OEM Radio - 2003

[BillFromSC]

Hey all,

My 03 Marauder has a stock radio. The CD part works like a charm but the radio has no reception, at all.

It started going a while back. It would work sometimes and then suddenly go quiet. I was thinking it might be the antenna or antenna wire. I started chasing that today, starting from the back of the radio, but it seems to get lost behind the panel really quick, and I'm not sure where it ends. Also, I got thinking that the radio should at least pick up something, even if the antenna wire was not connected, but it doesn't. If I do "seek" or "scan" it just continually cycles all the way around.

Any ideas?

Bill

[lji372]

These Radios are known to go bad, kiss it good bye.

[MOTOWN]

Yes , a very common problem with them , this would be a perfect time to upgrade to an aftermarket head unit.

[Turbov6Bryan]

Yup. Buy new radio. Fixed

[Gerry24]

Yes , a very common problem with them , this would be a perfect time to upgrade to an aftermarket head unit.

^^^*:concur:^^^

[fastblackmerc]

OEM unit is toast.

You have two options.

1 - Install an Escape radio, internal 6-CD changer and the steering wheel controls will still work.

2 - Install and aftermarket unit, good time to upgrade to a GPS unit, with Bluetooth, SD card, iPod, rear camera and AUX capabilities.

[FordNut]

The only downside to changing out to an aftermarket or Excape unit is you lose the trunk-mount CD changer. If it doesn't work, it needs to come out of the trunk and the trunk liner trim needs to be replaced. Where do you get that? I'm not even sure what it looks like since all 3 of mine have the changer.

[Turbov6Bryan]

The only downside to changing out to an aftermarket or Excape unit is you lose the trunk-mount CD changer. If it doesn't work, it needs to come out of the trunk and the trunk liner trim needs to be replaced. Where do you get that? I'm not even sure what it looks like since all 3 of mine have the changer.

Silver birch we just picked up... No disc changer from factory

[RubberCtyRauder]

Escape radio has. 6 disc in dash so no need to go to trunk

[phoenixmotors]

Just switched mine out for the escape works great....

Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk

[MOTOWN]

I don't think I have used a cd in 3 , or 4 years.

[FordNut]

Silver birch we just picked up... No disc changer from factory

I can't tell, would the whole trunk liner need to be replaced or just the driver's side?

[FordNut]

Escape radio has. 6 disc in dash so no need to go to trunk

But a non-functional cd changer would still be in the trunk. Non-functional stuff needs to go away.

[fastblackmerc]

I can't tell, would the whole trunk liner need to be replaced or just the driver's side?

Just the piece on the drivers side.

[tbone]

But a non-functional cd changer would still be in the trunk. Non-functional stuff needs to go away.

I have a Pioneer Navi, saved the oem radio and left the 6 disc in the trunk as is. Someday, originality may be important. Like an 8 track in a Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am! lol

[jsignorelli]

After my factory radio failed for the third time, it was time to go after market.
I put a Pioneer AVIC-Z130BT. I now have GPS, Satellite, DVD-movies, back-up camera, AM/FM, iPod

So what took me so long to throw away the factory (very far east) radios. I know that the Pioneer is not made here, but it is made by a company that believes in Quality Control!

[Catfish]

You guys are missing the most important part of the OEM radio; the cassette player. There's nothing like cruising in the MM to some Winger or Skid Row on cassette.

[jsignorelli]

They still make cassettes? I thought they died when the dinosaurs and 8-track players were wiped out.

[JustRight]

Just switched mine out for the escape works great....

Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk

Just curious if if sounds the same with the Escape radio? What year did it come out of and is there a security programming issue like the GM's have?

[MGDriver]

Is there any way to repair the OEM radio at all? I would very much like to keep it original.

[RubberCtyRauder]

yes, it sounds better, no programming issues, steering wheel controls work, so does subwoofer, has 6 in dash cd payer, trunk mounted cd chnger will NOT work.

search for this number 6L8T-18C815-FD..ebay, LKQ..they sell fro $125-$200

[MOTOWN]

Is there any way to repair the OEM radio at all? I would very much like to keep it original.

It would be cheaper to buy another used one , and enjoy it until it crokes!

[fastblackmerc]

Just curious if if sounds the same with the Escape radio? What year did it come out of and is there a security programming issue like the GM's have?

The Escape radio actually sounds better that the original radio. Look above for the Ford P/N. It's plug-n-play, nothing extra needed.

