The volume control potentiometer in my Zenith MJ-1035 radio is pretty much shot, resulting in very, very weak sound (almost inaudible). The radio, however, brings in stations like crazy with a short antenna connected, even in my small-town reception area 40+ miles from the Cleveland FM stations (I can see the stereo indicator flash on and off as I tune across the dial, so the signal circuits must be plenty healthy, and the problem is more than likely with the audio stages). I see from the schematic that the volume control used in the MJ1035 is a 2-megohm dual pot. I'm wondering if any other type or value of potentiometer will work (I'm sure I have a few small pots in my junk box). I'm not interested in stereo sound; all I am interested in with the Zenith is to get it playing again, if only through the radio's own speakers in the cabinet or through the extension speaker.

Thanks in advance. This radio has been sitting on top of a chest of drawers in my bedroom for months, and I'd like to get it singing again. This MJ1035 is much, much too good a radio to be sitting around doing nothing; I never intended it to be a so-called "shelf queen" and do not intend to get rid of it.

Hi, Jeff; are you sure it's the volume control? If you short across the center terminal and high side of the control you should get blasting maximum volume if the control is bad as you've taken the control out of the circuit. Also: touch finger to center terminal of control and you should get a loud hum if audio stages are OK.

Reece