CD changer help

[Mr XLT]

Getting closer

So what does the connection look like in the CD changer you have Heath? Is it round(about 1/2 inch diamiter) with with a bunch of small holes for the wire to go into? If I get the factory head unit part# would this help at all?



Greg

 

[Mr XLT]

O.K.

I pulled the factory head unit. Part#:F67F-18C852-BA


There are 3 wires from the small little Kenwood box next to the radio that are crimmped with the wire connectors to the factory wires to the stereo(not factory i am assuming). I am alomost sure that the CD changer that used to in here was aftermarket. So I have to find a Kenwood changer for this to work right? Heath's changer would not work?


Greg

 

[Robert]

In '97 the four radios available were AM/FM Search Radio, AM/FM Premium Stereo Cassette without CD/DJ, AM/FM Premium Stereo Cassette with CD/DJ and JBL Luxury Audio System with CD/DJ. According to my '97 Ford Audio Guide there was only one JBL radio. The following came from my '97 Explorer Audio Guide:

"AUDIO SYSTEM CONTROLS

The controls shown are from the Premium Stereo Cassette with CD/DJ compatibility and the JBL Luxury Audio System with CD/DJ compatibility. If your vehicle is equipped with the AM/FM Search Radio or the AM/FM Premium Stereo Cassette with External Power Amplifier, your controls will appear the same as with the illustrated Premium Stereo Cassette with CD/DJ compatibility, but without the “DISCS” designation seen here. If you did not purchase a CD DJ with your vehicle, these functions will not operate. If you decide to upgrade your vehicle with a CD DJ, your radio can be used to operate all CD DJ functions."

This says that if you have either Premium Radio or the JBL "it can be used to operate all CD DJ functions" if you decide to upgrade later. The JBL will already be labled with "disc" on it and the Premium radio will be labled with "disc" if it originally was equipped with the CD/DJ or without "disc" if it wasn't, however the controls will still work.

 

[expo5.0]

i thought it was much simpler than this. his kenwood stuff can be tossed, then he can buy a stock CD changer and the applicable wiring from one of us and plug it into the back of his stock headunit that already has the CD changer controls integrated into it. (at least thats the way it worked on my uncles 97 mountie which we recently upgraded as you are attempting)

 

[Robb]

This thread has gotten too technical for me to understand, but I got to throw this out. I have a stock CD changer from a '97 if anyone is interested. I don't mean to step on anyone's toes that has offered one previously in this thread, and if their's will work for you, PLEASE buy theirs! I was just throwing this out if you can use mine and others won't work.

Robb

 

[Mr XLT]

I figured it out

I went to the dealership and the audio tech guy was able to tell me the following: My explorer did not come with a factory CD changer but did have the CD changer controls on the head unit,I cannot hook up a normal factory CD changer to it, this perticular head unit has no CD changer input in the back of it. I have to get an FM modulated aftermarket one. This the only way w/o screwing up the entire audio system.

The small black Kenwood box next to the head unit is an FM modulator put in by the previous owner for the changer that used to be in it. I just have to find the CD changer that goes with that Modulator and I am as good as gold.


Thanks for all of your help guys, what a freakin head ache, sorry I cannot buy your changer Heath.


Greg

 

[Heath]

Dosen't matter to me, not my changer, I'm just selling it for someone... I don't believe the guy at ford though... Why would they make a deck with changer controls but that you can't plug the changer into the back of it... i'm willing to bet that what he means is that the changer wire just isn't in place... You have to buy that probably... And that can be had for about $25 online...

 

[Robb]

How can your HU have CD controls, yet no CD changer input?

Time for a new tech guy!!!

Robb

 

[Mr XLT]

Up in the air

I am not sure, the tech guy could have been smokin.I think the easiest thing for me to do is to find a CD changer that plugs into the FM modulaotor because everything is already hooked up and ready to go, all i need is the changer, I got the model numbers at the "Kenwood" site.


Mr XLT

 

[cobrajeff]

Your "Tech Guy" was about 1/2 right

Your Tech Guy was right so far as saying that there is no place to plug a changer into the back of your head unit. The 1995-97 Explorers with the Ford JBL Audio System use a unique "distributed" architecture, which, in essence, means your "head unit" is not a "head unit" after all, it is merely a media player with a display.

Most of the circuit boards and IC's that would normally be in a "head unit" are mounted in the back of the truck in a device we called the "Rear Control Unit" (RCU for short - base part number -18C851-). Most people think it is just a 4 channel amp, but, in the case of these systems, it is also the tuner module for the radio. THIS is where the CD Changer plugs in (for 1995-97 Explorers with JBL ONLY).

I don't think we "pre-wired" these for changers - I believe the changer wire harness was part of the -14401- main wire harness (an EVTM manual should tell).

All that being said, if you can find the factory 14 pin CD Changer connector in the console, or under the carpet somewhere near the console, you could probably hook up a factory changer, If that harness is NOT there, it will probably be cheaper to go with the FM Modulated changer.

regards,

Jeff

 

[Mr XLT]

Re: Your "Tech Guy" was about 1/2 right

Originally posted by cobrajeff

All that being said, if you can find the factory 14 pin CD Changer connector in the console, or under the carpet somewhere near the console, you could probably hook up a factory changer, If that harness is NOT there, it will probably be cheaper to go with the FM Modulated changer.

regards,

Jeff

So my X could be prewired from the amp to or near the center console. I'll check that out.


Thanks for all of your help man, you are an Xploder audio gu ru! Do you work for Ford?

Greg

 

[cobrajeff]

Do you work for Ford?

"Used to" - that's new for me - just retired (01/01/03) after thirty-three years.

About half my career was spent in Audio Systems.



regards,

Jeff

 

[Robert]

Cobrajeff is correct about the JBL wiring from the CD changer goes to the RCU (my Ford CD calls it a remote chassis unit though rather than a rear control unit). In either case it is mounted behind the passenger side panel. The plug from the CD changer goes to connector C292 which is the huge 3"x3" plug at the front of your console with the bolt through the center of it. From there the wires go to the RCU (and many other places). All you should need (if you don't already have it installed) is the harness from connector C292 to the CD changer and a factory CD changer. You might have to pull your console out to see if the connector is already their like Jeff said. I'm just going by what my '97 Explorer Audio guide says that if you have the JBL without the CD changer and want to add it later all you have to do is plug it in. Does your JBL head unit have controls that are labeled "disc"? Even if it didn't, since the CD changer doesn't plug into the head unit, you won't have an unused connector on the back of it anyway.