[justbob]

The Escape radio actually sounds better that the original radio. Look above for the Ford P/N. It's plug-n-play, nothing extra needed.


Way, way better.


Sent from my iThrone using Tapatalk

[RubberCtyRauder]

Escape and/or Mariner

here are a few on ebay, you can try car-part.com, that is how I found mine (which i might sell but it will be a little while yet) I believe it is 05-07 escape/mariner

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=6L8T-18C815-FD

[Catfish]

Those won't play cassette tapes.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Those won't play cassette tapes.

Nor 8 track. It is what it is. All marauder radios are prone to losing fm reception. It's hit or miss

[fastblackmerc]

Way, way better.


Sent from my iThrone using Tapatalk

Upgrading the speakers will be a big improvement also.

[phoenixmotors]

I got one out of a 2005 escape Ltd. Plugged it in and can't tell the difference. My original would trigger the factory amp to come on. I have a guy who could have fixed the original but wasn't worth the expense. I see lots coming in on trade at my ford store so it didn't cost me a dime

Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk

[phoenixmotors]

I got one out of a 2005 escape Ltd. Plugged it in and can't tell the difference. My original would trigger the factory amp to come on. I have a guy who could have fixed the original but wasn't worth the expense. I see lots coming in on trade at my ford store so it didn't cost me a dime

Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk
Sorry....wouldn't trigger the amp to come on.

Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk

[JustRight]

yes, it sounds better, no programming issues, steering wheel controls work, so does subwoofer, has 6 in dash cd payer, trunk mounted cd chnger will NOT work.

search for this number 6L8T-18C815-FD..ebay, LKQ..they sell fro $125-$200

Thanks!


The Escape radio actually sounds better that the original radio. Look above for the Ford P/N. It's plug-n-play, nothing extra needed.

Thanks.


Way, way better.


Sent from my iThrone using Tapatalk

Thanks again.


Escape and/or Mariner

here are a few on ebay, you can try car-part.com, that is how I found mine (which i might sell but it will be a little while yet) I believe it is 05-07 escape/mariner

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=6L8T-18C815-FD


Great! Thanks.


Those won't play cassette tapes.

Or 78 rpm vinyl? :up:

[JustRight]

I found a 2004 Escape 6 Disc Cd player still in the car at my local salvage yard yesterday. He only wants 40 bucks for it. Is the 2004 the same?

[FordNut]

I can't tell, would the whole trunk liner need to be replaced or just the driver's side?


Just the piece on the drivers side.

Went to the junkyard yesterday. The non- cd changer trunk liner is two pieces. Not left/right though. One piece is on the ledge with spare tire. Another piece goes all the way from one side to the other. Several cars in the junkyard yesterday had them, most had holes in them or grease from hauling nasty stuff in the trunk. Got one good one though, so if I have to change to the Escape head unit I can get rid of the trunkmount changer and make it look right.

[03blackvegas]

Went to the junkyard yesterday. The non- cd changer trunk liner is two pieces. Not left/right though. One piece is on the ledge with spare tire. Another piece goes all the way from one side to the other. Several cars in the junkyard yesterday had them, most had holes in them or grease from hauling nasty stuff in the trunk. Got one good one though, so if I have to change to the Escape head unit I can get rid of the trunkmount changer and make it look right.

I like your initiative.

[JustRight]

I still haven't gotten a reply if the 04 radio will work, so I haven't made it back to the salvage yard to take a closer look at the $40 radio. But, I just scored an 07 Escape, 6 disc, smoke-free radio that looks like brand new for $85 off of Ebay. Looking forward to having the extra disc capacity. :D

[03blackvegas]

I still haven't gotten a reply if the 04 radio will work, so I haven't made it back to the salvage yard to take a closer look at the $40 radio. But, I just scored an 07 Escape, 6 disc, smoke-free radio that looks like brand new for $85 off of Ebay. Looking forward to having the extra disc capacity. :D

"Smoke free",.....what about clean and sober?

[Turbov6Bryan]

Went to the junkyard yesterday. The non- cd changer trunk liner is two pieces. Not left/right though. One piece is on the ledge with spare tire. Another piece goes all the way from one side to the other. Several cars in the junkyard yesterday had them, most had holes in them or grease from hauling nasty stuff in the trunk. Got one good one though, so if I have to change to the Escape head unit I can get rid of the trunkmount changer and make it look right.

I wasn't going to stick my nose into it when someone mentioned just replacing the left side.... Ummm yeah, the floor piece is connected to the left, right, front , back
Glad you found a non cd trunk liner! How much did the bone yard charge you for the liner?

