Ford Stereo Display problems
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Ford Stereo Display problems
I bought my truck about 6 months ago, and when I bought it, stereo was fine. The display started to occasionally fade out for a few seconds and then come back to normal. Well, now it won't even come on. I flick the lights on and off, turn the dimmer switch, nothing. The truck is a 98 4x4 Ranger XLT, with the CD/CASS/AM/FM stereo. Anyone know of a fix for this problem? I've looked for stereo's on Ebay, and have seen a few from the Rangers, Explorers, etc but some of the auctions don't seem 'right.' (no info reguarding what vehicle the unit is from.) It seems to be a common problem. I'd like to stay away from aftermarket stereo too. I like the way mine looks and sounds, plus the money is a little tight right now. Also, does anyone know if the stereo has built in pre-amp outputs? I know some of the explorers came with a subwoofer in the back, with the same stereo as mine. Just curious how that works. I'd appreciate any info or fixes. Thanks in advance...
Brian J Wilson
Brian J Wilson
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Ford Stereo Display problems
The high voltage power supply for Ford stereo units have been dying for years. They frequently will operate only at certain temperatures. The power supply can $ometimes be replaced by a repair shop.
Good luck!
Thanks for using FTE!
[font color=red]As a Moderator I do not "Subscribe" to most topics,
please send email/pm if you need a reply -Thanks![/font]
-
Good luck!
Thanks for using FTE!
[font color=red]As a Moderator I do not "Subscribe" to most topics,
please send email/pm if you need a reply -Thanks![/font]
-
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 330
Likes: 1
From: W-S
Ford Stereo Display problems
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Dec-02 AT 06:41 PM (EST)]Dose the radio still work? If it's just the display that won't light up, you may be able to do the fix yourself. I don't know the radio type you have, but in some of the older fords you simply remove the face plate (after you've removed the radio from the dash) and the light holder came out same as a dash light. You unplug the bulb and plug in a new one. Hope this helped.
Good luck
Good luck
New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Algonquin
Ford Stereo Display problems
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Dec-02 AT 07:32 PM (EST)]The newer radios don't have bulbs. The lighting is built into the faceplate and has a few wires running to the back of the radio. I thought I spotted a how-to somewhere for re-soldering a connection that is prone to coming loose inside those radios, but haven't been able to find it for a while.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Ford Stereo Display problems
The new stuf uses "Vacuum Flourescent" display parts. They tend to dim and go out with age.
Thanks for using FTE!
[font color=red]As a Moderator I do not "Subscribe" to most topics,
please send email/pm if you need a reply -Thanks![/font]
-
Thanks for using FTE!
[font color=red]As a Moderator I do not "Subscribe" to most topics,
please send email/pm if you need a reply -Thanks![/font]
-
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Ford Stereo Display problems
Thanks everyone. Come to find out, my aftermarket 'sucker' warranty just might cover repair for the stereo. Still $100 deductable, but it could be worse I guess. Reading through the warranty, it looks to me that it's covered. The guy at the local dealership said that it looked like it did. He called the dealership I bought it from and even those idiots weren't positive about it... I have to call the company that I bought it from on Monday. Meanwhile, I'll try to find out how much a shop would charge to fix it. That is, unless, I feel the urge to take it out and mess with it myself (doubt it)...
Brian J Wilson
1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 5spd SuperCab
Brian J Wilson
1998 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 4.0 5spd SuperCab
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Ford Stereo Display problems
If you're looking for instructions on how to do it yourself with pictures, you might want to try: <p>
<a href="http://www.shareamemory.com/radio">www.shareamemory.com/radio</a> <p>
<img border="0" src="http://www.shareamemory.com/radio/2003_09_06.JPG" width="471" height="260"> <p>
The site has detailed pictures of the whole process to fix your display and also details on different scenerios you may run into while doing the repair. It worked for me.<p>
<img border="0" src="http://www.shareamemory.com/radio/02_12_connections.jpg" width="640" height="474">
<a href="http://www.shareamemory.com/radio">www.shareamemory.com/radio</a> <p>
<img border="0" src="http://www.shareamemory.com/radio/2003_09_06.JPG" width="471" height="260"> <p>
The site has detailed pictures of the whole process to fix your display and also details on different scenerios you may run into while doing the repair. It worked for me.<p>
<img border="0" src="http://www.shareamemory.com/radio/02_12_connections.jpg" width="640" height="474">
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Ford Stereo Display problems
why spend 100 dollars on getting your stock radio fixed?
you can go to circuit city and pick up a nice radio installed for about 150..they look nice and sound better than stock.
just a thought..
you can go to circuit city and pick up a nice radio installed for about 150..they look nice and sound better than stock.
just a thought..
