LCD on 98 Explorer Radio - how to fix?

[Jester1994]

My sister nopw has a 98 Explorer, however the radio's LCD display is not working. Is there a cheap and easy fix for this besides taking the radio into a shop or replacing the unit? What's the most cost effective solution?

I was thinking about just replacing it with an aftermarket unit since I assumed it would cost about the same for a shop to repair the LCD. Thanks guys!

 

[Lee S.]

Some have tried to fix it with varying rates of success others have sent it out for repair (myself included)...cost was in the $100 range for me although I remember reading a thread that mentioned a guy on ebay who fixes them cheaper. Do a seach on radio display...there's a ton on information about it.

Lee

 

[Amp67]

Some have tried to fix it with varying rates of success others have sent it out for repair (myself included)...cost was in the $100 range for me although I remember reading a thread that mentioned a guy on ebay who fixes them cheaper. Do a seach on radio display...there's a ton on information about it.

Lee

I saw the ebay guy that claims a fix for this. It costs $20 and he mentions other methods covered on this board that temporary at best. Has anyone tried this?

 

[Lee S.]

I saw the ebay guy that claims a fix for this. It costs $20 and he mentions other methods covered on this board that temporary at best. Has anyone tried this?

I assume you're asking if anybody has tried the ebay guy (you may want to post his ebay link)? I haven't, but if someone has used him, hopefully they'll chime in. I used these guys:

http://www.videoservicestop.com/

It's been almost 2 years now and I have no problems with the radio. I have no problem recommending Videoservicestop... great service, quick turnaround and a repair that has lasted so far at least.

Lee

 

[oso2324]

I had a similar problem with my sound system. My unit turned out to be a Pioneer and the problem was the "driver display board". If yours is a Pioneer you need to pull the unit and record the data from the information sticker. Call Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc at 800-421-1404 and give them them info. It cost me $89.59 to buy the brand new and resdeisgned driver display board. It was a breeze to remove the old one and replace it with the new one. And the Pioneer folks I delat with gave great customer service. I have not a problem with it since. Good luck.

 

[BobT55]

Fixed Mine

Using information culled from this site I pulled the power board from mine, desoldered all connections (leaving one leg on each component connected while I did the others), cleaned the solder points with contact cleaner, then resoldered.

Unit has now been working for the last 6 months without a problem. One side note, I first attempted to reflux the joints without desoldering them. This worked for a few days then went dead again.

If you want details I documented my steps (photos and text) and can try posting them somewhere or e-mailing them to you. You do need to be competent with a soldering iron and you do run the risk of killing the power board, but it's worth a try before shelling out the bucks to buy a new one.

Bob

I put my documentation up on a web site (temporarily). It's a bit fast and crude (the Web pages, not the documentation) but check it out and see if it helps.
'98 Mountainerr Repairs

I converted my fix to a PDF file. Feel free to download.

 

[jbf721]

"Save My Sanity Fix"

Just go to this link and select "Save My Sanity." I just used his fix, and I have no problems with the radio anymore.

http://www.shareamemory.com/radio/