OEM radio/speakers dead, or not?

[Matt Johnson]

Got back in the car today after a quick stop at the bank. Turned on the radio, got nothing but extremely low volume, muffled playback out of the back speaker (maybe just the sub-woofer only). iPod, tape, CD, radio all affected.

Anyone got any thoughts about how to remedy this?

(or should I just take the money I got out of the bank and upgrade it all - i am looking for an excuse)

[jawz101]

Well, at the least you'll need someone to pop the deck out and see if the connections are good still. Going through the cost of troubleshooting sound problems led me to just go ahead and upgrade the thing.

I had a 6-yr-old sony deck that was originally $350, now on eBay for $40. I went to a stereo shop here and they told me that if I put my old deck in the car my subs would be 3 times louder. (results satisfactory now btw)
From what I was told our factory deck uses digital compression to chop up low frequencies (bass) so that it's easier on the factory 'subwoofer'. Since I have 2 aftmkt 10" subs it only makes my bass sound muddy and less tight. After I put my old deck in it proved them right. I'd go ahead and get at least a cheap deck if anything. The troubleshooting a technician would do would justify the expense.

[Marauderjack]

These radios are famous for losing their frequency locking ability resulting in a situation that sounds like the station is very far away (low volume)!!

This happened to mine and while the dealer was awaiting a warranty rebuilt one...I bought one from a member in NY.

If you are in warranty then the dealer can fix you up....If not PM me and I'll sell you my spare for what I have in it!!:beer:

Marauderjack:D

[rookie1]

Got back in the car today after a quick stop at the bank. Turned on the radio, got nothing but extremely low volume, muffled playback out of the back speaker (maybe just the sub-woofer only). iPod, tape, CD, radio all affected.

Anyone got any thoughts about how to remedy this?

(or should I just take the money I got out of the bank and upgrade it all - i am looking for an excuse)


nothing out of the front or rear speakers? It could be that the oem unit is on the fritz but b4 I replaced everything I'd disconnect the positive battery cable for 10 minutes or so reconnect and see if the problem persists. Our hu's do have a poor teack record but it is typically the tuner section the goes bad. Have U had any aftermarket work done at all? could be a short @ one of the speakers.

[Petrograde]

I've had the same problem with mine. Radio only,.. I don't listen to the radio much, so I'm not really fired up to get it fixed.

However, I will be using this issue to justify getting a new stereo! :D

[TripleTransAm]

These radios are famous for losing their frequency locking ability resulting in a situation that sounds like the station is very far away (low volume)!!


In his case, he states CD and tape are also affected, so this isn't the problem.

I think it actually IS a case of the subwoofer playing and no speakers. I think someone else on here experienced this (RFOverlord?) and a quick 'reboot' brought everything back to normal.

It did happen to me once. I flicked on the radio, got nothing but the subwoofer, then after restarting the car from scratch, everything worked. (or maybe it was just a radio stop/start that did it, I can't remember...) anyway, it smelled a lot like a software glitch in the radio at the time (maybe in this case, it's the complete speaker output stage that's blown.

[RF Overlord]

I think someone else on here experienced this (RFOverlord?) and a quick 'reboot' brought everything back to normal.Nice try, /Steve...you're not pinning this one on me!

Actually, I did have a condition where everything BUT the subwoofer worked...next time the car was started, all was normal...and it's only done it the one time.

[jawz101]

ck. the classifieds for my OEM radio if interested in staying w/ original equipment. Mine still works fine though I would recommend in upgrading if you plan on upgrading the sub eventually (read my earlier post)

[spidercar]

Happened to me once, too, 9 months ago. Next morning when I started the car everything was fine. Never happened since.

[Vortech347]

Mine is going in tomorrow to the dealer because the front drivers side speaker dosn't work and I have to turn the volume to full blast to listen at a decent Level.

[MENINBLK]

The wire harness behind the radio is sometimes kinked
and pulls the plug out of the back of the radio.
I had my subwoofer stop playing intermittently
and a R&R of the radio, and repositioning the harness did the trick.

[Ryans PI]

I've thought about upgrading the speakers to something aftermarket when I get a Marauder. Any recommendations?

[sweetair]

This low volume muffled radio situation has happened to me a few times. Say 3 or so. My brother inlaw is a shop foreman @ Ford and his response to me was to turn the car off and start it again. It has worked every time. Not trying to be a buzz kill for getting a new sound system, but it really is not a problem. It hasn't happened in quite a while. Good luck..

[Rider90]

I've thought about upgrading the speakers to something aftermarket when I get a Marauder. Any recommendations?
I'm a large fan of most JL Audio Component Speakers. I hear Boston is good too, but I didn't really hear the proof.

[Vortech347]

Whoever had my car put some sort of dual voice coil Alpines in the back with little x-over boxes. Infact I may go get in the trunk and see if I can find a part number. I just hope they didn't screw something up or it wont' be covered under warranty. I've got Ford removal tools so maybe I'll try that tonight. Thanks guys for that idea. Maybe it will save me sitting at the dealer for 4 hours while monkeys hump the exhaust.

[Vortech347]

I pulled the deck out and the wires were fine. I jiggled them a little bit with everything on and nothing changed...

However I really messed with the ballance and to get an even sound on all 4 speakers I have to have the ballance about 90% to the front and 90% to the left.

The rear speakers are Alpine SPR-574A's. I looked in throu the door mesh and I don't think the fronts are stock either. They are definatlly 2 way after market speakers unless the Marauders come with 2 way fronts? Crap I might be screwed taking my car in tomorrow if its got all aftermarket speakers!!!

[ncmm]

In his case, he states CD and tape are also affected, so this isn't the problem.

I think it actually IS a case of the subwoofer playing and no speakers. I think someone else on here experienced this (RFOverlord?) and a quick 'reboot' brought everything back to normal.

It did happen to me once. I flicked on the radio, got nothing but the subwoofer, then after restarting the car from scratch, everything worked. (or maybe it was just a radio stop/start that did it, I can't remember...) anyway, it smelled a lot like a software glitch in the radio at the time (maybe in this case, it's the complete speaker output stage that's blown.

yep, same thing happened to me today, thought I was losing my mind. stopped the car, turned everything off, restarted the car and radio/cd player worked fine, really had me scared for a few moments

[TripleTransAm]

I always thought it was pretty hard to screw up something as simple as a radio, but....

[Marauderjack]

I still have the "Spare" if anyone is interested???:confused: ;)

Marauderjack:burnout:

[JMan]

Scroll to the bottom of this thread
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=18972

Try the self tests first before you disturb the wiring or connectors. Hope that helps!

J

[michael ward]

I've thought about upgrading the speakers to something aftermarket when I get a Marauder. Any recommendations? JL AUDIO!!!