1999 Ford Expedition Radio Light

Tiny
DTAPSTER
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  • 1999 FORD EXPEDITION
Electrical problem
1999 Ford Expedition V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

The radio light on my 1999 Expedition XLT has gone out. The radio is still working fine but it's a nuisance to not be able to see the station ID's or the clock time. I'm told the only solution is to replace the entire radio - is this true?

Thanks,

Dtapster
Friday, January 16th, 2009 AT 11:33 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi:
The entire radio doesn't need replaced, only the face of it. If you look at your radio, there will be 2 round slots on each side. Stereo shops have a too that pushes in on all 4 slots at the same time to remove the front section of the radio. You can purchase a new one at most stereo shops or dealers. The last time I got one was for an AM/FM stereo with the 5 disc changer in the center console. It was 125.00 dollars.

I hope this helps, and if you can't find anyone to help, let me know and I'll get you the phone number of a place that sells them.

Joe
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Friday, January 16th, 2009 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
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Hi Joe,

Called the local dealership today and the only solution they knew of was to replace the entire radio. If you have the name of someone that sells only the "face" please forward the information.

Thanks for your help,

Dtapster
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Friday, January 16th, 2009 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
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I'm out of town right now but should be back by tomorrow. I will call and get the number for you.

I assure you it can be repaired.

Joe
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Friday, January 16th, 2009 AT 10:10 PM
Tiny
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Thank you!

Doug
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Friday, January 16th, 2009 AT 11:50 PM
Tiny
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Doug:
I just got off the phone and got the number for you. The company name is:

H&R Auto Radio

1-800-523-6605

They are located in Pennsylvania, so I don't know if you will get them tonight, but I'm sure you will tomorrow. They will need the radio model number that, to the best of my knowledge, is located on the side of the radio. Call them and they will tell you what to do. Once you get it fixed, go to the dealer and show them you know more than they do.

I would really like to know how this works out for you. My friend own's a stereo shop and he is the one that got me hooked up with this company when I had the exact same problem. I thought it was just a bulb, but no such luck. I had to replace the face of the stereo. And why not. The stereo worked great and I wanted to keep it rather than an aftermarket that would have ended up giving me problems and wouldn't have sounded as good.

I look forward to hearing from you,
Joe
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Monday, January 19th, 2009 AT 4:47 PM
Tiny
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Thanks Joe. I'll call them tomorrow and let you know how this comes out.

Thanks again,

Doug

UPDATE: Called H&R this morning and spoke with Claire (nice lady). She said the entire radio would have to come out (I'll need to get someone to do that with the necessary "special tool") and be shipped to them in PA. They will repair and warranty the entire radio for one year for $217. They pay for it to be shipped to them, I pay $17 for shipment back to me.

She also indicated that Ford came out with this radio design in 1998 and carried it forward through 2004, knowing of this design defect, with no recall. She said that they had repaired "thousands of them"!

I'll have to see if it's cost effective to have someone pull the radio out for me vs buying an aftermarket unit locally. Thanks so much for this information, Joe!

Doug
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Monday, January 19th, 2009 AT 5:55 PM

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