Factory Ford Escape in dash 6-CD changer installed

[ncmm]

well I thought all was well. . .now the display starts to fade sometimes. Pushing on the left front of the unit and the green lights get brighter. Radio and CD player still work. Weird huh? Any ideas? Thanks!

[Richy04]

sounds like the ribbon cable to the display is loose, since all of the manufactures had to change to ROHS compliant solder, this is a common theme. If you are good with a soldering iron, you can go in and reflow all connections to the board with leaded solder and that should clear up the problem. The new solder in commercially made products is very prone to bad connections from road shock, it's not as flexible as leaded solder and is very brittle.

[ncmm]

thanks Richy04 I'll look at that soon

[larryo340]

I put in my Escape radio couple weeks ago, and just realized yesterday that the speed control volume selection works :D...pretty cool actually. It seems to raise the volume at 30 miles an hour and then again around 60.

[Richy04]

Just picked up an Audiophile unit yesterday, the sound is a thousand fold better than the original radio! Everything works like an Original Marauder radio, but the sound is much more creamy!

Anyway, I picked up an 01 Mustang GT convertible with 60k miles on it for the wife and it has the Mach 460 6 disc changer also, it was jammed. If you take a cd and poke the slot of the unit with it, you may be able to unjam it. It worked on the mustang if you play around with it while hitting the buttons for loading and changing the cd's. If the cd's aren't aligned, they will jam the shuttle. Do not push anywhere in the center of these radios, like Justbob said, you will mess the shuttle mechanism up. Plus all of the display and push buttons are on a circuit board and are mounted behind the faceplate. Only push on this radio from the very edges to seat it!

[MMinWPB]

Just installed the Audiophile (-FD). Took about 4 minutes except the passenger side doesn't want to snap in fully. Also apparently came with 6 free CDs that I didn't expect. Sounds great and the speed volume thing is cool. Now on to the more challenging upgrades and fixes...

[Dre1842]

Oh yea, good upgrade...

[chief455]

I read all 18 pages and bought the Audiohile - FD unit, will have in a few days.
my question is, with the 4 outer holes - how do I get the radio out of my dash, safely?

[Mr. Man]

I read all 18 pages and bought the Audiohile - FD unit, will have in a few days.
my question is, with the 4 outer holes - how do I get the radio out of my dash, safely?
Where did you get it? I think you use 4 nails in the holes and push them in which releases the locking mechanism that holds the radio in. Just go slow and don't force anything.

[ncmm]

here you go chief455. . .look at these pics


Just like to pass along this "budget" stereo upgrade I did today. (Thanks to a tip from shodude on MCM)

It's a factory stereo from a 2005 Escape, it has a in dash 6-CD changer and it works with the steering wheel buttons and sub, the factory changer in the trunk won't work though.

It suppose to be able to play Mp3's , but I can't get it to work.. But it plays burnt CD's with converted MP3's just fine.

I like the Factory look and the 6-CD in dash is very useful and the DSP button really improves the sound, no more tape-player!

Here's some pictures:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/Stereo_removal.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/Escape_factory_in_dash_6-CD_changer.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/Part_number.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/Marauder_stereo_to_the_right.J PG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/Escape_CD_installed.JPG

[chief455]

Where did you get it? I think you use 4 nails in the holes and push them in which releases the locking mechanism that holds the radio in. Just go slow and don't force anything.
From ebay.


here you go chief455. . .look at these pics
I saw the pics, thanks! Mr. Man answered = push nails inward to release - thanks!

[Comin' in Hot]

i believe you have to "close" the cd to play mp'3 on the disk. haven't made one for the car in awhile. also i tried the mach 300 and didn't like the sound i then bought the AUDIOPHILE unit which is what i have now. i really like it.

alright if you want the radio that i have (which i believe is the best one ford makes that will just plug into the marauder) you have to look for this part number
http://www.shodude.com/files/marauder/radiopartnumber.JPG


and here is the mach 300 and audiophile next to each other.

http://www.shodude.com/files/marauder/radios.JPG

they are a little hard to find but i think its worth it. i think it sounds better then the stock unit. any other questions feel free to ask...

I tried them both too, the audiophile has better sound

[chief455]

I tried them both too, the audiophile has better sound
:cool: Glad that's what I got...wish upgrades were all this easy;)

[chief455]

In and done, 10 minutes! Swapped the back rubber locating snub onto the Escape radio for a no rattle fit. Clicked right in. Scrolls song/folder titles, radio info (text button) reads mp3 and regular CD, sound is maybe better, but def as good!
Love this freaking forum :)

[MERCURY 2003LSE]

Put my Audiophile in to night but my passenger side will not snap in as well .
Removed and fiddled over and over for about an hour it will not seat on the right side.
Hard to tell , Sounds and works Awesome with all steering controls working as well.:beer:

[chief455]

Anyone know if we have an OEM mp3 radio that will direct fit into a 2000 Town Car?

[NavySeabee]

So the connectors fit perfectly with no extra adapters needed?

Glenn

Same radio I put in mine. The CD changer in the trunk won't work with this radio but the CD changer in the head unit makes up for that.
Plug and Play. Two minute swap job.