Thinking of buying a 2003 Eddie Bauer, anything I should watch out for?

[Adieu]

This has GOTTA be a troll thread... right?

 

[1955moose]

Theirs nothing inflammatory or degrading here. If anything members are more than happy to help. Lately everyone on the forums been nice and not popping off. Seems like about once a month some bonehead comes online, then disappears when he's bored. That or the administrator gives him the heave ho. I'm sure we'll get a new one to surface soon.

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[Prince_Polaris]

On the intermittent washer pump, try pulling plug going into it, disconnect battery scrub the connections then add some dielectric grease to plug connections. As you know from computers, corrosion causes most problems, with intermittent run/don't run situations. Crutchfields is your best place for stereo adapter plugs as well as your stereo itself. Local audio shops usually aren't much help.

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Thankfully, due to me... killing the car while it was at the dealership (remember how the back wiper didn't work?) it has a brand new battery! Now, as much as I like the idea of a headunit, it seems I'll be losing a lot of features such as the rear audio and some other stuff if I happen to get it, and spending ~$200 for a new headunit which I have to install seems... a bit much, because if I mess something up then everything goes south. And, well, since I've spent all my saved up money on the car, I don't really have any money to buy a headunit with, so even if I did stick to my plan it's going to be at least august before I can buy it.

Therefore, what kind of troubleshooting can I do with the 6 CD changer? I'd much prefer to keep it instead, if it worked! For troubleshooting's purposes, this is what goes on with it-

If you press load, then select a slot (one through six) it will give an error instantly. At the dealership, when I messed with it for the first time, I tried to load a CD into it and the player opened the cover for the CD slot, seemed to be doing something, but then gave an error and refused to take any CDs.

I've heard online that taking off the positive battery terminal and then reconnecting it can 'reset' the CD player and make it work again, should I try that first along with fixing the washer pump? Also, where is the plug for the pump so I can check on it? Hell maybe it just needs some slightly bent pins like the mirror switch

This has GOTTA be a troll thread... right?

Well, uh, no... what made you think that?

 

[1955moose]

Theirs lotsa used CD changers you can swap yours out with, on Ebay. if it comes down to it. Do you have the mach Stereo like mine? Or does yours say premium stereo on speakers? The Mach is pretty decent sound for stock. Theirs vendors online that can fix yours if you don't want to swap out the factory system. Does the radio play! I believe 2002 is last year for cassette/ radio in dash unit, with 6 disc changer in console. Is that what you have? 2003 started the full din size decks. Mine has what's known as din and a half, a weird size that requires a adapter plate if swapped from stock.

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[Prince_Polaris]

Theirs lotsa used CD changers you can swap yours out with, on Ebay. if it comes down to it. Do you have the mach Stereo like mine? Or does yours say premium stereo on speakers? The Mach is pretty decent sound for stock. Theirs vendors online that can fix yours if you don't want to swap out the factory system. Does the radio play! I believe 2002 is last year for cassette/ radio in dash unit, with 6 disc changer in console. Is that what you have? 2003 started the full din size decks. Mine has what's known as din and a half, a weird size that requires a adapter plate if swapped from stock.

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I think mine is a doubledin, and it's just CD and Radio. It's not the top end system, it's the second-best one, according to my manual which I was poking through earlier today. I suppose getting someone to repair it or replacing it would be better than trying to get an aftermarket one to replicate the stock feel, but both of those require taking it apart...

 

[1955moose]

Try the resetting procedure you read about first. Pulling the deck from dash is easy. You'll need to buy or borrow the u shaped tools that you install on both sides of dash radio. Pulling the 6 disc changer from consoles not bad either, just always disconnect - battery cable before you start.

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[gregjenny9502]

Pulling the radio is easy, the trim piece is pressed in, just gently pry it off. If I remember there are 4 screws holding the radio in. Remove them then slowly pull it out until you can disconnect the wiring harness (2 plugs i think) and antenna wire. Then it is out. The radios from the factory are pretty good if you have the one with the subwoofer. The CD function appears to be a problem though because when I got mine it did the same thing yours did. I suspect having yours fixed would not be cheap considering a decent new double din head unit with touchscreen, Bluetooth, back up cam, and navigation can be had for a little over $200 if you catch the right sale. Crutchfield or sonic electronix will include a wiring harness adaptor for your specific application at no charge. After installation it looks pretty factory. Being a tech guy this shouldn't be an issue for you. I would save your money and go that route - it is a major upgrade especially if you are on the road a lot.

