has that same tape outline.
Not sure what it was, but odd both radios have it.
See if the radio has any faint markings ... Especially look for the suffix -AA, like mine.

[KevinK]

Given that there are only 4 wires, two are speaker output. Blue/red has always  been illumination or dash lights. That leaves the wire with the bulge on it as power input. Ground must be on the antenna lead shield.

They did not use magnets back in the day to suppress noise. The noise suppressor was a capacitor mounted up by the alternator/voltage regulator.

I have seen these black bulges before but did not pay much attention to them or when they started. Maybe 70s. I don’t think they are a fuse link as the fuse is in the fuse block.  It may be a diode for noise suppression and posdibly geared towards more high end models.

[67gta289]

A diode will not suppress noise.  Most likely these are ferrite magnets.  Bob Gaines had a similar thought.

Update- I checked with my brother, a Ford audio engineer.  It is a ferrite core with the wire wrapped around it.  For noise suppression

[67350#1242]

Its an RFI choke:

[RocketScientist]

It lacks any stamped part numbers but has these stamps.

[Bossbill]

Early radios have hard stamped in codes.
On the very few later radios (late 70s) I have I see paper tape and blue dye codes.
The blue dye disappears but leaves very faint outlines.
The tape tends to fall off.

These later codes are generally on the sides.
I only have two later radios so hopefully others can chime in with what they see.

[RoyceP]

Face plate design is ~ 1977 - 82 approximately.

It lacks any stamped part numbers but has these stamps.