Burned out HU display.

Fordnatic · #1 11-02-2006, 07:08 PM

My wife's 99 Explorer has an AM/FM CD Cassette Head Unit. It has the controls on the strg wheel, subwoolfer in the back. The unit works and sounds fine, the only problem is that the entire display is blank. There is no clock showing, and you can't see what station you are listening to.

I can't believe that all the individual segments of the individual numerals have burned out at once. Is there a single source (bulb) or something that backlights the display?

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worland · #2 11-04-2006, 08:53 PM

The display is an LCD bar much like the display on a digital clock. If the entire display is blank, then it probably burned out or the ribbon cable going to the control board came out of its socket. Also, the plastic layers on top of the LCD could have delaminated making it so dim it's nearly unreadable. That usually happens only after years of heavy use in which the LCDs become so hot the plastic cover layers begin to seperate.

You can always take the unit apart to see if there's anything loose/damaged. On a 7 year old head unit, you'd probably be better off just buying a new one. Check out Crutchfield...

deewreck · #3 11-21-2006, 12:48 PM

This has recently become a problem with my '99 F-150 as well . . I have not discovered the problem yet, but I am going to be taking the HU apart soon, and take a look at Worland's suggestions.

Thanks man.

sysman_rick · #4 11-21-2006, 01:47 PM

Search the threads the display is a known problem on 97-99's.
It's a crappy soldering job on the display/circuit bd.

Fordnatic · #5 11-26-2006, 07:12 PM

I must need a search 101 course. I looked under blank display, burned out display, black display and everything I could think of to no avail.

Deewreck, did you have sucess when you took yours apart? I would like to avoid replacing this unit, as the vehicle has 150,000 on it already. But I will keep it for a couple years, and hate not having the display. Also, I think it would be difficult/expensive to find an aftermarked unit that works with all the factory stuff - ie. strg wheel controls, sub, etc.