unabonked
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- January 7, 2002
- Messages
- 608
- Reaction score
- 5
- City, State
- Boston, MA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 98Sport, 94XLT, 96Sport
I finally met someone who knew a bit about late model Ford factory radios. As many of you are aware, I am one of the numberous people that had a problem with the premium head unit sold in the 98+ Ford explorers. Here is what I found.
This product came in 4 versions. The problem versions were first generation Premium and first generation Audiophile systems. These can be identified from the second generation units by the "RDS" button located on the righthand side. This version was made for Visteon by Pioneer.
The second version also came in Premium and Audiophile versions. This has a slightly more basic layout: the numbered/function buttons didn't dim as per function (ie. when going from radio to cd the number lights would dim and the cd control lights, located on the same buttons would go on). When the headlights are on all buttons stayed on. The display was also more basic and coulden't support both the track number and time simultainiously. This version was equiped in 00+ explorers and was made by Alpine.
Although the exterior is nearly identicle, the interior is totally different and parts can not be interchanged.
Pioneer, and Ford parts distributers are aware of the factory defect of these radios. Pioneer had a replacment power unit that was suposed to fix this problem. At least one generation of the "fixed" units developed problems again. It appears to be that that transformer windings are shorting or breaking down somehow.
Thus far i have been unable to find the part number for the proper "fixed" power units.
There was another defect with thise units. The plastic that hold the black buttons on the inside of the case becomes brittle over time and cracks/breaks leaving the button hanging loosly in the head unit. This part can not be purchased seperatly. You need to purchase the whole display sub unit. The cost of this is about 160-200.
If you do not have an Audiophile system, DO NOT GET AN AUDIOPHILE HEAD UNIT! These electronically seperate the base from the rest of the speakers and pumps it to a dedicated 6 volt port. It is incompatable with any other system on the market.
I cam across a distributer of new, used and remanufactured factory head units. http://oem-auto-accessory.com/ The guy i spoke with was VERY knowlagable and friendly. He knew about all the issues with this specific head unit and had both new and remanufactured Pioneer versions for about $250. The Alpine version was also in stock, though not listed on the website. This is by far the best price I could find for these.
He also had the ford factory and Visteon MP3/CD players for $225. http://oem-auto-accessory.com/ford_am_fm_cd_1998_2004_new_t100_plub.html These are made by Alpine I belive and are rated at 60 watts. This is fine for any practicle driving.... I am not trying to blow my eardrumbs. These will work with the steering/back seat radio controls as well as the ford CD6 and CD10 changers. I have the CD6 and wanted to keep it, i also like the look of factory equiptments (matches the rest of the interior) so i bought it.
It arrived today and i'm pretty impressed. The volume and clarity is about the same as the origonal Premium audio head unit. The MP3 function works great without skipps of long load times. It sure id stange to see "track 145" being played
The CD is a bit more crisp then the Premium audio, but the MP3 mode seems a bit muddier. This may be due to the encoding bitrate. Higher is better. The player accepts fixed and variable bitrate from 64-320 kps. The CD player rarly skipps and is rock solid in MP3 mode even with CDR and CDRW disks.
For anyone looking for a good upgrade to fix their head unit, i highly recomend this product. It is also sold under the "Mach MP3" name by visteon. The previously mentioned website stocks these as well. Although they are stated they have an AMP out for the Audiophile system, they do not and are compatable with any Stock/Premium system.
These head units vary from $500-750 from ford dealerships, so these prices are very, very good.
This product came in 4 versions. The problem versions were first generation Premium and first generation Audiophile systems. These can be identified from the second generation units by the "RDS" button located on the righthand side. This version was made for Visteon by Pioneer.
The second version also came in Premium and Audiophile versions. This has a slightly more basic layout: the numbered/function buttons didn't dim as per function (ie. when going from radio to cd the number lights would dim and the cd control lights, located on the same buttons would go on). When the headlights are on all buttons stayed on. The display was also more basic and coulden't support both the track number and time simultainiously. This version was equiped in 00+ explorers and was made by Alpine.
Although the exterior is nearly identicle, the interior is totally different and parts can not be interchanged.
Pioneer, and Ford parts distributers are aware of the factory defect of these radios. Pioneer had a replacment power unit that was suposed to fix this problem. At least one generation of the "fixed" units developed problems again. It appears to be that that transformer windings are shorting or breaking down somehow.
Thus far i have been unable to find the part number for the proper "fixed" power units.
There was another defect with thise units. The plastic that hold the black buttons on the inside of the case becomes brittle over time and cracks/breaks leaving the button hanging loosly in the head unit. This part can not be purchased seperatly. You need to purchase the whole display sub unit. The cost of this is about 160-200.
If you do not have an Audiophile system, DO NOT GET AN AUDIOPHILE HEAD UNIT! These electronically seperate the base from the rest of the speakers and pumps it to a dedicated 6 volt port. It is incompatable with any other system on the market.
I cam across a distributer of new, used and remanufactured factory head units. http://oem-auto-accessory.com/ The guy i spoke with was VERY knowlagable and friendly. He knew about all the issues with this specific head unit and had both new and remanufactured Pioneer versions for about $250. The Alpine version was also in stock, though not listed on the website. This is by far the best price I could find for these.
He also had the ford factory and Visteon MP3/CD players for $225. http://oem-auto-accessory.com/ford_am_fm_cd_1998_2004_new_t100_plub.html These are made by Alpine I belive and are rated at 60 watts. This is fine for any practicle driving.... I am not trying to blow my eardrumbs. These will work with the steering/back seat radio controls as well as the ford CD6 and CD10 changers. I have the CD6 and wanted to keep it, i also like the look of factory equiptments (matches the rest of the interior) so i bought it.
It arrived today and i'm pretty impressed. The volume and clarity is about the same as the origonal Premium audio head unit. The MP3 function works great without skipps of long load times. It sure id stange to see "track 145" being played
The CD is a bit more crisp then the Premium audio, but the MP3 mode seems a bit muddier. This may be due to the encoding bitrate. Higher is better. The player accepts fixed and variable bitrate from 64-320 kps. The CD player rarly skipps and is rock solid in MP3 mode even with CDR and CDRW disks.
For anyone looking for a good upgrade to fix their head unit, i highly recomend this product. It is also sold under the "Mach MP3" name by visteon. The previously mentioned website stocks these as well. Although they are stated they have an AMP out for the Audiophile system, they do not and are compatable with any Stock/Premium system.
These head units vary from $500-750 from ford dealerships, so these prices are very, very good.
