Radio dead again.

[william s]

Well my second OEM radio died. No FM,the first one was replaced by ford. I can't find a excape radio. My wife is driving me crazy about the FM not working. Does anyone know if a GM or Crown Vic or Town Car will fit. I don't care about the control on wheel or disc player for now. I might send the OEM out for repair. Thanks Bill

[napolitano]

I know how you feel. My radio is out also and she just wants to talk now when we ride somewhere. Crazy world. Who talk s to their wife anymore while they enjoy their toys like the MM. Lol someone will probably chime in. An escape radio fits? What year?

[TFB]

Any civvy Crown Vic or Grand Marquis radio from '03 up should work, though not all have the sub woofer connector.. The original Marauder radio is actually fairly common in those(the one in my mom's '03 Grand Marquis also failed under warranty)... Just to get you going, verify it has a 24pin power connector and you are good to go...

The CVPI and '02-earlier used a 16 pin power connector so stay away from those...

[SC Cheesehead]

I've got the OEM radio I pulled out of my car when I swapped in the current Audiophile unit, let me know if you're interested in it.

[TFB]

An escape radio fits? What year?

The '06 & '07 6CD Audiophile(only, not the std 6CD unit, different connectors) used in the Escape and Mariner is a exact replacement, has the sub-woofer connector, works with the steering wheel controls and will play Mp3 discs... The '05 models used a Mach 300 radio that's similar but won't play Mp3, it's also said it has a less powerful amp...

[SC Cheesehead]

The '06 & '07 6CD Audiophile(only) used in the Escape and Mariner is a exact replacement, has the sub-woofer connector, works with the steering wheel controls and will play Mp3 discs... The '05 models used a Mach 300 radio that's similar but won't play Mp3, it's also said it has a less powerful amp...

Yeah, they're getting a bit hard to find, but this is an excellent upgrade over the original radio, I really like mine.

[LIGHTNIN1]

Mine went out and went the Escape route. Got it through LKQ auto parts with 200 locations nationwide. A quick search says they have one and will ship to you. Am well satisfied with mine.

http://www.lkqonline.com/default.aspx

[william s]

Thanks guys. I am getting the OEM radio from SC Cheesehead. If it ever goes out I will still have something to listen to while I have the other one fixed. Bill

[RF Overlord]

This place (http://www.videoservicestop.com/radiorepairs/ford.htm) has been used by a few members with success. I keep meaning to bring mine there as it's only about an hour from where I live...

[TFB]

For the cost of a repair on the original radio the Escape/Mariner Audiophile unit can likely be purchased(I paid $90 bucks for the one I have in my Marauder & $135 for the one I have in my '07 MGM)...

They are a better sounding unit than the stock radio and look totally factory, only downside is if you still use your cassette player...

http://members.cox.net/turbocoupe50/audiophile1.jpg

[01LXHPP]

thats the headunit our cars should of had stock... I don't know why ford listed "audiophile" sound system and gave us the standard headunit...

[TFB]

thats the headunit our cars should of had stock... I don't know why ford listed "audiophile" sound system and gave us the standard headunit...

Well that would have been a neat trick, especially since AFAIK this unit was not avail til '06...

[jsignorelli]

After I replaced my radio twice with a factory OEM. The third radio started to go bad.
I went to Pioneer. I put their AVIC-Z130BT. Now I have AM/HD-FM, Satellite, iPod, 3-D GPS, Bluetooth, Steering Wheel control,music CD, video DVD on the Hi-Def 7 inch screen, etc.

I'm sorry I did not do this sooner.

[screamn]

Will be doing the same for my POS stock unit!

Aftermarket the right way to go!!!!

Currently I got no radio reception whatsoever ...only plays CDs.

Radio did the failing in & out for a little while then just quit.

[01LXHPP]

Well that would have been a neat trick, especially since AFAIK this unit was not avail til '06...

Ok, maybe not that "exact one", but close enough....

I do know back when these cars came out a forum member took his car to the dealer and told them it had the incorrect headunit, showed them "audiophile" on the window sticker and actually got the dealer to install a new headunit for free.... This was way back in 02 or 03, so I don't remember where that thread is :(

I'm not positive but doesn't the owners manual show more then one headunit?

[jsignorelli]

The Ford head unit didn't conrol the sub-woofer in the Marauder. The aftermarket unit "DOES" control the sub-woofer.

Personally... after my experiences with Ford radios starting back in 1969 with my first new Mustang, I'd wind up going after market sooner or later. Now, only my 2011 Fusion has a stock radio...although the Sync Touch is hardly defined as stock. All of my other cars are after market (Alpine or Pioneer).

[Glenn-ho]

does the 6 disc audiofile system from the escape/mariner also show the name of the song and artist like the stock MM radio?

[william s]

My window sticker said the car had a Audiophile unit. They must have put the cheaper unit in.

[TFB]

The '03 radio with RDS, tape, CD, amplified sub-woofer and maybe a changer(optional) is the Audiophile unit...

