Clock Display

[csmajik4]

I have an 03 Explorer XLT. How in the world to you make the default display to be the clock or time instead of the radio station? It's beginning to drive me crazy to always have to hit the clock button to see the time. I know I am missing something simple, but I can not find that information anywhere.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Chris

 

[Charlie]

I believe if you hold the clock button for a few seconds it will switch.

 

[E.B. Cornburner]

Must have a different radio than mine...Mine displays both the station and time at all times.
It also has RDS display, but has a speech impedement. I get wierd messages like "10Z LLEY ' ON" when it should scroll, "MAGIC 104 WBJZ THE VALLEYS #1 RADIO STATION".

It doesn't matter how strong the RDS signal is either...I'm wondering if the radio itself has a problem. Other Fords have worked nicely in this regard.

 

[csmajik4]

I don't have the super special talking radio with the speech impediment. Ha Ha
No, in all seriousness I have the version that is just under the 6 disc changer model. It is single disc and cassette. No RDS. When I start the vehicle up it displays the radio station. Until I hit the clock button it won't show the time. Now when I hold the clock button down, it indeed will switch back to the time after I change the station. However after I turn the vehicle off and get out then get back in to go somewhere else, it starts all over again. I would hate to have to add a silly LCD clock just so I can see what time it is and ruin the clean look of my interior. Anyone out there have any ideas?

 

[andypinto]

I have the same radio that you in my Explorer 2002 and according to the owner's manual, when you press the clock button you switch between media display mode (radio station, CD track, etc) and time display mode. So, when you press the clock button once, you will see the time and if you change the radio station, or play a CD or tape, the media information displays for 10 secs and then swith back to the time. Also when you turn off the radio or turn off the car and start it again the time will be displayed.
Well, the symptoms you describe lead to a radio failure (maybe a faulty switch). I my radio if you press the clock button once, the time is allways displayed, and the time display return when the radio is turned off an on again. The only procedure when you need to press and hold the clock button is when you have to set the time.
Hope it heps.
Happy rides
Andy

 

[csmajik4]

Well that is sad to know that I may have to replace the stereo, but it definitely keeps going back to displaying the radio station as the default after I turn off the ignition. Oh well, guess that is a good excuse to get an upgrade. Thanks guys for your input.

 

[ambushed22]

CSMagik4, you're not alone

I also have an '03 Explorer XLT which exhibits the identical symptoms. My brother-in-law has the identical sound system in his '02 Explorer XLT and it works exactly as it should. My radio will display time only if I hit 'CLK'. It will display media info when I change an audio or radio setting and then revert to time display about 10 seconds later. But if I power off the radio, upon power on it will default to media display instead of defaulting to time display.

This has to be logic glitch in the audio system and I'd bet there are plenty more of us out there who may not be aware of the problem. I didn't even realize it was a problem until I saw the difference between my display and my brother-in-law's display.

 

[Donner]

All of those things and the h/u would overheat... I ripped it out and had an aftermarket put in not long after I bought it, replaced that one this year, and it (the new h/u) has an ipod connector, so the cd changer went too... The glitch is a blessing in disguise! If you have to pay to have it repaired, you might want check an alternative solution. I have no more cds in my vehicle, no more empty cases, more space, and no malfunctioning head unit.

 

[csmajik4]

Well after this holiday weekend, I found out another bad thing about my radio. I have all my presets on FM1 like most people. Then while spending a weekend away, I decided to set FM2 to the local stations in the area. Now that I am home, my FM1 stations are gone. So now I reset them and my FM2 stations are gone. Seems like my radio can only handle one set of presets. Good thing Christmas is right around the corner. Seems like a good time to replace this factory one.
Happy Holidays to you all!

 

[Donner]

There's a button

You can hit a button and returns your original stations... Is it too late?