Headphone jacks behind driver's seat- how do you get them to work?

[APRILRAIN]

I have a 1996 ford wndstar and it has a small control panel for the audio system with 2 headphone jacks located by the window on the arm rest behind the driver's seat.
This thing has never worked- I've had the van for 6 months-. It had a basic factory radio in it and I just purchased a better system with a cd player and the rear control still doesn't work. I took the control panel apart and it looks fine(nothing broken, all the wires connected-looks like it should work).

Is there a special stereo or connection wire that will get this panel to function?
I'd appreciate any info- don't want to spend $160 on a new rear audio control panel just to find out that there was nothing wrong with the one I had.

[busboy4]

Hi
I don't know if you have the owners manual, so forgive me if I tell you something you know already. On the stock '96 radio you enable the panel to function by pressing the 1 an 3 preset buttons together. This will bring up a small headphone display on the radio dial indicating that rear control is enabled. I get no sound out of the headphones unless the speakers are off (button on rear console). Also, the volume control on the rear has no effect unless the headphones are in use.

Hope that helps. Not sure if your aftermarket radio can enable/disable the rear unit or not. Try preset one and three together.

[APRILRAIN]

thank you very much for the help- I don't have the vehicle's owner's manual (just the repair guide) so I had no idea that is how the rear audio console gets activated.
I was scammed on the stereo I just purchased - it has no presets!!! I'm taking it back on tuesday.
Do you know of any aftermarket cd stereos that will work or allow the operation of the rear audio console? Or is there a wire or connection I should pay close attention to when installing the stereo to ensure it will work?
Thanks again

[busboy4]

I couldn't tell you about an after market stereo. However, Crutchfield.com might be a good resource. I am not sure if an aftermarket stereo, even with presets would work the same, but they might be able to tell you. They sell wire harnesses and installation kits along with the stereo equipment and seem to have the whole thing figured out.

Good luck, and keep us posted. I have thought occasionally of an after market head, but never considered the rear cosole in the deal.