Factory Ford Escape in dash 6-CD changer installed

[ImpalaSlayer]

installed it today and it's freakin awesome! I've got RDS now, 6 slots for CD's, and better sound! much recommended

whats RDS?

[megaforcer]

whats RDS?

Radio Data System.

[ImpalaSlayer]

Radio Data System.

and that does..........?

[megaforcer]

Are you kidding or what?

RDS allows small packets of into to be sent on FM stations. It displays song titles and station names on the screen.

[ImpalaSlayer]

Are you kidding or what?

RDS allows small packets of into to be sent on FM stations. It displays song titles and station names on the screen.

uhh no i wasnt kidding, i know almost nothing about audio.

[megaforcer]

It's nothing new, I think it was invented in the 80s. It is much better utilized in Europe as you can view traffic info and such on there. FLM started using it in select models in 1998.

[ImpalaSlayer]

It's nothing new, I think it was invented in the 70s. It is much better utilized in Europe as you can view traffic info and such on there. FLM started using it in select models in 1998.

im sorry i wasnt around in the 70s

[justbob]

Our stock radios have that function.

[fastblackmerc]

Our stock radios have that function.

Correct. Check the owners manual for activation.

[SMOKE]

Heya - put in the Audiophile ("FC" in the part number) this weekend and the PIE ipod adapter and I swear I lost my sub. In fact, I know I lost my sub - just don't hear it anymore. Has this happened to anyone else?? I swear I thought I saw it in one of these threads....

Steering wheel controls are working, unit is all loaded up w/ 6 CD's and I've got my Sirius tuner on the PIE unit right now.

I removed the foam from the top of the Sub too but I can't see how that would take all the sound from it....

Just scratching my head here...

Best,
Jonathan

[justbob]

IMO put the foam back. Back to topic. Did you get the correct PIE adapter for that headunit? They have a different chip from the stockers. On the stockers they take power from the 6 disc, on the Audiophile they take power from the SAT feature. Have you tried a hook up without the PIE?

[ledzilla]

All this talk about pie... Now I want some pie...

[ImpalaSlayer]

i still need to find one of these....

[J D]

I got an audiophile -FD radio for about 90 bucks from a junkyard, and for some reason it won't fit all the way into the dash, its as if the cables are too short and won't let the radio sit all the way back.

And to answer smoke, my sub works but I don't use an adapter, maybe that's the problem.

[SMOKE]

Was thinking about going back and running the Audiophile without the PIE one more time. I did a sanity check before running the wiring w/ the adapter just to make sure the head unit worked but didn't really crank it up or anything....mostly looking for lights and buttons and FM reception.

Will have to do a double check on the PIE P/N. Watched this thread very closely a couple or so pages back and got what I thought was right. Kept the packaging so it won't be too hard to retrace my steps. (still have the foam too LOL)

I know I have 1 pigtail hanging loose and was assuming it was for the 6-disk - may in fact be dealing w/ the "chip" issue justbob so thanks for the direction.

@J D: when I put in my FC and needed room for the PIE I pretty much lopped off the entire back end the "tray" the head unit sits in inside dash. I knew I had to drop the wiring off the back of the opening and down into the dash because there is tons of room behind the HVAC and between the glove box and instrument pod (for this wiring anyway). I started with a little snip-snip (more like a cut-cut with a hobby saw) and opened up a little room and pretty much resolved to whack the whole back lip of the "tray" and when I push the head unit in now the factory wiring/PIE wiring all slides back and out of the way no problem. For me anything short of clearing out the whole back side of this opening wouldn't even let me have a hope of locking in the unit to the dash.

Thanks all!

Best,
Jonathan