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[autoarcheologist]

Ford CD changers are known for being crap. The changer in our 2006 Mustang is also bad. I just don't use CDs anymore. Figure out how to connect your phone and forget about the changer.

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[Prince_Polaris]

Try the resetting procedure you read about first. Pulling the deck from dash is easy. You'll need to buy or borrow the u shaped tools that you install on both sides of dash radio. Pulling the 6 disc changer from consoles not bad either, just always disconnect - battery cable before you start.

This is a dumb question but is it both battery cables or just one of them?

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Pulling the radio is easy, the trim piece is pressed in, just gently pry it off. If I remember there are 4 screws holding the radio in. Remove them then slowly pull it out until you can disconnect the wiring harness (2 plugs i think) and antenna wire. Then it is out. The radios from the factory are pretty good if you have the one with the subwoofer. The CD function appears to be a problem though because when I got mine it did the same thing yours did. I suspect having yours fixed would not be cheap considering a decent new double din head unit with touchscreen, Bluetooth, back up cam, and navigation can be had for a little over $200 if you catch the right sale. Crutchfield or sonic electronix will include a wiring harness adaptor for your specific application at no charge. After installation it looks pretty factory. Being a tech guy this shouldn't be an issue for you. I would save your money and go that route - it is a major upgrade especially if you are on the road a lot.

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I dunno about the trim, the piece of trim in mine seems to cover the radio and the area around the wheel, so that would make it hard to remove, and while yes, I could afford an aftermarket one.... well, dang, aside from being afraid I'll mess up the trim, money (don't have enough) and the rear audio controls (who needs those anyway) I can't think of any reasons to keep the original radio, IF I don't screw everything up installing it.

I was thinking of getting this one, actually, I don't need a backup camera since I have the backup sensor, and navigation is my phone's job.

Ford CD changers are known for being crap. The changer in our 2006 Mustang is also bad. I just don't use CDs anymore. Figure out how to connect your phone and forget about the changer.

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I actually already have bluetooth in the car! Problem is, most of the trips I make in my car are short runs up to school to take my brother to his school, and it's just too much effort to hook my phone up for a less than 10 minute trip. That's why I like CDs, I can just turn it on and bam there's some music, since all of the radio stations around here suck.

 

[1955moose]

The 6 CD changer in my consoles been bullet proof for the 31/2 years I've owned my Suv. So in 2003 they don't use the u shaped tool any more for deck removal? I know they went full sized din. Is his deck like later Fords/Lincoln's, where you load the 6 CD in the dash unit?

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[Prince_Polaris]

The 6 CD changer in my consoles been bullet proof for the 31/2 years I've owned my Suv. So in 2003 they don't use the u shaped tool any more for deck removal? I know they went full sized din. Is his deck like later Fords/Lincoln's, where you load the 6 CD in the dash unit?

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Yes, you press "Load" and it whirrs and then you insert the CD!

I know this BECAUSE WE FIXED IT! WOO!

I got my dad to help since he's the one with the tools, all we had to do was disconnect the negative terminal for about a minute, then I started the car and the CD player came to life like nothing had ever happened!

So, the only problems left to fix on my Expedition are the questionable windsheild washer system and the loose blinker on the passenger side mirror!

And the hissing from the rear AC, if I decide to delve into it... it should be easy because the AC filler port is right at the corner of the engine bay, which is amazing! In our stupid 07 van it's way down inside of the engine.... same problem on my explorer, too.

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So, about the windsheild washers, the only problem left to solve. (The blinker cover I just need to either tape or take it apart to see why it's loose, I can do that on my own, I think.) At least I have plenty of time for this one, I don't really need the washers until winter.

