Tools needed:

7mm socket
T-10
Soldering iron
Solder
Trim remova tool or butter knife

If your 2004-2008 backlights are not working properly, this will fix your issue on your OE radio.

Most will say this is not fixable, however, after doing some research, it's an easy fix. There are radio repare companies out there that are charging $19.99 just for these instructions!

Before. Dimly lit and not readable:


Step 1.
Remove trim around radio. Start at the bottom and pry out.


Keep you'll feel the trim pop out as you keep pulling.


Step 2.
Disconnect airbag warning light. It's located at the top backside of the trim piece. Push in the tab and it comes out easily.


Step 3.
Remove the four 7mm screws on the four corners of the radio.


Step 4.
Not pictured, remove harness and antennae plug from rear of radio.

Step 5.
Remove the four T-10 screws located on the front top and bottom (face) of the radio and pull the face off. It will come off easily.


Step 6.
Flip the face over and locate the spots to solder as shown below. They all say "180" on them and there are 4 that need soldering on both sides.


Add solder to the 8 points.


Now reassemble and enjoy the backlight working normally again.

 

Did this last summer the wife's Explorer radio. Worked like a charm and is still working.

 

2008 XL,Thanks for the great post, Don't have a problem with my radio yet, but its nice to see how its fixed just in case I need to do it in the future! Does anyone know if there is one place on the site where ALL the fixes are listed w/o reading every post out there. If not it would be great to see one. Like Radio fixes, window fixes, rear end fixes, tail light fixes, etc... Just an idea.

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/articles-how-s-119/

 

You're right. And I should have posted it there. I think I added it here due to more traffic and this seeming to be a common issue.

Maybe a mod could add this to that section?

 

Thanks glc

 

That's how the articles are done - the mods copy them to the articles forum after they are posted elsewhere and vetted.

 

I copied this to our Articles and How To section. Thanks for another nice write up and great contribution to our site.

 

Of course! thanks for the kind words!

 

Just to add, there's a "clickable index" in the How To section that takes you right to an article you may be interested in. It's divided into sections, much like you suggested. https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...-articles.html

- Jack

 

Well the resistors are an issue however there is another. There are 8 other power connections for the display they are the two through hole junctions at the extreme corners where the display solders to the board. All eight of mine were fractured from pushing on display to get it to turn on. Just a touch of an iron with some fine flux core solder re-flowed the solder on mine, about 3 seconds is all it took just as the solder joint goes liquid count to 3 and remove. Reinstalled and OOPA display again. Hope that helps

 

Hi,

I just bought a used 2008 F150 and the radio has no illumination on the controls. Image of my radio attached.

I'm referring to the the *****, preset buttons, CD, AM, FM, SEEK, MENU, VOL-PUSH etc..

The display does light up (clock, stations etc..)

Maybe these never light up. Unsure. Does anyone?

 

Not sure what that file is as it definitely doesn't work in safari. But the buttons do not light up.

 

Thanks.
The file was just an image of my OEM stock radio.

 

It's a Microsoft Word 2007+ file.