Always Something New

[19&41]

And seldom good. My newer truck has no radio. The previous owner gave me 2 radios that fit the dash space, but one is for an older model with different connectors. Another he gave me fits the space and has the proper connector and it is listed as one of the correct models for the truck. It won't work. It is getting the proper voltages. Here's the new part. If you remove one of these radios and have it out too long, the on board keep alive circuit discharges and the radio "bricks". The solution for this is to buy another, and they're going for anywhere from $80-$290 and you find out if they work by installing them. The last time I checked, the junk yards had barrels of pulled radios for $1 to $10 bucks. It's getting ridiculous.

[electra225]

Parts of all kinds are getting high. Then if you replace the headlight in a new car, it needs to be programmed. Silliness all around, if you ask me. Could you get a radio at Walmart that would work? We did that with the wife's old Tahoe when the radio quit. Chevy wanted something like $350 for a reman radio with no warranty, then another $150 to program it. I got a JVC at Walmart that came with a harness and a little cockroach that replaced the system that killed the car if you steal the radio. It has worked fine for several years. I think the radio was $70 then about $30 or so for the install kit. The wife wanted a CD player, so we went with the JVC. Might be something to check out and see if it would work for you.

[William]

Speaking about GM only, there was a time when GM radios had a built in "if I get stollen I will never work again" circuit built into them. It's kind of what you are talking about, Rex, but with a GM radio a dealership could reprogram it with a code they got from GM. Is it possible that a Ford dealer could do the same thing?

Bill

[19&41]

Apparently, if it has no function whatsoever, it can't be reset nor reprogrammed. I imagine the dealer would be able to tell me that for a nominal fee. I'm seeing a new double DIN face touch screen stereo, online with mp3/USB capability for $49. Those are ridiculous prices for a 20+ year old radio that doesn't even provide me what I want. A new stereo, with one of those connector pigtails like they at least used to sell at Walmart will be the way to go. I spent an hour at Walmart here looking for car stereos, Nada.

[William]

Good luck, Rex, I hope you can find what you are looking for at a reasonable price.


Bill

[TC Chris]

Apparently, if it has no function whatsoever, it can't be reset nor reprogrammed. I imagine the dealer would be able to tell me that for a nominal fee. I'm seeing a new double DIN face touch screen stereo, online with mp3/USB capability for $49. Those are ridiculous prices for a 20+ year old radio that doesn't even provide me what I want. A new stereo, with one of those connector pigtails like they at least used to sell at Walmart will be the way to go. I spent an hour at Walmart here looking for car stereos, Nada.

When I needed to replace the OEM player in my '86 Mustang, I bought one from Crutchfield, who also sells the connectors needed for the specific stereo and car. Plug'n'play.

Chris Campbell

[Dr. Radio]

And seldom good. My newer truck has no radio. The previous owner gave me 2 radios that fit the dash space, but one is for an older model with different connectors. Another he gave me fits the space and has the proper connector and it is listed as one of the correct models for the truck. It won't work. It is getting the proper voltages. Here's the new part. If you remove one of these radios and have it out too long, the on board keep alive circuit discharges and the radio "bricks". The solution for this is to buy another, and they're going for anywhere from $80-$290 and you find out if they work by installing them. The last time I checked, the junk yards had barrels of pulled radios for $1 to $10 bucks. It's getting ridiculous.

And what vehicle/radio are you talking about?

[electra225]

This is the truck he is referring to.

viewtopic.php?t=2450

[19&41]

I was in the automotive department of another walmart, looking for an oil filter and came across a small glass case with car stereos. One was priced at $29, so I got the pigtail and install kit, 2 oil filters, 2 5qt. jugs of mobil 1 and 3 sets of noco pads for what they wanted for a bottom of the line unit at crutchfield. The previous owner had wanted to remove the steering column covers, and had apparently tried to pry the plastic collar on the ignition lock cylinder. he broke the retainer and the truck wouldn't start when the collar moved out of place. I found a place on Ebay who had a key matching service available with a cylinder purchase. I sent him a message asking about it, he asked me to send a picture of the key to check if it was doable. He replied to go ahead and order the cylinder and key matching service. It was $37. I got the cylinder 4 days later. My RFID keys mechanically fit the cylinder, from the picture I had sent him and I installed it Friday. It also had the buttons torn off of the cruise control switches, I ordered another assembly from Amazon for $16 and replaced it friday. I had to pull the wheel to do it, but it went well.

[William]

It sounds like you had a busy day Friday. I hope all the fixes took care of the issues and now your newest vehicle will give you many years of trouble-free service.

Bill

[19&41]

Thanks, Bill, I hope so too.

[19&41]

I made up the interface cable to install the stereo in the truck. I also ordered new ends for each of the rear door latch cables. They were made with a plastic end to lock them to the mechanisms at each end The handle ends have disintegrated and I'm replacing them with aluminum ones.

[19&41]

Got the install kit to mount the radio in the dash. had to trim the opening at both the top and bottom and snapped the unit in. Plays well. The latch cables on the driver's side rear door were so deformed I could not get them to work correctly. Only the upper rear latch closes. Ordered parts I hope will correct the problem.

[electra225]

Which stereo did you buy at Walmart? I remember you saying the install kit was $29. I think that was what the one for the Tahoe cost. You are fortunate to be able to do this stuff yourself. Good luck.

[19&41]

It was a Dual brand unit on a closeout. It has bluetooth so I can use my phone with it. I had to return the install kit and I got the proper one on Amazon for around $10.

[19&41]

The new ends for the rear door latch cables appear to lengthen the cable sheath and decreases the length of travel of the interior cable, causing it to not be able to operate the latching assembly. I am going to have to disassemble other doors to get the dimensions of the connectors and compare them to the replacement aluminum ones. These are small dimensions. I've also ordered new cables for the front doors, as well as a pair of new power rearview mirrors and a bag of trim fasteners. Since the rear cables are no longer manufactured, I am going to try to make new ones using bicycle brake cable components. I've made up one, but the length problem got ne, having used an original as the pattern for the new one. Add the new ends and no worky.

[William]

Sorry to hear you are having troubles with your new vehicle, Rex. When it comes to vehicles, it's always something. Good thoughts go your way getting this sorted out.

Bill

[19&41]

I'll get it. I just have to see the dimensions of an intact plastic end and get it's measurements and cut the shield accordingly.

[19&41]

The new mirrors arrived Friday. The front door cables arrived today, along with enough interior trim fasteners to allow for mistakes. That should finish the against the wall repairs. Then I can concentrate on cracking he rear door latches' secrets.

[maxidyne]

You are getting a lot of experience working with accessories on Ford trucks. Sounds like you are making progress.....