[Glenn-ho]

Does the 6 disc audiophile system from the escape/mariner also show the name of the song and artist like the stock MM radio?

Do you have a part number for the Escape/Mariner 6disc audiophile radio?
I am searching carparts.com and need a part number.

[SC Cheesehead]

Does the 6 disc audiophile system from the escape/mariner also show the name of the song and artist like the stock MM radio?

Do you have a part number for the Escape/Mariner 6disc audiophile radio?
I am searching carparts.com and need a part number.

Yes, song and artist will show up, if set for that feature.

6L8T-18C815-FD or 6L8T-18C815-FC. The FC is basically the same radio, just an earlier model.

Good luck with your search, they're getting harder to come by, but are worth the effort, IMO.

Also, check out LKQ, they're a very reputable used parts source, that's where I got my radio from.

http://www.lkqonline.com/default.aspx

[Phrog_gunner]

Yes, song and artist will show up, if set for that feature.

6L8T-18C815-FD or 6L8T-18C815-FC. The FC is basically the same radio, just an earlier model.

Good luck with your search, they're getting harder to come by, but are worth the effort, IMO.

Also, check out LKQ, they're a very reputable used parts source, that's where I got my radio from.

http://www.lkqonline.com/default.aspx

Do you lose control of the CD changer in the trunk with these radios? Not that it really matters, since you have 6 Disk in the dash now.

[SC Cheesehead]

Do you lose control of the CD changer in the trunk with these radios? Not that it really matters, since you have 6 Disk in the dash now.


Yup, although IIRC, you may be able to modify the connection to make it work.

[Mr. Man]

The '06 & '07 6CD Audiophile(only, not the std 6CD unit, different connectors) used in the Escape and Mariner is a exact replacement, has the sub-woofer connector, works with the steering wheel controls and will play Mp3 discs... The '05 models used a Mach 300 radio that's similar but won't play Mp3, it's also said it has a less powerful amp...


The Ford head unit didn't control the sub-woofer in the Marauder. The aftermarket unit "DOES" control the sub-woofer.

Personally... after my experiences with Ford radios starting back in 1969 with my first new Mustang, I'd wind up going after market sooner or later. Now, only my 2011 Fusion has a stock radio...although the Sync Touch is hardly defined as stock. All of my other cars are after market (Alpine or Pioneer).


I'm confused. :confused:

If I go to Ford or some other place what do I ask for? Sounds like the one TFB is touting is a good way to go but then another guy has had problems with connectors.

Can someone bottom line this what is the part number from Ford that has all the bells and whistles that will directly replace the OEM MM unit and all the controls and extraneous other pieces will still work?

Thanks:)

[SC Cheesehead]

I'm confused. :confused:

If I go to Ford or some other place what do I ask for? Sounds like the one TFB is touting is a good way to go but then another guy has had problems with connectors.

Can someone bottom line this what is the part number from Ford that has all the bells and whistles that will directly replace the OEM MM unit and all the controls and extraneous other pieces will still work?

Thanks:)


See post #21. Plug 'n play with either of those p/ns, except for the use of the trunk mounted 6 CD changer.

Steering wheel controls work, radio fits perfectly in the opening, better sound, in dash CD loading, plays MP3s, great upgrade over the OEM radio, IMO.

[Phrog_gunner]

Yup, although IIRC, you may be able to modify the connection to make it work.

I'm too OCD, I can't have stuff not "working" on Maybellene.

[TFB]

I'm too OCD, I can't have stuff not "working" on Maybellene.
AFAIK the Escape/Mariner Audiophile is not designed to work with a external changer...

If you have a couple hours to kill, sift through this thread to see if anyone has gotten their remote changer to operate with the replacement unit...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55866&highlight=6L8T-18C815-FD

[SC Cheesehead]

AFAIK the Escape/Mariner Audiophile is not designed to work with a external changer...

If you have a couple hours to kill, sift through this thread to see if anyone has gotten their remote changer to operate with the replacement unit...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=55866&highlight=6L8T-18C815-FD

fastblackmerc mentioned something to me a while back about a PIE adaptor (I think :dunno:) that could be used to tie in the remote 6 CD unit to the Escape/Mariner Audiophile; anybody interested, maybe wouldn't hurt to send him a PM.

[Mr. Man]

See post #21. Plug 'n play with either of those p/ns, except for the use of the trunk mounted 6 CD changer.

Steering wheel controls work, radio fits perfectly in the opening, better sound, in dash CD loading, plays MP3s, great upgrade over the OEM radio, IMO.
Sub-woofer thingy too?

[SC Cheesehead]

Sub-woofer thingy too?

Yup, radio is a direct replacement.

[bigmerc'03]

well last week my radio fm amd cd stopped working at the same time just order the audiophile out of a 06 mercury mariner from LKQ auto parts ...heard alot of good things on here about it so i jumped on board i cant wait to get it

[bigmerc'03]

ok got the new audiophile and wow what a difference i love it now i need to learn how to burn mp3's