Replacing a JBL Premium Radio Control Head

My 92 Ford Taurus' radio has failed. The antenna rises a few inches above the fender before the unit shuts down the entire system and the antenna returns to the "off" position.

A replacement radio seems to work perfectly. The antenna rises, the CD energizes, and both units look for all the world to be among the living. However, there is no sound coming from the system, either from the Cassette Deck, CD Player, or the Radio. This was not the problem with the original system.

The replacement radio seems to be functioning properly, and I have confidence that the vendor honestly sold what he thought was a functioning radio. I am wondering if the radio is not somehow matched to the amplifiers, and if there is some sort of coding that is required to match a replacement radio to the amplifier system. Any ideas would be appreciated.

David

It should be a plug and play setup. All fords all have the same pinouts for their stereos. We used to lease Ford vehicles every 2 years at work and I've had a variety of Tempo, Rangers and F-150s. I had one deck for all my cars and had the same connector on all of them. I never had any problem with setting them up. Also when I first bought my 97 Taurus, I had taken the console apart to see how big a job it is to put a CD player in, and it's the same setup. Basically two conectors, one for power and one for speakers/amplifier. In a nut shell, from my 92 Tempo to my 99 f-150 they all used the same configuration. I would susspect a bad deck.

not all the same. some have different pinouts. Anyway, the replacement radio you bought is powered(built in amplifier). The radio you took out has a separate amp in the trunk. Therefore you plugged your powered(high level) radio into the low level (amplifier) wiring. The amplifier probably does not like the high level input and shuts down (short tolarance). You have to bypass the amplifier. I have done this and you would be better off getting a stock radio from the boneyard and plugging it up. If you want cd player have your local car audio shop install it and ask if they use soldered connections. These connections are best.

Sorry, I guess the syereos I dealt with all had no power amps on them. :uhoh:

Thanks for the replies. I am confident that I have the correct radio head replacement. I am aware of the morphadite situation with the Ford amplifiers (I actually have two, a high and low JBL amp). Part numbers, pins, and the slight differences between the faces of the premium radio and the standard radio all match up. (Premium radio has several multi-functional switches, more buttons, and differently shaped buttons, all matching the original [failed] radio) My thought was that perhaps an anti-theft device required a match between the radio head and the amps. Barring that, I would expect that there is a fuse or two somewhere between the control head and the amps. I guess my next option will be to go looking for those fuses since there seems to be no mismatch between the parts themselves.

Thanks again.

DHH

Where is the amp located on a 93 Taurus wagon?.....Premium Sound"

You'll find the amp located in the left rear quarter panel (driver's side), mounted on a bracket between the outer panel and the inner trimwork. You'll have to remove the plastic trim from the rear door all the way back to the spare tire compartment and remove the bracket that holds the amp in place on the support beam. It's not terribly obvious, the whole unit rides between the outer sheet metal and the inner bracing of the car.

It turned out that both my radio head and amp had failed on my 92, and ebay supplied replacements got the whole system running again for about 70 bucks.

If I can be of any help, email me and let me know.

David