1999 Explorer CD changer not working

[Booty900]

I have a 1999 Explorer with a 6 disc CD changer in the arm rest between the driver and passenger seat. A couple weeks ago I ejected it and put a new CD in it. When I put it back in it didn't work. The dislpay would say either no CD or it would say CD 0 TRK 0. No matter what it says it goes to the radio after a couple seconds. When I tried to eject the CD changer thing it would not eject. So now it is stuck in there and won't work. At first I thought it wasn't working since it was 4 degrees outside. But now I think it might be jammed or something else. So how do I fix this problem? thanks

 

[617ricky]

Good luck, many on here have had problems with the cd changers (mine in my 97 broke a couple yrs ago).. They're not worth replacing really either, cuz for the same price you can just put a new deck in.. I scored a decent 1 on ebay for $15 a cpl wks ago, and it cost me another $20 for the installation gear, but it was well worth it.. I can now play mp3 cd's, have an aux input in front, and also have a USB port and SD card slot too.. Sure as hell beats a 6-disc changer.

 

[Joe Dirt]

unfortunately 617ricky is right. The stock changers while good units, are so integrated into the factory deck, they're about impossible to work around. Too expensive to fix, and the cheapest solution is to get a new deck. I scored a Pioneer HU with a front input stereo jack that I plug my mp3 player into and play with. For $103 it was a great solution, and the green lights of the unit match the dash lights perfectly- one of the things that kept me from getting an aftermarket deck for a while. I just don't like the non-matching look of a non-factory deck.

 

[Booty900]

If I get a new deck would my 2 subs and amp still work? Also how difficult would it be to install a new deck and connect all the wires? Would I have to buy additional things for it to work? Also would I still have my steering wheel controls or no? thanks

 

[Booty900]

Here is a deck that I would get

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158GT540UI/Sony-CDX-GT540UI.html?tp=5684&tab=detailed_info

Crutchfield says they give the things I need to install it. Do they give me everything or is there something else I need? Also would this work with the amp and subs?

 

[617ricky]

If I get a new deck would my 2 subs and amp still work? Also how difficult would it be to install a new deck and connect all the wires? Would I have to buy additional things for it to work? Also would I still have my steering wheel controls or no? thanks

Are you talking about the stock sub and amp? Or aftermarket? I can answer better after I know that.

 

[Booty900]

They are aftermarket.

 

[ford99_1979]

I have a working cd changer in my 1996 limited that I am not using. if interested let me know.

 

[617ricky]

They are aftermarket.

And they're hooked up to the stock headunit? If you have a CD changer, I'm guessing you have a stock amp in there as well, you know if you're using that too? If your amp/subs that you are using is connected with RCA cable (red/white plugs), then it'll be very easy to hook it up to a new deck.. Even if it's currently hooked up some other way, all you'll need is RCA cable to do it.. I'm curious how it's hooked up right now tho.

 

[Booty900]

And they're hooked up to the stock headunit? If you have a CD changer, I'm guessing you have a stock amp in there as well, you know if you're using that too? If your amp/subs that you are using is connected with RCA cable (red/white plugs), then it'll be very easy to hook it up to a new deck.. Even if it's currently hooked up some other way, all you'll need is RCA cable to do it.. I'm curious how it's hooked up right now tho.

I don't really know how they are hooked up. I bought this car from my brother a year ago and they where already there. Right now there is a 2 12" subs in the truck with a 1600 watt amp on top. The single CD player in the deck does not work so the CD changer was the only one that worked but not any more. The reason my brother got the subs and amp was because the stock sub got blown. Im not sure about the stock amp though. I will ask him the next time I see him.

 

[617ricky]

It sounds like you're just running that amp by itself then with the subs (and not the stock 1 if it is there).. So you can check to see if it's connected with a 2-way RCA cable (red/white plugs), and if it is just use that and connect it to the new deck.. And if it has something different, you can always just buy an RCA cable and use that.. No matter what tho, you shouldn't have any problems hooking it up to a new deck.

 

[techboj]

It looks like you still have you stock headunit and from there the external amp and subs are receiving a signal either from an (LOC) line out converter. As 617ricky mentioned - look for a set of RCA wires coming from the a box connected behind the deck. Or better yet, go to the aftermarket amp, look for the rca cables leading fron the amp - follow that wire and see where it leads to (since it's possible that the LOC was spliced closer to an existing speaker.

As far as the deck of choice - some would say do not go for sony. However, I have had good experience with sony decks. The previous one installed on my 99 sport was a motorized CDX8805M. It worked good until the front display gave out. I replaced it with a CDXGT630UI which is almost identical in features to you deck of choice. (I havent changed the deck on my 06 EB though)

If the original setup you have includes the LOC then you no longer need this for your system since the new deck will have the necessary output. Crutchfield will supply almost everythnig needed for installation of the deck (harness, screws, dash kits etc). However, as 617ricky also mentioned, it would be a lot cheaper to source this out individually elsewhere. For you amp and sub setup, you really do not have to change a lot. You just need to find the signal wires (possibly RCA) and the amp turn of wire

The next issue will be the door speakers. I do not know if you have door aftermarket speakers. If this is the case then all you have to do is to compare and follow the wiring harness on the sony deck and then connect this to the supplied ford-specific harness by crutchfield. Keep in mind though that if your door speakers are OEM and not aftermarket, they will not hold up to the increased power of the sony deck. So just check if you have oem door speakers, if they are then upgrade (if possible) to any aftermarket ones. If buying from crutchfield, they would supply you with the adapter cables and plates.

As for your steering wheel control - the sony deck will not work with your existing controls. You have to wire some sort of adapter. Crutchfield recommends the PAC-SWI-PS. It is a bit more involved but is usually just a 3 or 4-wire connection (comes with a wiring harness) and just plugs in via mini-stereo jack (1/8 plug) to the back of your sony unit. This however adds another $75 to the cost.