[FordNut]

I wasn't going to stick my nose into it when someone mentioned just replacing the left side.... Ummm yeah, the floor piece is connected to the left, right, front , back
Glad you found a non cd trunk liner! How much did the bone yard charge you for the liner?

fifteen bucks. It came from a CV without air ride, but the cutout is there anyway. The sticker will just need to be swapped.

[1stMerc]

Hey all,

My 03 Marauder has a stock radio. The CD part works like a charm but the radio has no reception, at all.

It started going a while back. It would work sometimes and then suddenly go quiet. I was thinking it might be the antenna or antenna wire. I started chasing that today, starting from the back of the radio, but it seems to get lost behind the panel really quick, and I'm not sure where it ends. Also, I got thinking that the radio should at least pick up something, even if the antenna wire was not connected, but it doesn't. If I do "seek" or "scan" it just continually cycles all the way around.

Any ideas?

Bill


Is there any way to repair the OEM radio at all? I would very much like to keep it original.

Had these people repair mine some years back. Wanted to keep the cassette, as well.

United Radio Service, Inc.
5705 Enterprise Pkwy
E Syracuse, NY 13057

(800) 448-0944
(315) 446-5570

[JoeBoomz]

I've got two, send me a PM offer, but keep in mind shipping from Canada is probably another $50. Luckily auto parts are duty free across the border.

[JustRight]

"Smoke free",.....what about clean and sober?

It's very clean, can't testify on its sobriety. I'll take her to a few AA meetings if she plays a little wobbly. :neener:

[PRCARGUY]

:popcorn:...

[JustRight]

Went to the junkyard and looked at the 04 radio today. Thought I might pick it up for a spare since it's so cheap. Well, now I know why you need an 05-07 radio. The earlier year models don't have the subwoofer plug.

[JustRight]

After two weeks and no radio showing up on my door step, I messaged the Ebay seller about where the radio was. They had decided the radio was originally priced too cheaply and had backed out of the deal, only I had already paid for it. What a weasel thing to do since they are the ones who set the price.

Ebay is making sure I get a refund.

It worked out for the best, though. Last night I found a 6L8T-18C815-FD for $50 about 5 minutes after it was posted. It has already been shipped out today.

[TJCOX]

Will a 2010 work in the Marauder? My daughter has a 2010 Escape and it's radio really sounds great.
Tom

[TJCOX]

Hey all,

My 03 Marauder has a stock radio. The CD part works like a charm but the radio has no reception, at all.

It started going a while back. It would work sometimes and then suddenly go quiet. I was thinking it might be the antenna or antenna wire. I started chasing that today, starting from the back of the radio, but it seems to get lost behind the panel really quick, and I'm not sure where it ends. Also, I got thinking that the radio should at least pick up something, even if the antenna wire was not connected, but it doesn't. If I do "seek" or "scan" it just continually cycles all the way around.

Any ideas?

Bill

I believe the Aliens are screwing with our units. I've had issues in the past and just recently
the radio began losing the frequencies AM/FM but now it's playing again.

[fastblackmerc]

I believe the Aliens are screwing with our units. I've had issues in the past and just recently
the radio began losing the frequencies AM/FM but now it's playing again.

Common problem. It will start losing AM/FM again and then it will stop receiving them for good.

[DrZ]

If you want to fix your OEM radio send it United Radio 800-686-0349 East Syracuse, NY 13057. Fixed mine factory original radio for the exact same reason 5 plus years and still perfect.

[lifespeed]

If you want to fix your OEM radio send it United Radio 800-686-0349 East Syracuse, NY 13057. Fixed mine factory original radio for the exact same reason 5 plus years and still perfect.

Probably dried out electrolytic caps. Fixable, but questionable whether it is worth fixing. Yeah, original radio and all that, but how many of us are leaving our cars completely original?

[Rockettman]

I bought the Escape deck to replace my original deck (as I had the same problem as everyone else).
Kept it in for a few years; and have since gone back to the original deck.

I bought an adapter for the cassette slot, that has the cord and an 1/8" plug at the other end, so I could just plug in my iPhone and have all my music at hand. (Radio has too many dammed commercials anyhow! lol).

This was best for me, as (at the time) I didn't have the cash, nor the desire/time to upgrade to an expensive unit; and as a result, I have access to a heck-of-allot more music that just the CDs that the other can hold.

That said..the Escape deck IS worthwhile as a "quick" and SUPER-EASY replacement.