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So as of last night my radio is not cooperating. I had the battery disconnected due to other work on the Ex and now I am having radio problems. When the key is turned the radio "buzzes", from the unit itself, not the speakers. It seems as though as soon as power is applied it is trying to eject a disc but no buttons are pressed. It lasts about 15 seconds and then stops. I also have CD error showing on the display. I have read the multitude of issues with the factory head unit but hoping I can fix it, maybe CD is just stuck?
any info appreciated, really don't want to go aftermarket if I can help it...
My 6 disk did the same thing..Mine might have gone for a flight across the room, but than again mine had discs stuck inside. I concluded after reading several threads about the factory radios acting up that they are junk. I went aftermarket and cant say I miss the oem radio. Google tuns up a few how to videos on trying to fix the oem one, maybe give that a shot?
I had the same problem years ago and bought a used unit from a 2005 Mountaineer (IIRC) that was the high-powered Audiophile unit. Cost me about $150 back in the day (about 4 years ago) and I had to get a conversion plug. Now it's going out too (CD error every time I put a CD in the changer). It was nice to have OEM for a clean look (and didn't attract any attention). Now that I can't find any OEM replacement that's fairly new (I'm not paying dealership prices for new and any used one is over 10 years old) I'm going to end up going aftermarket as I don't want to do this again in 1-2 years.
My recommendation is go aftermarket and get something new (with a warranty) unless you can get a good deal on a used one and you are willing to take a chance on how long it will last (like maybe lightflyer's OEM unit). Just my .02
My radio is intermittent and really pisses me off.
What aftermarket units have folks found can be used in conjunction with factory dvd? Any special wiring adapters required?
Just FYI but the head unit started acting normally two days later and has been perfect since. I know it is a ticking time bomb, but until it detonates, I'm sticking with it.
I too would like to know what others are going with as I'm sure mine will die at some point. I don't have the factory DVD however, just the factory 6 disc dash system.
I dont know how the factory dvd is installed in the excursion as I have never had one to disassemble. I have installed many aftermarket decks though and it is a pretty straight forward process. There are lots of decks that have an a/v out and the ability to send video signal to a screen. I recent just installed one in an RV and removed the out dated vhs system. I would look at crutchfield.com. They have always had amazing customer service, great instructions and the tech support there is amazing.
I understand that most new stereos have a/v inputs but that means I'd have to play the dvd through the head unit. I'd rather continue to use the factory dvd player so that I'm not unable to listen to other music/ radio while kids in the back watch their movies. If I'm wrong about the capabilities of the aftermarket stereos please correct me.