Ok, so here's where I am.... 1998 Expedition XLT 4x4 with premium sound.... (sound went out last week - would be on for appx 15 seconds a few times, then zilch) uh, currently no sound from speakers. But alas, I haven't lost all of my sense of humor in this situation.... cussed alot though...

I read, read, read over the weekend all the many helpful threads about the sound system in the Expedition and this is what I've done so far....

I've looked for every possible fuse and unless it's one of the little black box fuses with no amp # on it in the small fuse box under the hood behind the big fuse box (driver's side), then I don't know. You'd think the manual would be a little more helpful. How the hell do you tell if one of THOSE fuses is out? And in my manual, it only shows one line of fuses and theres two lines in the box.... go figure.

I ran the speaker test (3 and 6 on the radio controls) got a message "no oj" ???? didn't know I was looking for orange juice... , then I unplugged the wires from the amp in the dash (that was a hard one to get to and if anyone wants to know how to unplug it without taking the console and dash apart, let me know). Now, I have three sets of wires with plugs and only two places to plug them in to the factory radio. Not sure what to do next.

My ever so helpful brother says I need to take it in because the wires need "re-wiring" and he doesn't know how to do it and I shouldn't try it or I could mess the whole car up - I'm thinking that was a jab at the whole women helping themselves thing....

I haven't looked in the cargo area yet for another amp, I'm hoping there isn't one. I have no idea how to get to it, I red a thread about how to get there, but can't find it again.

Anyway, if anyone has any ideas, please let me know... I drive 50 per day and am in dire need of some tunes. Don't need anything dynamic, just like to be able to listen to my favorite morning shows on the way in to work.

My email address is ravenmcgee(No Email Addresses In Posts!)

This website is awesome by the way

 

The little black boxes are relays, not fuses.
Based on the symptoms, it looks like an internal component is shorted, and after it is on for a few seconds, it overheats and shuts off. You will probably have to take it to a shop anyway. If the radio came on at all, then the fuse was not the problem, although it may be blown now.

 

Thanks for the reply, but what in the world is an internal component? And what would it be in? amp? radio?

oh, and thanks for clearing that fuse issue up. I wondered why they looked so different.

 

An internal component in the head unit or amp. may be going or gone bad, meaning a resistor which is graded for certain amount of current or Amps to go trough, if another device is not controlling the flow of energy more than the specified current/amps/etc is hitting this device causing an overflow or excessive power wich causes the system to shut to prevent a fire, malfunction or any other "bad" reaction (worst case scenario) to happen. Maybe is a chip or diode, or a loose wire is causing a ground, can be anything. Better get it fixed before you fry something.

I know, it sucks everythime something breaks! Maybe and audio shop can help you with this. Good luck.

By the way, I am not an expert in this matter and may not be completely accurate w/ my info, just some general knowledge and experience burning amps, LOL!


H

 

I'd check with the audio shop 1st. They may have an old Ford radio they could test in there without charging you for it. I also think that since you have an XLT, you probably don't have the amp in the back, (Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was only in the EB's), anyway if it was the back amp, there is no reason the front speakers wouldn't work. I would have to agree that it sounds like something inside the "radio" seems to be bad.

 

You all have been very helpful. Think I'll take it in to be looked at. Until then..... portable radio with batteries

Gosh that sounds sooooo 80's.

 

Look at the bright side,at least your ever so helpful brother didn't start digging around and mess up the wiring making the situation worse. And kudos for being a female willing to try fixing her own vehicle.