I just bought a new '03 Lightning a week ago. So far I love it but I hear this high pitched whirring sound, at first I thought it was the fuel pump (it's not the supercharger). It is real faint and after further poking around realized it's coming from the actual radio (the 6 disc changer). Turn off the radio, turn of the annoying sound with a little delay. Turn on the radio, it's back. It almost sounds like a computer fan. What the hell is the noise? And, will Ford be able to pinpoint or am I better off at an aftermarket radio shop?

 

Ok, well... if you listen to the CD player, do you still get it? Or is it just when your in 'FM/AM' mode? I know when I listen to my AM stations, i get a lot of whirrling noise depending on where I am at. And I have gotten it on other FM stations. But more so on AM.

If its doing it with your CD Player as well, then I would suggest something isn't right

 

Well at least I'm not alone. Mine is doing the same thing. It sounded just like my noisey fuel pump when I had a 5.0 Mustang. There apparently is a fan inside. I managed to get my service guy to order a new one, so today at 4:00 it should be replaced.

BTW have you changed the OEM speakers at all? I was wondering if the extra draw would cause the amp to heat up.

 

My '03 is less than a week old and I have the same problem. My L is due back to the dealer tomorrow for minor flaw touch ups. The radio noise is on the list.

I will let you know what they tell me, before you go to an aftermarket and shell out some cash.

Dan

 

The CD player in my '03 L does exactly the same thing as I think you are describing. In my case, it is the mechanical noise of the CD drive mechanism. I'm a little disappointed in it, since the one in my Sport Trac doesn't do it (although the L's unit is obviously updated a little from the ST's), but not disappointed enough to get it replaced. I suspect that it may be common to all or most of them.

 

Try listening at moderate volume without the CD playing. After awhile the fan should come on. I hope my new one fixes it.

 

if the noise is in radio mode, check for a bad ground on the head unit.

 

This is the only acceptable way to fix it.




The CD-6 decks have a built in fan that sometimes can be the culprit for the noise. I noticed on my CD-6 that there was some radio interference entering the system.

 

I agree that would fix it, however I'm just not a fan of after market units for two reasons. 1. Almost nobody would want to break into my truck for a stock radio. 2. Personally I just like the look of the factory system. No offense please. BTW that is a nice head unit.

 

I have the same noise. I told the dealer about it and they are ordering a new cd changer.

 

haha, so true

 

Thanks guys, off to Ford to go and see if they can get a new radio for me.

 

I have a nice single disc stock player sittin in my garage if anyone wants to trade their "crappy" 6-disc for it , I will hook you UP!

 

Dealer put the new headunit in. So far so good.

 

my father's '03 explorer has the 6-disc..no buzzing, neither does my buddy's sport track...guess they saved the "best" for the SVT customers