Radio display going out; CD won't work

I have a 1998 Ford Explorer XLT with AM/FM radio/CD/cassette player. It has the RDS, which I absolutely love. However, about a year ago the CD player quit working......it sounds like it is trying to eat my CD. :eek7: Then, the display started going off at whim. Now, the display does not work at all, which is very annoying as I rely on the clock and enjoy the RDS for telling the station and song info. :banghead:

My question is: Would it be beneficial to have the unit repaired, or just replace it? If replacing it, where would be the best place to find a good price for the same stereo unit, or a comparable one with the RDS system? Thanks for any help! :smile:

Mine is doing the same thing. Sometimes the CD player works, then the display goes out. Then none of the buttons work. The volume knob sometimes causes the sound to cut out entirely.

I'm actually looking at replacing mine with an aftermarket unit that will work with my iPod. I assume that fixing my radio will cost just as much as buying a new one.

After battleing radio, CD, power window and turn signal idicator (which all malfunction at will and seem to all be connected) I have decided what to replace: THE WHOLE DAMN EXPLORER SPORT! With a Toyota.

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.

Merlin, I'd be interested in that fix if you could email instructions to me. I'm at christofteberg@alaska.net. Thanks.

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.

Merlin: I would be interested in your method of fixing this problem also. Please e-mail the information to me also. E-mail: tinystitches@msn.com :smile:

Thanks

Originally Posted by Merlin7111
I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.
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Merlin: I would be interested in your method of fixing this problem also. Please e-mail the information to me also. E-mail: cynful27@hotmail.com

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.

Merlin I need this fix , could you pls send me the info. Yoohoo113@hotmail.com

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.

I have the same problem with my 98 explorer. Would you send me the fix?

I have the same problem bro. help me out with the instructions.
kboney@hotmail.com

im having the same problem help me out w the instructions

srh222@comcast.net

Hey Merlin - I've got a dead display too. What's the fix? Thanks! -mark (bitsyras@hotmail.com)

I would be interested in your method of fixing this problem also. Please e-mail the information to me also. E-mail: tkhathaway@hotmail.com

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.

Please send me those instructions also. I would really appreciate it.
lancerowland@cox.net

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.

Would appreciate a copy of the procedure you used to fix this problem.

Thanks:

Jack at jjmanley@cox.net

IF ANYONE GETS THE INFORMATION FROM MERLIN7111, COULD YOU PLEASE FORWARD THE INFORMATION TO ME? Thanks.
Linda.Heinrich@verizon.net

Merlin- would love to have your remedy e-mailed to me at:

dennis.allen@district6.org


Thanks,

Check your local junk yard for an Ranger/ Explorer radio. Maybe even ebay. IF your able to locate one, it will range from 100 dollars up. So it might be better off to go to an aftermarket radio.

Thanks to a very nice gentleman who e-mailed me the website, I am hoping to have found what I consider an inexpensive solution. :bananasmi This website will give you the instructions (for what I consider a very nominal fee) on how to fix it yourself; or, you can get a replacement board that is already fixed for a bit more money (still cheaper than a new....or even used.....radio). I have chosen to go with the replacement board and am highly optimistic in fixing this problem, along with the problem of my CD not ejecting! If you would like the website, just feel free to e-mail me at: Linda.Heinrich@verizon.net

Hope this helps anyone with this problem!

Could I please get the fix emailed to me as well. staylor1968@yahoo.com

Thanks!!!

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.
Can you email me the fix for the radio.

I would like to have the procedures to fix the radio light
thanks

Could I please get the fix emailed to me as well. staylor1968@yahoo.com

Thanks!!! IF YOU GO ON EBAY AND LOOK UP FORD EXPLORER SPORT RADIO REPAIR TWO PLACES COME UP. ONE FOR ABOUT 100.00 AND THE OTHER FOR ABOUT 60.00. CHECK IT OUT. I THINK FORD SHOULD FIX IT FOR FREE!!!!!!

IF YOU GO ON EBAY AND LOOK UP FORD EXPLORER SPORT RADIO REPAIR TWO PLACES COME UP. ONE FOR ABOUT 100.00 AND THE OTHER FOR ABOUT 60.00. CHECK IT OUT. I THINK FORD SHOULD FIX IT FOR FREE!!!!!! I JUST HAD MY RADIO FIXED FOR ONLY $49.00. CALL JAUN AT 631-754-0298 OR CHECK OUT HIS WEB SIGHT. WWW.STEREOREPAIRWORLD.CJB.NET AND TELL HIM BOB SAID TO CALL. GOOD LUCK. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS E-MAIL ME.

I'm new to the forum as of today and I'm having all kinds of minor problems with my 98 Explorer XLT. One of those is the same problem you guys are having with the display no longer..uh...displaying. Could you send me the fix as well? Thanks for your time.

Shepherd
clshep@pacbell.net

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.

Merlin - I am a first time user but was wondering if you could please
e-mail me the fix at jvt@fgi.net. Thank you.

Can someone post the instructions here?

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.

Merlin, I'd be interested in that fix if you could email instructions to me. I'm at jldsldnm@worldnet.att.net

Thanks Jerry

Merlin, please e-mail me the fix, too. Thanks

jrstaten@adelphia.net

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.

Hi, I would like to have the instruction for the radio fix.

Darin

Merlin, I'm also interested in fix. Tried to email you but it was blocked. If you're still willing to email: beeper@echoes.net . If you have explorer 4.0 XLT SOHC i may be able to help you out also.

I just jioned the forum today and am experiening the same display issue on my '99 Explorer. If anyone has the "fix" and would care to share you can email me at ajmerc@adelphia.net.

