I recently purchased a 98 Taurus wagon for my wife. It has the electronic climate control so there's no way to install an aftermarket head unit. The AM/FM cassette that's currently in it also has controls for a CD changer. When I hit the "CD" button, it gives a "No DJ"(?) message on the display. I looked behind the panel on the drivers side in the rear & did not see a changer. I also looked in the storage compartment on the passenger side & didn't see one nor did I see one under the floor where I assume a full sized spare goes. I did see a silver box behind the panel on the drivers side where the antenna and a harness plugs into, but I don't know the size as it's mounted vertically.
My question is this...do I have to find a CD changer specifically for a Taurus or will other (i.e. F150, Grand Marquis, etc) work? I've been looking on eBay, but sometimes the changers have different part #'s & I don't want to get the wrong one.
Also, I assume I can upgrade the speakers. Any recommendations for the front? It seems it has tweeters up by the windows on the doors. I've been thinking about replacing them with a component set, but one guy I talked to at a stereo shop acted like the factory unit wouldn't have enough power to drive aftermarket speakers...true?
Thanks for any help!

No DJ means, no disk jockey which refers to the CD sleeve that you insert into the disc changer. Two of my SHO's had to have that repaired.

You can run an aftermarket stero it just envolves wire splicing and clever hiding of the unit. I choose the driver side console.

Another option would be to buy a portable CD player that comes with a cassette tape adapter. I have one and the sound quality is as good as if I had a CD changer built in. Just a thought.

No DJ means, no disk jockey which refers to the CD sleeve that you insert into the disc changer. Two of my SHO's had to have that repaired.

You can run an aftermarket stero it just envolves wire splicing and clever hiding of the unit. I choose the driver side console.

I assume i'll get that message since I can't find the changer itself anywhere.
Should it be behind that panel where the doughnut spare is?

Ford tends to put the CD changer in one of four spots.

Mounted to the glove box, in the trunk near the speakers, in the trunk on the left side and built into the actual head unit.

You would need to get down your owners manual and look or find someone on here with first hand knowledge.

According to the service manual, the CD changer for your Taurus Wagon should be installed vertically behind the rear quarter trim panel. It appears this would be on the left hand side of the car once you open the liftgate.

-Rod

That's where I thought, but there's a doughnut spare there. It seems there's a bracket as well. I don't know if it's meant to help stabalize the spare or to secure the changer to.

Well either way you go about it seems your's is missing. You can go with an aftermarket CD Changer or go with a complete aftermarket kit.

USA-Spec brand from Crutchfield would be your best bet, Ford brand will cost between 800-1000 dollars and they break easy.

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/autoinfo/autoinfo.asp?s=0&cc=01&vehicleid=0