I looked for a thread like this and wasn't able to find one, but sorry ahead of time if I missed it.

I have a 2004 E-350 that, when purchased, had a wheelchair lift and various accessories that required removal (wheelchair lock and control toggle at the control panel). When I went to remove this stuff, everything was pretty straight-forward. However, I ran into some issues with the electrical where the shifter would lock in park (my mechanic later resolved this and explained that my attempts to remove the wheelchair ramp and accessories messed up some of the wiring). Furthermore, the stereo system cuts out after it gets turned up too loud (on my Sony head unit, the volume can only go up to about 15 or 16, which is not loud).

After attempting to troubleshoot the stereo issue - no short in any wires, no ground issues, etc. - I've come to two conclusions: 1) the head unit needs to be replaced, or 2) due to the aftermarket wheelchair ramp install, something was bypassed/messed up electrically and needs re-working.

Has anyone encountered anything like this, or at the very least, are there things that I might want to check in addition to the normal stereo stuff? Any help is much appreciated! Thanks.

-dad_bod

 

What is the stereo doing when it cuts out? Goes completely blank like it lost power or does it go into some sort of protection mode?

 

I don't think it's protection mode. The unit shuts down completely and starts back up after a second, but I don't think it has anything to do with not getting enough power.

I checked all the wires with a multimeter and everything came up okay, so that's when I figured it's either the unit itself or something more sinister with the modifications.

 

I would get the multimeter out again and if possible, hook the meter to each power wire(two different tests) and the GROUND THAT THE RADIO USES and while watching the meter turn the radio up till it quits and see if the meter does anything. Do that for the key-on power and the memory power also. The metal body of the radio would be a good place to get a ground to make sure the radio ground is good also during the test.

If the meter doesn't blip or show anything, it must be the unit itself.