OEM 6 Disc In-Dash Question

[dmasini]

Hey guys, bought a 6 disc in-dash unit off eBay awhile back that came out of an 01 Explorer to replace the single CD/cassette unit in my 01. I goto put it in my X and find out that I don't have the right harness setup. Instead of the three plugs that you see in the picture below I only have the biggest two that went in the head unit I took out.

So I plugged in the two on the back of the 6 disc unit and it works but the CD changer portion does not. I was assured that everything worked from the guy I bought it off of. So obviously that 3rd plug needs to go in somehow. I was wondering if anyone else has run into this problem and what they did to make it work.

Everything else seems to work ok although the sound seems a tad extorted. I'm pretty sure I do not have the premium sound option and since the 6 disc unit was made by Pioneer, this was probably a premium head. Does Ford make a harness that would make this work or will I need to do some splicing??

 

[dmasini]

This is the front of the unit in question...

 

[Heath]

Cobrajeff should be able to answer this for you... I'm sure he'll be around here sooner or later... I'd like to hear the answer to this one myself...

 

[dmasini]

I was reading some of Cobrajeffs past posts in the search I did. The guy knows his stuff! I was just thinking, do you think there might be a code or something I need? If I hit the load button it says that it's full. And if I hit CD it says CD error... I really hope I didn't get taken on this stereo.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

Cobrajeff was one of many members of the design team for Ford audio system, if I remember correctly. But anyways...do you have the Audiophile system in your XLT?? If so, then they should use the same plugs because one is for the sub amp. Even if you've gotten everything set up correctly, once you power it up, none of your speakers will probably produce any bass because there's a built-in crossover.

But anyways...that's not the case since you got it running. I've heard the CD mechanism is pretty weak with that receiver. It's very fragile. if there's one big jerk, the mechanisms will go out of whack.

 

[dmasini]

96, I think your right. I do not have the audiophile system and I'm not getting any real base coming from my speakers. Like I said though, I am getting sound and everything else works (minus the CD changer). So that third plug is strictly for the sub I don't have huh? Anyway, is there a way to bi-pass the crossover or is this going to be a lost cause?

Gonna be upset if I can't get the changer to work either...

 

[Stic-o]

I have this stero kinda....

It's in my work truck. 03 edge. But it does not have the pioneer name on it. It looks the same though and mine is black. I'll see if I can pull the unit and look at the back. No promices though...It is a work truck. Yes awsome bass!

 

[cobrajeff]

CD6 Radio - Shipping Bracket

Dave -

I think you have two problems - 1) your new radio was probably shipped to you without a "shipping bracket", which means the mechanism was likely damaged in shipment.

 

[cobrajeff]

CD6 Radio - Shipping Bracket

Dave -

I think you have two problems - 1) your new radio was probably shipped to you without a "shipping bracket", which means the mechanism was likely damaged in shipment. This is the factory shipping bracket:

If your radio was shipped without one, it is likely junk. We do not repair damaged CD6 mechanisms at the factory - if the unit is dropped, it is SCRAPPED.

The second issue is, even if the CD mechanism worked, it will never sound right in your truck. I think the part number on your radio is 1L2F-18C815-LA , which would be an "Audiophile" model (w/Subwoofer output) for a 2-door Explorer Sport. That means three more problems - you don't have a Subwoofer or SW wiring, you will have no Bass response because the low frequencies are crossed-over to the sub, and, even if you DID add a Sub, it STILL won't sound right, as the radio is EQ'd to a 2-door model vehicle with different acoustic characteristics than a 4-door XLT.

What you want is a "Premium Sound" model CD6 out of a Ranger, Cougar, or F-Series truck - part number 1C3F-18C815-AB, 1S8F-18C815-AC, or 2L2T-18C815-AA. These radios do not require the Subwoofer, and should work fine in your XLT.

Make sure that whoever sends it to you knows that the shipping bracket must be installed in it for it to survive shipment.

regards,

cobrajeff

 

[dmasini]

cobrajeff, that's what I'm afraid happened. So their is really nothing I can do then with the cd changer besides taking it to an electronics repair shop to get them to take a look?

Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[dmasini]

My original head unit part number ends with 868-AA. Well I guess I'll try to these guys to take it back then. It's a parts place so hopefully it won't be as bad as if I had bought it from a single person.

Thanks again for all of your help. I just had no idea that their were so many different factors involved with the OEM Sound Systems. Aftermarket stuff is so much easier! Thanks also for the different model numbers, I really don't want aftermarket if I can help it...

 

[cobrajeff]

Dave -

So you must have started with an -18C868- "Dual Media" unit.

You might try taking your CD6 radio to an authorized Ford radio repair center. There are six of them in Virginia, and it looks like five are branches of "Southern Autotronics". The number for their shop in Roanoke, VA, is: (800) 868-8188. You might call them to find out which of their shops is closest to you. Call whatever one is close to you and ask what they might be able to do for you. They might have (or can get) the model you need, and maybe would do an exchange for some cash difference.

Good Luck!

cobrajeff

 

[dmasini]

Yeah I have the CD/Cassette combo.

Thank you once again for all your help cobrajeff. I'll give these guys a call and see what they can do for me.