Explorer Audio Problems

[technobandit96]

*I don't know where this should go because I already tried the Audio section of this web site and I have no responses. Please move this to the right place and section as needed. *

My issue is when I plug in the radio, my display is not working. This is an aftermarket radio that came with the car when I bought it. When I turn the key into accessory mode, it works but the car is not running and it does the opposite when the car is in running. (On but no display). Is there anyone out there that knows good wiring on these EX's that knows what I'm talking about.

 

[Mbrooks420]

First guess is you have an issue with the “illumination” wire that dims the head unit along with the interior lights.

Pull the radio and check for an orange wire with a white stripe. Try disconnecting this.

Has it ever worked appropriately?

 

[J_C]

It might help if you can dig up the wiring diagram or pinout/connector map for your aftermarket radio. The same yellow/black factory wire is supposed to be live in both run and accessory states. If your aftermarket radio has separate inputs for these two states, you might need to jumper the yellow/black wire to both inputs.

There's a link to the wiring diagrams for 5 versions of the audio system in my sig below, but note that there are more variations, for example my '98 has the premium sound system but no CD changer or sub, so you can't just go by whether it has those features to figure out which you have, yet on an XL it probably only had the base radio.

 

[technobandit96]

First guess is you have an issue with the “illumination” wire that dims the head unit along with the interior lights.

Pull the radio and check for an orange wire with a white stripe. Try disconnecting this.

Has it ever worked appropriately?

Yes it has but it's been a while.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Yes it has but it's been a while.

If it worked fine, and then just didn’t with no changes maybe the deck has some sort of an issue.

What kind of radio is it?

 

[J_C]

Yes it has but it's been a while.

In that case, was the rewiring to install the radio done well or a questionable job with wires potentially losing contact? If they aren't well-crimped or soldered and shrink wrapped, I'd go back over it wire by wire to make sure all connections are good.

 

[technobandit96]

Ok I may of overthought this. I turned the car on and made a test if the radiowhile the car was on. Turns out it was just the power button that needed to be pressed. But hey the good thing is I have a wonderful wiring diagram due to this project.