Radio replacement?

Tiny
GLASSMAN009
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 93,000 MILES
I want replace my radio with a stock radio CD player from a junk yard. What other Ford or Mercury vehicles have a radio that just plugs in no modification required? I have single disc with cassette radio.
Monday, September 17th, 2018 AT 2:57 PM

35 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good morning,

This video will help

https://youtu.be/jF_sDSS0n7I

2002-2006 are the same.

You will need to get the radio access code when you purchase the radio. If you do not and do not enter the code, the radio will not work.

Roy

Removal and Installation

1. NOTE: Make sure the ignition switch is in the off position.

Remove the center instrument panel finish panel.

2. Remove the 2 screws and the audio unit.
Disconnect the audio unit electrical connectors and the antenna lead-in cable.
To install, tighten to 2 Nm (18 lb-in).

3. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 7:54 AM
Tiny
SOCOMSEAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
How do you remove the radio of a 2000 ford explorer
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
If there's four small holes, two on each side, you need special tools that go in there.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SOCOMSEAL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Can I buy the tool at a parts store?
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Yup. I just saw a pair last night on Ebid. Com for 15 bucks. I paid around 8 bucks for mine a long time ago.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MBURNS1026
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD EXPLORER
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
I have a 1998 Ford Explorer that I took the stock radio out of. I am trying to install a new stereo but everything I find online says the "constant" wire is light green but I have no light green wire. Does anyone know what colors the constant and switch wires are in this car? Thanks!
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
There are 5 different radio wiring system and all of them indicates that the power (hot at all times) is a Light Green/Purple wire. It is a light green wire with a purple stripe.

Is your system with or without CD changer?
Is it Base or Premium radio system?

Switch wire is Yellow/Black.

One simple way of testing the is to use a test lamp or DVOM to check the wires with ignition OFF and ON.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RW4651
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
Electrical problem
1997 Ford Explorer All Wheel Drive Automatic? Miles

How do I remove the factory stereo and speakers?
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
You need to remove the bezel around the radio then it unbolts and unplugs. As far as speakers, remove the door panels to access them. They are bolted to the doors.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOYFINE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1996 FORD EXPLORER
I recently purcahsed a new sony radio and had the electronic store install it in a Honda Accord. Five hours after it was installed the battery was dead. The battery is about five to six weeks old an the auto store ran a diag. Test on the battery (charge / start system) and found no problems. Can a new radio not properly installed drain the battery? Who should I take the car to for inspection? (Battery dealer or the electronic store)?
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Either the person who installed the radio made a mistake or you could have a faulty radio.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FREEDOMM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Check the module for the problem under the hood on the wheel well or on the firewall its a square looking box and it controls it and they do have problems with it my company had to replace 2 of them go to the ford parts dept I think its called a control module they just do what is happening to you hope this helps good luck fuel pumps don’t go bad that many times
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ARTJEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
Need to know how speakers get hooked into radio. All slots on rear of radio are connected. Where do 8 speaker wires go?
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SC1 RACING
  • MECHANIC
  • 117 POSTS
Are you trying to install an aftermarket stereo? If so you can go to walmart and get a wiring kit that will plug into existing vehical harnes, and will be color coordinated to the after market radio. Ford has all diff wirring colors depending on make/year
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOVESCARS
  • MECHANIC
  • 359 POSTS
Try Crutchfield. Com they have all the adapters your need
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAKE122288
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Good luck with figuring that out! The wires color cordinating system is bs. I also have a 1994 ford explorer and mine didnt have a radio in it at all when I bought it. I had to kinda play with it and figure out the wires and since the factory harness was cut when I bought it I had no choice. Your best bet is buy a wiring harness or better yet re wire your speakers yourself! That was my option because once I figured the wires out due to the built in amplifiers with my "premium factory sound system" (i was only missing the factory tape deck) the balance and fader controls wouldnt work right. So I just ran new 14gauge speaker wires to the doors. And now it doesnt do me any good cuz I have external amps for everything lol. Best bet wiring harness!
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KADEN CLARK
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
  • 1991 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 75,851 MILES
Was installing a new radio but there is no power going through the radio wires. I cannot afford for someone to do it so I am hoping you guys can help me. Is there a fuse or a short? Because some of the fuses have no power getting to them either.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Check for twelve volts on the light green/yellow wire. That should be there all the time. If it is missing, check for twelve volts on both sides of fuse, ... Well, this is just dandy. The diagram is really hard to read, but it looks like this is fuse # 1 in the inside fuse box. It should be a blue 15-amp. There are two tiny holes on top for test points. If you find twelve volts on only one of them, that fuse is blown. If you find zero volts on both test points, we will need to work back further.

Check for twelve volts on the yellow/black wire. That should only be there when the ignition switch is in the "run" or "accessory" position. If that is missing, check for twelve volts on fuse # 11, another 15-amp. Let me know what you find.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KADEN CLARK
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Okay, found what you were talking about. I have constant power but now my ignition is out now out, all fuses been replaced and ignition still showing no sign of power. But something strange happened when I hooked up the harness to constant power it blew my interior lights. Might have speaker wires on wrong. Oops! Do you know the speaker wires diagram which is front left, front right, rear left and rear right? Thank you for the help.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
What do you mean, "the ignition is out"? The ignition is a system. When you hooked up a harness, are you referring to a replacement radio or something else?

Here is the radio wiring diagrams from AllData. The first one is for the standard radio. The second one is for the "Premium" radio with a remote amplifier.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 4:57 PM (Merged)

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