I seem to have a werid factory radio.

[crtyree]

I just recently bought a '94 Limited and while looking at the owners manual, my head unit was not in it and it did not mention the cd changer. I seem to think that this one has a factory cd changer because there are controls on the head unit. But that aside, since buying it I came to find out that the radio reception is to put it bluntly, horrible. I can be right in front of a radio stations tower and not pick it up, and one other thing is that the subwoofer does not make any sound. What could be causing both the radio reception problems and the subwoofer not to fire? Could it be the head unit? And if so, will I lose the cd changer controls if I buy a replacement from a salvage yard?

Also, I did check to see if the antenna is plugged in and it is, so that's not the problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[davesexplorer]

Is it a factory HU from another year, or maybe an aftermarket HU? A pic would help.

 

[RocketFoot]

Radio Reception...Be sure to check the connection at the antenna mast...sometimes corrosion will make reception poor. (Easier said than done...you will probally have to remove the antenna base to get at the connection.)

Sub Woofer...I am a Dodge Infinity Veteran! I've spent countless hours troubleshooting my 96 Caravan's (God rest it's soul) Infinity system...and most of the time, the crappy intergrated factory amps are to blame. You can find repl amps in a salvage yard, but your probally better off getting a small external amp and wiring it in. Factory amps probally only put out 30-40 watts (guessing)...for that matter, replace the woofer while your at it. You will be much happier with the results!

 

[Brandons]

Make sure all connections on the back of the head unit are plugged in.... dont know how theyd just come out. As far as i can tell there is no such thing as a factory head unit for 91-94 that can control a changer. We requested a cd player in ours, which required a changer.

Was there ever a cd changer in it?

 

[wharriso]

Can you go to a discount auto parts store and get a replacement antenna with the cord? I remember that not being very expensive. You can reach around the dash and plug this into the back of the HU. If you still don't get reception, then your problem is definately in the HU.
________
Honda VTR1000

 

[crtyree]

Thanks a lot to everyone who replied. I went and took some pictures of the head unit and where the c.d. changer used to be. I took it out because the magazine for it was missing when I bought it. I hope these help.
( lost photos )

 

[Brandons]

Did you have to remove anything under the dash for it?

 

[cobrajeff]

The radio in the picture is NOT a Ford radio, it is a rip-off aftermarket "look-alike" unit, intentionally designed to look like a factory unit. We forced most of those guys to do their own design work (instead of stealing ours) when we began patenting our radio designs in the mid-eighties.

Your subwoofer won't work because it's not getting a signal from the aftermarket head unit. No telling what they did with the wiring - IF they used jumper harnesses (and did not cut the original wiring), a factory "Premium Sound" radio (-19B165-) would be the correct replacement.

regards,

Jeff

 

[Brandons]

That makes sense, I was wondering when i saw that power button, and the eject button..

 

[CDW6212R]

I agree with that, my 93 Limited had the CD player in it. After it died before I got it from a body shop, I paid for a new faceplate($75+ labor), with a dead battery it died a year later. Then I tried an eBay unit which just displayed "BAD." I believe that the factory 93-94 CD player was not reliable.

Work with aftermarket components for your truck. Good luck,

 

[BIG HVM]

thats not a ford mate, I agree, ditch it......I took my ford unit out and replaced it with a blaupunkt....best thing I ever did, got the remote on the stering wheel and the sub too...Wicked!

 

[crtyree]

Thanks a lot again to everyone. I was planning on replacing the H.U. anyway, but my question in that is, will i be able to control my cd changer through it like i already can?

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes if the HU and changer are compatible. Verify the manufacturers and check on the HU features list.

 

[EMG7895]

I have a hu with a 4 disc changer built in, pm if you are interested.

 

[ChopsExploder]

that is not a ford radio like everyone else is saying just ditch it and buy a new radio, i suggest a pioneer head-unit i have always had good luck with those, and i suggest you stay away from "no name" brand players because usually those will not work out as well as you would want. A Pioneer DEH-P3800MP, or Pioneer DEH-P4800MP are pretty good head-units and realitivly cheap. also the reason ur sub is not working is because it probably is not able to hook up to the head unit u have now with a new head unit you should be able to hook it up no problem, just make sure u got the wires you need and an amplifier. if u got any more questions just ask
good luck