Mach Premium Stereo Issue.

[buzzcon]

Greetings!
I recently purchased a 1998 Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition and when purchased, the radio did not work. If you push the clock button the clock will light up for about 5 seconds and them go dark. The power button does absolutely nothing.

My first thought and the recommendation from the seller was a fuse is blown. All fuses are good. Next I tried a different radio from a local junkyard, and the two I tried did the same thing.

I am guessing that there is power to the clock, but the main power to the radio itself is not there. Still makes me think it's a fuse. Is there any other fuses that I can check other than the one in the Power Distribution Box and the 2 in the Engine Mini Fuse Block?

I paid $2000 for it (157k and in good shape), and 2 days after I bought it I had to replace the Air Suspension Pump, Air Suspension Relay, a Coil Pack and Plug. These were unexpected repairs. I am just starting to address the repairs that I was aware of when I purchased it. The radio is the first thing I am tackling because I figured it would be the cheapest to fix.

I apologize if this was answered before, I did a quick search and found nothing with the exact problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Longtime Ford lover!!!
LB

 

[bedrck46]

Hang in there and I will check my prints or I may post the prints on a reply to you

 

[bedrck46]

You say you checked the one in the power distribution box ( fuse # 6 30A) and two in the mini fuse box (#3 10A #5 20A) there is also a fuse in the Junction box under the dash Fuse #8 5A

 

[buzzcon]

Just curious How many fuses did you check and what were their location

I have checked a total of 4 fuses.

2 are located in the Engine Mini Fuse Block under the hood. Fuse #3 10A and #5 20A
1 is located in the Power Distribution Box under the hood. Fuse #6 30A
1 is located in the Passenger Compartment Fuse Panel on the left side at the bottom of the dash. Fuse #8 5A

 

[buzzcon]

I absolutely love the vehicle even though I have owned it for a short time. I would have no problem putting an after market Radio/CD player but this needs to be figured out before that can be done.

 

[bedrck46]

Picture looks like my 2001 EB Have attached prints for your viewing Total of 4 prints. You may want to pull the radio and check the connectors to see if your getting power where you should be and also to see if you have good ground connections If any of the grounds have been loosened or a broken that could cause you not having power. I will see if I can get you a copy of the connectors and locations They will help you

 

[bedrck46]

Did you check the fuses with an ohm meter or just by looking at them also take a volt meter and check the fuse socket to make sure you have input power I had one person on this forum that when he check the fuses under the hood he found a slight build up of corrosion on the fuses A I have had a few times where a fuse looked good but when tested with a meter it tested bad

 

[buzzcon]

I did just a visual inspection. None had corrosion. I will test both the fuse and the socket to determine whether any are bad tomorrow.

Thanks!

 

[bedrck46]

If you need any more prints send me a PM with your e-mail address as there are many prints of the connectors involved in the radio circuit It would be easier to send them to you by e-mail

 

[bedrck46]

Have attached some information for you There is a connector C158 which is in the Eng Compartment that has two power circuits going thru the connector If you don't have voltage at the radio you may want to check it at that connector

Voltage Checks
C262
Check between pins 1 and 2 for 12V
Check between pins 3 and 2 for 12V
Check pins 1 and 3 to chassis ground for 12V
Check pins 2, 6 and 8 to chassis ground for continuity

C264
Check between pins 13 and 14 for 12V
Check pin 14 to chassis ground for 12V
Check pin 13 to chassis ground for continuity

C158
Pin 34 is power from Fuse #3 to pin 1 on C262
Pin 40 is power from Fuse #5 to pin 14 on C264

Connector C158 is located Drivers side, rear of Engine Compartment

 

[buzzcon]

@bedrck46 thanks for your input and suggestions, but I have an update that might shed some light on the issue.

I am going to be specific about events.

Washed my Expedition in the afternoon yesterday. Got home and decided to put the radio back in the dash just to fill the hole. After all, it takes about 2 minutes to remove it so no big deal.

This morning it got down to about -5 here in northern Minnesota. My wife needed to do laundry, so I went out to warm up the vehicle and clear the windows. I start her up and I hear a static noise coming from just about everywhere inside the Exp. I looked and the radio was working. So I drove my wife to the laundromat and then stopped by my mechanics shop to set up an appointment for next week. The radio worked the whole trip, but the sound came out of the passenger side speakers.

When I came out and started the Exp up, no stereo.

My thinking is either there is an issue with the ignition switch or the connectors that connect to the back of the radio are corroded. The reason I am thinking the connectors could be corroded is I have been trying different radios and that could have cleaned the terminals enough for it to work for that short time.

Being so cold today and the fact I have no garage, I am taking a break today, but I am thinking about trying some sort of electrical connection cleaner on the connectors on the wire harness and on the back of the radio and see if that fixes it.

Or if it is something like the ignitions switch, is that a big deal to fix??

On a side not, I just purchased a kit on Ebay that has all the parts to rebuild the front end, lower ball joints, upper control arms, inner and outer tie rod ends, pitman arm and sway bar links for $163. Each part actually has a Zerk Fitting. Just concerned about quality of the parts because of the low cost. They do come with a 1 year warranty.

