99 Taurus Radio/Clock light

Sometimes when I start my car, the Radio/Clock display doesn't illuminate. However, if I turn on the park or headlights, or if I just turn the ignition to battery power only, then the display illuminates! What's going on???
-Marc

You dimmer switch may be turned off. Check the dimmer switch position.

No, the dimmer switch isn't off. Sometimes when I turn the car on, the Radio/Clock light will illuminate (without the headlights on), but then it'll go off by itself after driving for 5-10 minutes, and may or may not come back on again by itself.

If it is a factory stereo then pull it and make sure that the connector is good and none of the pins are pushed in and not making contact. Other than that you may need a new radio. Sending it in to get it fixed could cost more than it's worth.

How do you take the factory radio out?
Thanks

On the right and left hand sides of the radio are four holes the size of a pen tip. Two on either side. You need to go to a parts store and buy Ford radio tools. If you ask for them as I called them "Ford Radio tools" they will know what you want. If they don't you are in the wrong parts store. They are U shaped metal tools about 2 inchs long. They get inserted into the holes on the radio face. When they are put in you should feel a snap or groove. At that point pull to the left towards the steering wheel with left one and towards the passenger vents with the right one. At the same time as you do this pull out and the radio will pop out, and you can pull the the rest out with your hands. If the tools pop out when trying to do this, and they probably will just start again. To reinstall it just line it up and push. It will snap it's self in with a little push. :sunglasse