1998 Explorer Radio/CD Problems
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
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1998 Explorer Radio/CD Problems
Greetings,
My cd player audio stops working occasionally. It will sometimes sound like it is skipping and will start up again. Other times it just stays off for a period of time. This does not seem temperature related and not sure that it is vibration related. Also, when listening to the radio I can hear a faint whine/buzz that varies in frequency and repeats. It almost sounds as if the power antenna motor is still running although the antenna does work normally. If anyone has any thoughts on either of these problems your input is appreciated.
Thanks
My cd player audio stops working occasionally. It will sometimes sound like it is skipping and will start up again. Other times it just stays off for a period of time. This does not seem temperature related and not sure that it is vibration related. Also, when listening to the radio I can hear a faint whine/buzz that varies in frequency and repeats. It almost sounds as if the power antenna motor is still running although the antenna does work normally. If anyone has any thoughts on either of these problems your input is appreciated.
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
1998 Explorer Radio/CD Problems
My wife's 98 Exploder has the exact same problems. For Christmas I got her a new JVC cd/mp3 player and replaced the factory one. Problem solved 
It sounds soooo much better....even with the stock speakers.
You could probably have the stereo fixed but it may cost more than it's worth which isn't much. Your local Ford dealer would know who they send stereos to to be fixed. At our dealer we send them to a Ford authorized repair place and they seem to have much better luck fixing them than the local guys.
It sounds soooo much better....even with the stock speakers.You could probably have the stereo fixed but it may cost more than it's worth which isn't much. Your local Ford dealer would know who they send stereos to to be fixed. At our dealer we send them to a Ford authorized repair place and they seem to have much better luck fixing them than the local guys.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 52
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My girlfriend has a 98 mountaineer, and the light in the radio doesn't work. You can't tell what time, or station your playing. But sometimes when you start it up the lights work, until you drive it then it goes out again. Is there a loose wire or short?
Brian.
Brian.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 111
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From: TX
power supply board.....theres a site that shows you how to fix it, it involves resoldering/reflowing a few resistors that tend to over heat.......but you sometimes have to do it 3 or 4 times until fixed. Not worth it to me if you ask me. Beleive me, for all the trouble you have to go through taking the board out, resoldering it, puting it back in to see if it works then having to take it back out and resolder it again and so on and so on is a pain. I just bought a new deck and whaaa laaaa problem fixed.
I cant remember the site that has the fix but if you do a search for your problem i believe someone has posted that site somewhere........good luck
I cant remember the site that has the fix but if you do a search for your problem i believe someone has posted that site somewhere........good luck
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: TX
Hey Racerguy,
I have a 98 explorer 5.0L that I'm trying to replace the pcv valve on. I've heard that its dead centered right behind the upper intake and you pretty much need the worlds smallest hands to get at it. If you can, is there any tricks that you can share with us on how to replace this valve?
One more ? before I go. I'm also needing to replace my upper and lower balljoints on my X which is also 2wd. I know the upper joints, you have to replace the whole upper control arm and i was also reading in my haynes manual that on the lower ball joints, you have to replace the lower control arm as well. I was looking at the lower ball joint and noticed a snap ring around the top of the joint. To me it looks like it can be pressed out and pressed back in with a new one. Is this true?
I have a 98 explorer 5.0L that I'm trying to replace the pcv valve on. I've heard that its dead centered right behind the upper intake and you pretty much need the worlds smallest hands to get at it. If you can, is there any tricks that you can share with us on how to replace this valve?
One more ? before I go. I'm also needing to replace my upper and lower balljoints on my X which is also 2wd. I know the upper joints, you have to replace the whole upper control arm and i was also reading in my haynes manual that on the lower ball joints, you have to replace the lower control arm as well. I was looking at the lower ball joint and noticed a snap ring around the top of the joint. To me it looks like it can be pressed out and pressed back in with a new one. Is this true?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 660
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Check out this site for the radio display problem - www.shareamemory.com/radio
You can get the intructions or they have a swap program. I used them and I was very pleased.
Mson
You can get the intructions or they have a swap program. I used them and I was very pleased.
Mson
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 199
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I did the fix at the shareAmemory site (paid for the final info).
It is very detailed. Good pics, etc. You'll know exactly what to do.
It just involves soldering part of the circuit board. If you do this...get the little cheap-o soldering kit from Radio Shack (NOT from WalMart...it's to large). ALSO...get a roll of very fine soldering wire (not the smallest...but next to the smallest)....and make sure it is the type that has a higher level of silver content.
The instructions are not guaranteed to work. Evidently some folks follow them and nothing happens. I carefully followed them exactly. Did not feel I was doing anything special, really. But when I re-installed the radio...turned it on.....and "BLING".....it lit right up.
It's awfully nice having a clock again and not having to guess what radio station I'm on.
Hope this helps
It is very detailed. Good pics, etc. You'll know exactly what to do.
It just involves soldering part of the circuit board. If you do this...get the little cheap-o soldering kit from Radio Shack (NOT from WalMart...it's to large). ALSO...get a roll of very fine soldering wire (not the smallest...but next to the smallest)....and make sure it is the type that has a higher level of silver content.
The instructions are not guaranteed to work. Evidently some folks follow them and nothing happens. I carefully followed them exactly. Did not feel I was doing anything special, really. But when I re-installed the radio...turned it on.....and "BLING".....it lit right up.
It's awfully nice having a clock again and not having to guess what radio station I'm on.
Hope this helps
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