Can anyone tell me how to hookup a bench test of a factory radio?
#1
Can anyone tell me how to hookup a bench test of a factory radio?
I've got these Premium Sound Radio I want to swap into my 98 Ranger. It is out of an original 98 Ranger with Premium Sound. I was told by Ford that in the 98 Rangers with Premium Sound they did not have separate amplifiers. The part# on it is F87F-18C868-DD and says Vehicle Equalization: Ranger. Now I've also got a Premium Sound Radio from a 98 Explorer part# F87F-18C868-AD which says under Vehicle Equalization: Explorer/MACH. I was told that one does use a separate amplifier. It does match to the factory 98 Audio guide saying that MACH equipped radios use an amplifier and subwoofer. But I want to put this one I got out of a 98 Ranger in but I want to test it first. I notice on the back of the metal chassis there is a ground tab. Anyone know where that ground wire comes from? Because I didn't see one behind where my radio goes. But my aftermarket has been in there so long I could have cut it a long time ago. I'm not sure as to how to hook it up safely so in case it does work that I don't damage it by testing it. I've got the connector off of the Explorer radio so I'm not sure if the wires will be the same. Using a 12 volt battery do you just hook up the illumination, B+, and a speaker + and -, some sort of antenna, and then where to I ground it? On the negative side of the battery? One guy on youtube says to install a fuse, but doesn't show where. I checked on youtube where there is a lot of testing but not how to hook it up. I don't want to mess up the board just in case it does work.
#2
The way to do this bench test is to simply pull up the schematic (they're online) and the connector pinouts for the sound system that you are working on, you wire it, then you turn it on and verify that it works. If you've grabbed a random bunch of components from different vehicles, then you will either have to do your best to sort it out and go for it, or better yet, go to (gasp) WalMart and for about $125 buy a modern, double din deck that is superior to the "premium" factory ones.
#3
The radio choke in it was melted out. I took it completely apart. Yeah I'm currently using a Sony aftermarket radio with no amplifier which is comparable in sound quality minus as much BASS to my 1999 Dodge Dakota R/T with the factory 100-Watt Infinity sound system that has the factory amplifier and it's all been restored to original just like the rest of the truck since I take it to the Mopar shows sometimes. It sounds good though for a factory sound system from 1999. So I was wondering how good the Premium Sound from Ford sounded compared. I do like the simpler settings of the factory Ford radio. I'm sure there are settings on the Sony cd player I'm using in the 98 Ranger now that I haven't even found. That's why I was looking for the 98 Ranger Premium Sound radio but all of them I get now aren't working. The ones the radio rebuilders offer are more for the rebuilt Premium radios than a whole new aftermarket system that would even include speakers. I still wasn't able to find out 100% for sure if 98 Rangers with Premium Sound actually came with amplifiers to make the 80-Watt stated in the dealer brochure. Ford told me no they didn't come with amplifiers and the factory repair manual doesn't mention an amplifier either in all of the audio section. All the radio rebuilders I've contacted said if there are 3 pinned plugs on the back then it should have an AMP but I believe I've seen base radios with the same 3 connectors pinned out.
#4
ON some Rangers with the extended cab ( if it came with premium sound ) the amp was on passenger side behind the passenger seat under the molding below the extended cab glass vent window somewhere,,,,i also read on some not extended cab ( if it had premium sound ) it could be a amp under passenger side kick panel,,, i think that was the info you wanted and hope it is correct !!!!!!!!!!!
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