So far, I've found out:

-The system says that the washer fluid is low, even though it's not
-It works 90% of the time, but sometimes it 'sputters' and doesn't work just right
-I looked at the washer pump, and there are two things going into it. If you're leaning against the front grille, the thing closest to you is firmly in place, but if I push down on it it seems to move outward on some sort of hinge- I left it in its uprightest position. The second thing is pretty loose, and hooked up further away and lower down than the first one, and it's also smaller. I couldn't see how to unplug them, and I didn't dare try forcing it because I could break it...
-The three nozzles are still messed up. The two in the front seem to spray the water over the windsheild instead of onto it, and the one on the rear is a little bit weird in how the spray forms, but the front ones are my concern.
-Oh, and even after resetting the battery, which did fix the CD player, it still says low fluid but I haven't seen any stuttering yet. (but like I said, it's rare so...)

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And about my door code.... I don't think we're gonna find it, I'm giving up and I'm gonna head to the nearby dealership with my title and both of my keys (to prove it's mine) and see if they can get it off of the car's computer, I just hope they don't charge way too much for it...

 

[gregjenny9502]

Sorry about the trim ring around the radio comment. I was thinking of my truck. The expedition one is bigger and goes around the speedo and everything but still comes off by gently prying if you ever need to get in there. There are some wires going to the 4x4 switch that you have watch for.

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[Prince_Polaris]

Sorry about the trim ring around the radio comment. I was thinking of my truck. The expedition one is bigger and goes around the speedo and everything but still comes off by gently prying if you ever need to get in there. There are some wires going to the 4x4 switch that you have watch for.

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Small question about the 4x4 switch and the 4x4 in general....

It's just simply, "Does the 4x4 switch light up?" because everything else in the cabin aside from two out of four window switches lights up, leaving only the 4x4 switch dark. I've been wondering about it...

 

[1955moose]

Mine does. I've only engaged once. Mine was right side instrument cluster, it should say 4 low or high, depending on position. Be sure to be in soft sand or off road if trying it, or can damage transfer case if on concrete.

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[gregjenny9502]

The actual switch does not light up but like Moose said, there is a light on the instrument panel when in 4x4.

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[Prince_Polaris]

The actual switch does not light up but like Moose said, there is a light on the instrument panel when in 4x4.

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Ah, okay, I've tried 4WD high but I haven't tried 4WD low just yet... maybe because last time I used it in my explorer the CEL came on

 

[Prince_Polaris]

Hey, for the hissing in the rear AC, I just need to fill up the coolant, right? The nozzle is right in the front next to the washer fluid tank, so I'm thinking of pumping some more in there to see if I can get rid of the hissing and perhaps have the AC just a bit cooler

 

[autoarcheologist]

Hey, for the hissing in the rear AC, I just need to fill up the coolant, right? The nozzle is right in the front next to the washer fluid tank, so I'm thinking of pumping some more in there to see if I can get rid of the hissing and perhaps have the AC just a bit cooler

Buy a can with a gauge and just add a little at a time. Too much pressure is also bad.

When I'm alone in ours I don't run the rear AC.

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[1955moose]

If your going to refill the A/C, remember you refill on the low pressure side, the larger of the 2 hoses with Schrader valves. Ideally you should borrow a set of r134 Ac gauges, and check high and low pressure. Like Auto archeologist stated just a little if you do it with the can with gauge. If you overcharge freon, it will snow under your hood, trust me I speak from dumb experience!

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[Prince_Polaris]

Buy a can with a gauge and just add a little at a time. Too much pressure is also bad.

When I'm alone in ours I don't run the rear AC.

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I always figured that having the rear AC on (I set it to 2) will help the car keep cold, since only cooling the front of it isn't gonna be enough when there's such a large interior...

If your going to refill the A/C, remember you refill on the low pressure side, the larger of the 2 hoses with Schrader valves. Ideally you should borrow a set of r134 Ac gauges, and check high and low pressure. Like Auto archeologist stated just a little if you do it with the can with gauge. If you overcharge freon, it will snow under your hood, trust me I speak from dumb experience!

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Oh dear, opening the hood to see snow sure would be a sight!


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Anyway, I'm gonna make a new thread, since this one has run way past its course and I'm trying to focus on one big issue that I need some help with... once I make it I'll edit a link right here!