'99 Premium (Mach?) system...display not coming on. Help!

[Thallarsen]

I just got a '99 Ltd. with the system that has the RDS. The manual refers to it as the Mach system.
The active display showing the settings, volume, time, station, etc. doesn't come on....except sometimes.
It doesn't seem like a bad connection, since it fades on and off instead of flashes. Also tapping, jiggling, pressing buttons, etc. make no difference.
All of the other backlights on the head unit are on when the headlights light up.
The manual says this:

Your audio system is equipped with selective lighting, a unique lighting
strategy. This lighting feature is operable when the headlamps are
illuminated. During the operation of any selected mode, lighting for the
individual function controls will either illuminate or turn off. Those
controls which have a function for the specific mode of operation
selected will be lit, while the controls which have no function for that
mode will be turned off.

What does that mean?

Also, are the oem speakers decent in this system...I have some good Polks that I pulled from my '91 XLT (rest it's totaled soul) that sounded good. Is it worth the replace?

 

[Kevex]

I think they mean that when you have a specific mode on(radio, cd or tape) that only the buttons that you would use for that particular mode would be on and the buttons that you don't use would not be lit. Say you are listening to the radio, you would not use the buttons for fast forward on the tape player.
I am not sure about your display, but I think there are a few threads that say its a connection and how to clean the connections.
kevin

 

[Jesse 1965]

I feel your pain. I have a 99 Mounty with the same Mach unit. Display went out around 30k. Service writer told me there were alot of units crapping out. There is a posting somehere on how to fix yourself. Mine was under warranty, so it was a no brainer.
Good Luck

 

[ShadowA2J]

Originally posted by Thallarsen
Also, are the oem speakers decent in this system...I have some good Polks that I pulled from my '91 XLT (rest it's totaled soul) that sounded good. Is it worth the replace?

That's your call. Are you happy with the way your system sounds? If not, than replace them. Sound is a matter of personal preference. Me, I hated it so I replace everything.

 

[duharris]

Radio - Ford Blank Radio Display Do-It-Yourself Fix

If you're looking for instructions on how to do it yourself with pictures, try:

www.shareamemory.com/radio

The site has detailed pictures of the whole process to fix your display and also details on different scenerios you may run into while doing the repair.

 

[hrbib21]

I have the same vehicle/system as you. My display goes out for bit when I first start it up but then within 5 minutes, it's on and stays on. Strange. I'll be fixing the problem by buying a new head unit. I just hate to lose my steering wheel controls

 

[Garth]

Mine comes on when it feels like it and I can actually see a burn spot in the corner of the screen.
I am going to pull mine out and order the replacement board from the manufacturer.
I still cant make up my mind to part with the stocker.

 

[Thallarsen]

I went to the DIY fix site, and the guy gives a step by step on how to take the radio out which is a very comprehensive writeup.....for a somewhat simple task; but beyond that, he's selling (calling it a 'donation') the steps to do the actual fix. Is the repair simply a matter of cleaning and/or resoldering the blackened contact points to the display panel, or is there more to it than that?

J.P.