 

[bedrck46]

here are a few things that may help you

Ford workshop manual on DVD. Can be obtained from seller "morpheousking" on e-bay. Cost about $10.00 Much better than Clymer, Haynes or Chilton and also includes wiring diagrams

Don't waste your money on a Clymer, Haynes or Chilton Manual.
It is well worth the $10.00 just make sure you get the DVD for your year as the seller has different DVD's for different years

Go to Lowes or home depot or an elect supply house get a tube of Noalox you can google that to see what it does clean the contacts and put a small coating of Noalox on the contacts As far as the parts you got It all depends but I do believe you get what you pay for I did the same as you did and got parts off of e-bay but I went with Mogg parts They may not be the best compared to other brand name but I have used them in that past with no problems and the price on e-bay was even better than Advanced Auto for the same Mogg parts Good luck and kindly update us as to your results

 

[buzzcon]

Well, I guess I have to put this project on the back burner for a little while. I was checking the connections to see if there was any signs of corrosion and dropped the radio on the passenger side floor. With everything so cold and brittle, the faceplate came half off and now the power button wont push in.

That's kinda how things work in my world. I may just put an after market CD Player in and see if I can get that to work.

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[bedrck46]

I know where there is a radio available in one of the u-pull it yards near me

 

[buzzcon]

I went out and swept the snow of the old Exp. and started it up and low & behold the radio still worked, for a short time. Just cannot turn the power off with the volume. This time the radio quit after I hit a bump. I am leaning towards a bad ground somewhere. While I only have the radio on for background noise on low, it's still nice to have.

Not sure which direction I am going to go in. I may have to call in a few favors and ask a few of my friends to help out. The fact that only the passenger side speakers work worries me because there could be a bad wire there as well.

I have an appointment Tuesday to get the front end rebuilt with the parts I mentioned before. I am also waiting on a refund from the seller. The promised to give me back some of the money I paid for it. Here is what I have done since I bought it 3 weeks ago tomorrow:

New Air Suspension Pump
New Air Suspension Relay (New pump would not shut off, even with key turned off)
New Coil Pack and Spark Plug
New Battery
New Wiper Blades
New Headlights

The wiper blades were not a surprise, but the rest was totally unexpected. The ad in Craigslist said it was in GREAT shape mechanically.

The stuff I knew needed attention is what I am working on now:

Radio
Front Suspension (Ball Joints etc)
Small Exhaust Leak
Tires

These I had no problem with because the other moving parts, motor and trans seem to be solid.

Hoping to get $250-$500 back from seller. We'll see!!!! It would help!!

 

[bedrck46]

May I ask what you paid for it I just sold a 99 xlt 132000 miles 4.6 4X4 for 2400.00 and had all new front end on it plus new brakes which I installed before selling it then went a got the 2001 EB 5.4 4X4 for under 2100.00 with 123000 miles but it also has a bad exhaust manifold and cracked windshield Which will cost less than 500.00 to repair and replace Plus the Transfer had 6 broken wires going to it, that was a cheap fix 0.00 but a few hours work

 

[buzzcon]

I paid $2000. This wasn't too bad IF I didn't have the added expenses. The repairs I knew it needed I figured would have cost me roughly $1000 and that would make the total $3000 for the vehicle. I could stomach that with no problem. But I have added about $1100 more than planned.

I contacted the seller AGAIN on Wednesday about him sending me some sort of refund. He said he would send me $250-$500 depending on if his business partner would help with the refund.

If I were to buy this Expedition from a local seller, they would have wanted $3500 for it, that's why I ended up going to Minneapolis. You can get better deals, but me being 150 miles away, I would always have someone grab the vehicle I was interested in because they beat me to it. People aren't willing to hold a vehicle on a promise over the phone. I cannot fault them for that.

We will see if a check shows up today or tomorrow. I called a friend and hunting partner of mine that works for the 148th Fighter Wing here in Duluth and his specialty is electrical repairs. He said he should be able to figure out what's wrong with the radio. This would help quite a bit. I am on disability with a really bad back and it's tough for me to do these repairs even though I have the knowledge to do them. The radio worked again this morning for my trip to the Dr. Seems that when the vehicle warms up, the radio quits. Should be interesting what we find as the culprit.

I only drive about 6000 miles a year and once I get these things fixed, it should be a reliable unit. I just got rid of my old vehicle, a 1995 Ford E-150 conversion van. Owned it for 7 years and loved it. Had the same issues when I first bought it, putting 2 fuel pumps in it in the first month and rebuilding the front end. In this picture, it's dirty, but still solid.

I appreciate your help! Will update you when we trouble shoot the radio.

LB

 

[bedrck46]

when I sold mine I had it for sale for about a month The buyer wanted an expedition but he was in a bind and didn't have all the money and almost didn't come to look at it when he did come he asked if he left a deposit could I hold if for a month until he had all the money. I was a little hesitate but his offer to leave $1000.00 deposit made me agree A month later he called and said he would meet me on a set day and we could close the deal He was happy and I made a sale. Was having a hard time selling it and I figured waiting another Month was worth it Plus no more hassle of people calling and not showing up.

 

[buzzcon]

Selling a vehicle can be a PITA. I really wanted a F-150, but have also liked the Expeditions. They are basically the same vehicle. I owned a 98 F-150 and loved it, but like a dummy, sold it to start a small business. Business was just starting to work, but I chose the wrong partners and shut it down. Live and learn I guess.

 

[buzzcon]

Update. I was playing with the fade and balance this morning while warming my Exp to take my wife to work and the radio actually worked. I am getting sound from the left side, but from the rears only. I think this will lead to a broken wire leading to the front left speaker.

The radio quits what I hit a bump, but only after it starts warming up. If it's cold inside, the radio seems to play as long as I want it to. Ghost In The Machine

I am also notice a HUGE difference in gas mileage when driving in -30 and +30. Way bigger difference than with my van. I swear at -20 to -30 you can actually watch the gauge go down. I still enjoy driving it, because it's easier on my back. The seats in the van just about killed me.