2004 Radio Problems
 

I checked the search feature, but could not find anything on this subject. Wife's 2004 Explorer 70,000miles, 6 CD changer. When you try to turn the volume down, it goes up, a lot. The CD player keeps kicking the CD's out, saying they are defective. They play fine in my F-150. I took the radio out, and sent it to a national radio rebuilder, who cannot find anything wrong with the radio. It plays fine, and the volume control works fine. They have had it running for a week with no problem. He first suggested a bad volume switch on the steering wheel, or broken wire between steering wheel and radio, but it doesn't have steering wheel controls. He than suggested it might be a bad rear radio switch. It does not have back seat radio controls. He is suggesting that there is a bad processor somewhere in the car. Lovely. Any help????

I know the first thing that the experts would say, is to put in an aftermarket radio. I would question whether the fact that the radio works ok, outside of the car would lead me to think that an aftermarket radio would have the same problem?

Not sure about the CD player issue, however the volume is typical of these radios. Both my 2000 Expedition & 2004 Explorer has touchy volume controls. They work but if you turn the volume down too quickly it will actually get louder. If I turn it slowly they both work fine. The Explorer does not have rear stereo controls, The Expedition does have rear stereo controls. This makes no difference as it's in the radio volume control knob itself. Both of the 6 disc CD players work fine, both the in stereo & in console.

I'm not sure what to say about the CD player issue. I would search for a good used unit or go with an aftermarket unit. The aftermarket unit will be a stand alone unit & should have NO problems. I can't see how your factory stereo is having these problem in the vehicles only. You don't have steering or rear controls, what else is there?

Just a follow-up. Sent the radio to SLP Electronics, in St. Clair, Mo., an outfit that both reworks or swaps all brands of radios. The owner called me after it had been there three days, and said there was nothing wrong with it. He ran the radio for another day, and said that he did get the CD player to malfunction. We discussed whether to scrap the whole thing, and exchange it or what. He said he hated to replace a working unit, and that he would put a new CD player in it, and test it some more.
He returned it to me today, and wow, it is just like new. The CD player fixed all of the volume problems, and the dead channel. I do not know what one has to do with the other, but I guess it does. I highly recommend these guys, they are honest. He could have charged me to swap out radios, but saved me a bunch of money. They also have an 800 number, so you can talk to them about your problems. They are on the web.

I figured it was in the radio itself. Glad to hear it's all fixed!

Alright, now that the radio is repaired, the subwoofer just whines, and occasionally pops. All this started a couple of days after the radio was installed. I assume, it is the amp for the subwoofer. Where is it? Appreciate your help. Thanks.

Thanks for the great info... I have an '04 with a simular issue. I have 3 or 4 CD's stuck in my radio and ever since my volume control on the radio cranks up real loud when trying to turn it down. Luckly I have the controls on the steering wheel to use. FYI - I think the place you sent your radio to is SPL Electronics. I'll give them a call and see if they can take care of my radio issues. Do you remember what they charged to replace the CD player in your radio? Thanks again.

They charged me $200.00 to replace the CD player. I paid the freight to there, they paid the return freight. They only use new parts.

And you are right, it is SPL Electronics. Sorry, my bad.