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Ford Stereo Display problems
Couple pf reasons...
$150-100= $50 less that I would have to spend
I actually like the way the stereo looks. ( I don't, however, like the older ford stereo's like what probably came in your 91).
I like that it has CD and Tape, and the sound isn't too bad. Anything with better sound will be more than $150.
I HATE the way almost all new stereo's look, with multicolor displays and such, most of them just look like crap, and draw attention to thieves. I'm trying to keep radio gear that I'll be installing soon as low profile and out of sight as possible.
I have a warranty, and I KNOW some things are going to break soon
(possibly hubs and water pump?) so I might as well wait until something breaks and get it all fixed while paying only one deductable (I hope!).
Oh yeah, don't really care for the way the dash kits look for regular sized stereos fitting into the bigger opening on the dash either.
Brian J Wilson
$150-100= $50 less that I would have to spend
I actually like the way the stereo looks. ( I don't, however, like the older ford stereo's like what probably came in your 91).
I like that it has CD and Tape, and the sound isn't too bad. Anything with better sound will be more than $150.
I HATE the way almost all new stereo's look, with multicolor displays and such, most of them just look like crap, and draw attention to thieves. I'm trying to keep radio gear that I'll be installing soon as low profile and out of sight as possible.
I have a warranty, and I KNOW some things are going to break soon
(possibly hubs and water pump?) so I might as well wait until something breaks and get it all fixed while paying only one deductable (I hope!).Oh yeah, don't really care for the way the dash kits look for regular sized stereos fitting into the bigger opening on the dash either.
Brian J Wilson
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Ford Stereo Display problems
Brian,
I feel the same way. My stereo display went and a lot of people said just go buy an aftermarket unit and be done with it (not bad advice). But I like my stock radio (its the dual media w/subwoofer) so I brought it to an authorized Ford radio dealer (not Ford) to have it fixed (cost me $100). I feel it was $ well spent.
I feel the same way. My stereo display went and a lot of people said just go buy an aftermarket unit and be done with it (not bad advice). But I like my stock radio (its the dual media w/subwoofer) so I brought it to an authorized Ford radio dealer (not Ford) to have it fixed (cost me $100). I feel it was $ well spent.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
Ford Stereo Display problems
heh, I bought my girlfriend a Pioneer stereo for her Vovlo, for Chirstmas. I had found one that was okay, that looked good in her car. Anyway, stereo's been in there for a while now, and the dash kit FINALLY got installed today, and the stereo now sticks out of the dash about 1 1/2", not a big deal, just kind of ruins the look. Looks like crap. No way would I let that pass in my truck
Brian J Wilson
Brian J Wilson
New User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I bought my truck about 6 months ago, and when I bought it, stereo was fine. The display started to occasionally fade out for a few seconds and then come back to normal. Well, now it won't even come on. I flick the lights on and off, turn the dimmer switch, nothing. The truck is a 98 4x4 Ranger XLT, with the CD/CASS/AM/FM stereo. Anyone know of a fix for this problem? I've looked for stereo's on Ebay, and have seen a few from the Rangers, Explorers, etc but some of the auctions don't seem 'right.' (no info reguarding what vehicle the unit is from.) It seems to be a common problem. I'd like to stay away from aftermarket stereo too. I like the way mine looks and sounds, plus the money is a little tight right now. Also, does anyone know if the stereo has built in pre-amp outputs? I know some of the explorers came with a subwoofer in the back, with the same stereo as mine. Just curious how that works. I'd appreciate any info or fixes. Thanks in advance...
Brian J Wilson
Brian J Wilson
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
norman2012
Excursion - King of SUVs
15
Jul 24, 2016 11:12 AM
fz1dave
Audio & Video Systems, Navigation, Satellite Radio & Mobile Electronics
59
Apr 6, 2015 10:04 PM
