I purchased a factory 6 disc unit to install in place of my 03 cassette unit. The young man(my student) I got this from said it worked when removed from his 02, even guaranteeing my money back. When installed the radio works fine. When selecting cd display says initializing, then cd error. If load button is pushed it says player full then switches to radio ( no discs loaded), If eject is pushed switches to radio. Load door does not open when load is pressed, no mechanical noises. Any ideas as I would like to repair this unit if practical as I would rather not have an aftermarket radio. Basic repairs are within my ability.

 

Maybe there's an electronics issue that was in the other truck that yours doesn't have? I'd be curious to see if it works properly in the kid's truck, cause that would get rid of some questions if it does work.

 

dump it.
or you will just be wasting time.

I had to smash mine. Then I upgraded.

I recommend upgrading.

 

That is his upgrade. It's a 6 disc instead of radio+cassette. If upgrading is an aftermarket unit, he doesn't want that, and I don't blame him. My radio was fuzzy and messed up when I bought my truck, and I was putting subwoofers in, so I was almost forced to get an aftermarket. It's a nice touchscreen, but I still prefer the stock look.

 

Different electronics on truck is not the issue(guess what I do from my name). I can go to aftermarket cheaply but prefer factory. I do not want a widow smashed and a dash torn up for some scumbag to steal a $100 dollar radio. With factory stuff I never lock my truck. I would be just as happy with the factory single cd as I don't drive this truck anywhere except around town and my 20 minute commute so changing cds is not a problem . I was just hoping some common issue could be the problem like the compass fix.

 

I thought the difference in trucks thing was a reach, but took the kid's word that it worked. My limited knowledge doesn't delve much into the realm of electronics. Can't see it; can't fix it!

Ya could be a metal shop teacher and not know radios and car electronics!

 

crutchfield discontinued the model but there are others similar out there, just take a look:



seriously, it is not worth breaking into a vehicle, and it is an upgrade. If you install it correctly it looks just like any 2012 vehicle stock navigation system. I bought it because my 6disc did exactly that..but it also kept 5 discs... and when I removed it thinking practical fix, well..... yeah, smash. Got my discs.

Anyway, the blue tooth feature is worth it with all the legals with cell phones these days while driving.

Also the ipod/iphone usb or AUX jack connection charges unit. Backup video so you don't run over kids... camera wasn't included on mine...

one mute button for the drive thru.... one screen off button for when you are in a bad neighborhood at nite....

match any illumination you like...it will match your dash....looks stock.

 

option 2

spend money at junk yard or pawn shop...



If you are going to spend money, get the refund out of the kid, then upgrade.

option 3
ear buds... I see people driving around with ear buds in jamming...

I cant tell you what I called them as I passed them.

 

Might not be the best suggestion, it's illegal in over half the country...

 

I was not trying to be a smart a**,well maybe a little. I did not think about other shop classes. I do teach auto and am an ASE master tech with a NATEF certified program. I think I will try to find some other dead units and see if I can build one working unit. A majority of my auto kids drive Ford trucks so a pool of parts should be easy to find. The problem will be finding schematics as Ford has a repair service for all repairs. I will post if I find a easy repair that seems common.

 

This may or may not be relevant, but here goes...

I have a 1999 F150 that had the 6 disc changer - now aftermarket and I had a 2001 Expedition with a 6 disc changer, which I also swapped out. The OEM head units looked identical between the two trucks. I sold the Expedition and never even realized the CD magazine was missing. I told the buyer he could have the magazine out of my truck. I gave it to him, but it didn't fit. I'm a standup guy and I told him I would buy him a magazine for the CD changer - even though the deal was done, title transferred etc. Fortunately I was smart enough to snap a picture because it turns out there are 3 different CD changers used in our body style.

Given that info, and your symptoms I wonder if there is a mismatch. I'm not 100% sure from your post, it sounds like the head unit was changed, so there shouldn't be a mismatch. Again, may not be relevant.

Yes, the new owner got a the correct magazine.

 

Did you change the head unit to an in dash 6 disk changer? Or did you swap to a factory head unit with the option of a external/console changer?

There were different changers made. I gave my changer to a friend who had a changer go bad, he installed mine and it never worked. Had something to do with it not reading. He had an older model, 97 lariat I think and mine was 99. His disc changer was in the back half door and mine was up in the center console.

Might want to try in the head unit section. Maybe someone there might be more familiar with the differences in the units and might be able to pinpoint something.

 

Unit is the in dash 6 disc changer , no remote magazine. I have had it apart for a visual of any obvious problems. Problem will be electronic, now looking for the unit schematics .Now it is simply the challenge.

 

Thanks for clearing that up. From your description, sounds like an electrical issue. It may have worked fine for him. I have seen that before. Possibly just by unplugging it, maybe with the battery still connected... it could have short circuited something during the unplug.

Were you able to utilize the factory pin harness to the head unit without any modifications? Did you check the pin count to make sure they were the same and cross reference wire color to each male and female connection. If the unite was from a different year there is a chance even though at first glance that the pin connectors are the same that some wires may be located in different areas. Just something to check.

 

Pins are the same according to the wiring schematics. I know this is a ridiculous amount of work for a radio, Im just too hard headed to give up on achallenge.