(click on any image for larger)

I didn't see this covered before. On our old Fords, the dark display is merely a burned-out bulb. The bulb number is 74, and is available pretty much everywhere. I bought mine at my FLAPS.

This is the third Ford radio I've "fixed". My '89 had the dark display years ago. Yesterday, I just fixed the one in my '93.

To check to see if your dark display is a burned-out bulb, use a flashlight and shine it at the display. If you can read the clock (radio off) or the frequency (radio on), then the illumination lamp is not working, and chances are that replacing it will fix it.

You'll have to remove the radio from the dash. Step one is deciding whether to buy the Ford radio removal tool or use alternate means.

The OTC 7575 works well, but other brands are available. I am told that to pieces of coat hanger work too, but I've tried that and it takes a "touch". The tool has the notches that hold it in place better than coat hanger material. This tool works for a lot of '90s Ford OEM radios. I bought this one in 1999.




The next step is to remove the surround plastic. The '92-on dash like my '93 has two T-20 screws behind the ashtray, plus a lot of pop-clips to remove it. Early Aeros have different plastic and mountings, but the idea is the same. For the late dashes, a couple of wires to remove (cigar lighter, two lamps for cigar lighter and ashtray, and the rear wiper and rear defrost switches, if equipped).

Once you've removed the surround plastic, you have to use the tool or equivalent to remove the radio from the dash. Insert both pieces into the removal holes, and pull!



One common Ford stereo. These come in several variations, including with and without the cassette player, and with/without fader. The Premium Sound option (separate EQ) changes some of the ***** on this unit as well.



A close-up of the retaining clips that the removal tool engages. Knowing what they look like may help, if you decide to go the coat-hanger route.



The slider guide must be removed in order to remove the top cover. One nut. The top cover just lifts off from the back (hinges at the front).



Bulb socket (black) and reflector housing (white):



Be gentle with the socket, this old plastic gets brittle. The black bulb socket is a bayonet mounting into the white plastic housing. Turn it gently counterclockwise (viewed from rear) about 10° and pull back to remove.



Once the socket is removed, just pull the bulb straight out .