Thanks,
Tony

Don't know if you've fixed your radio yet, but the web site to get that information is www.shareamemory.com. I've repaired the display on two radios so far for less than $40. Broken down: $20 for the instructions and $20 for Radio Shack tools.

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.



I am having the same problem!!

I don't see merlin actively posting..........so if anyone could send the fix I would greatly appreciate it!!

Thanks

Dave

Sorry, you're going to have to spend the 20 bucks and buy the fix. Too many photos and pages to just "send you the fix." Besides, the guy who has that site has to pay a monthy fee to maintain it; he did the research; and he offers a service no one else does. I think that he deserves the $20.

Merlin, Having same problem. Please send to tseymour@pattersonmcclain.com

Merlin, Having same problem. Please send to tseymour@pattersonmcclain.com


found a link with the instructions for the fix. sorry no pics though. hope it helps everybody.



To try to re-solder the board....
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A LOW WATT SOLDERING IRON AND SMALL SOLDER.
~~~
Here's the directions that helped me...Good Luck:
By opening up the radio you will find a narrow display power board
With in the left side of the radio (faceplate toward you). This board
has a metal cover soldered to it, with a toroid (wire wound doughnut)
inside on one side, and a bank of surface mount resistors and
capacitors
on the bottom side. One end of the board (SCR heat sink) is screwed
to
the heat sink at the back of the radio, the board is secured with 2
metal bend-tabs, and it has a white mini connector on the other end
which connects to the faceplate. Remove the board from the radio.

On the bottom of the board look for surface mount components
R1057/C1071/R1058/C1083/R1064. The colder these resistor/capacitor
chipsets get, the brighter the display. I left the car out in the +5
f
degree weather and the display worked until it warmed up a little.
That
is how I was able to track it down to these temperature sensitive
parts. Freeze-it also helped after I narrowed it down to a few
components.

Here is the contact information for vendors who sell the replacement
board.

Me~Gober wrote:

I have traveled this road. I have a 1998 Ford Explorer with a blank
radio display cd\cassette\am\fm. I tried to re-solder the components
on the display power supply as suggested on previous posting with no
luck. I looked on ebay but didn't see anything worth buying. I again
tried to re-solder the board...still no luck. So this is what I have
learned. If you can't fix it with the re-solder posting, or don't
want to try it, you will need to replace the display power supply.
Most radio shops I called said they only do component level repairs
starting at $100.00. Then I found a few shops that have the circuit
boards for sell. The board comes in a 3 board set, a new power
supply
board and two new tuner type boards, sold as a "compound set". Here
are the shops I found that have it.
Speed-O-Tach, Inc. they sell the 3 boards for 73.95 + shipping (5.00
ish)
Auto Radio & Electronics PART NUMBER HWM0043
Corporate Office
4090 Pike Lane
Concord, CA 94520-1227
Toll Free: 1-800-442-4491
Tel: 925-691-4090
Fax: 925-691-4101
or
speedometerservice.com 3 boards cost is 82.82 6.75 shipping
Phone number
1-800-332-1827 Georgia Watts
1-800-241-2385 National Watts

I found other sites but the price jumped to 215.00!

The board is very easy to swap. Pull the radio out, take to 2 black
screws off the side of the face plate (1 on each side. Face the back
of the radio, now remove the screw in the top right corner. Pop the
front and top cover off the radio. Unplug the blue cable that leads
from the display to the display power supply. There are 2 tabs that
hold the power supply in. One is next to where the blue cable plugs
into the power supply. To find the other tab, look inside the half
circle on the tin heat shield. The board is painted white where the
tabs are. Now straighten the tabs with a screw driver. Pull straight
up on the tin heat shield. Now you have it out swap it with the new
one and put it all back together.

I had the same issue with my 98 Explorer Limited. I seached the forums and found a site, www.shareamemory.com/radio , which will sell you detailed step-by-step instructions (with photographs) to resolder for $19.95. If you don't like to solder, Duane has a 'Save Your Sanity' program, where he does all the soldering, and you phycally replace it for $104.99 (with a money back guarantee).

I went for the "Save Your Sanity' program, and everything went like clockwork. Now my radio works fine and I saved a few hundred dollars.

Don't live with no display - it was driving me crazy.

Dave

The cold solder joints in the power supply fail due to extreme heat. You can remelt/add solder and fix it temporarily. The power supply has some updates that should be performed when you pull it to fix it. These are only availabe at radio repair depots. I sent mine to a guy....he updated it and sent it back. Best 85 bucks I spent on this truck. Here's the address:
http://www.shareamemory.com/radio/
Let him fix it
Tell him a VERY satisfied customer recommended him.
Throw him some business...he's got two cute little girls to feed!:grinyes:
Hope this helps!

Hi Im Hoping To Get Your Fix On The Display Being Out My Email Is kisscrow@prodigy.net Cause Ford Dealers Want Alot Of Money To Send This In And Fix, Thank You For Your Help. John

Please send me the instructions, oldhbk76@yahoo.com

Please send me the instructions, oldhbk76@yahoo.com

I had the same problem and have fixed it PERMANATLY. Ford charges an arm and a leg and it usually breaks a month later. The fix is a little tricky and requires a soldering iron and about an hour of your time. E-Mail me if you are interested in the fix and I will send you the instructions.
I have a 99 Explorer with the same problems. Would appreciate the quick fix instructions.
I'm at marcus1512@hotmail.com

Thanks

I would like the radio fix please. My radio display works intermittently and I just replaced the radio. The previous one did not work at all. My email is slee69@yahoo.com Thanks, Sean

Do you guys actually read the thread before posting, asking for the instructions? Particularly, you should read posts #35 and #37. Merlin's post was in 2004, and he has not been an active poster. His post on this thread, post #4, asks you to send him a message, not post here asking him to e-mail you.

-Rod