FM radio keeps searching for stations

[Serge]

I am trying to fix a few things on the Marauder. One of the things that doesn't work is the FM radio. Basically when I push the seek button it just loops around in circles and doesn't find a station. When I use Tune it picks up local stations but reception is not very good. Almost seems like the antenna feed is broken. I checked all connections in the back of the head unit, they look ok. Checked the antenna joint behind the pass side kick panel and at the rear window and that too is ok. I am starting to wonder if the head unit is bad.

Is this a common issue?

[babbage]

Not even sure where the antenna is - in the glass?

If you do replace it see if you can find this: 6L8T-18C815-FD - Escape Audiophile head end - works with factory wheel, plays MP3 burned CD's. Fits perfectly.

Got mine for around $80 from a yard.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Some Marauder factory radios have an issue over time with some circuitry that loses fm signal. best bet is to replace it with an audiophile unit as mentioned..plug and play even steering wheel controls work, however the trunk mounted cd changer will not work if so equipped. but the audiophile unit has 6 disc indash that does work.

[RF Overlord]

Yes, the antenna is in the rear glass.

Serge, there is also a box under the package shelf (IIRC) that isolates the radio signal from the defroster power, but I suspect the others are correct that it's the known issue with the head unit.

[Serge]

Ok thanks for the info.

I swapped the heat unit with one in the Vic and that one worked as it should. Looks like the head unit is toast. Car has a trunk mounted CD changer which I kinda want to keep. I will rip the head unit apart and take a heat gun to the circuit board. If it's a bad solder joint this might fix it. The unit is fubared anyway so I got nothing to lose.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Marauder radios sell for around 80-100 on here when listed. the audiophile from the escape are $125 and up..sound better and plays cd;s from the dash with the built in 6 cd changer so the trunk one not needed really.

[Serge]

What year Escapes have those head units? There are a few at a local junkyard and they sell head units for 30 bucks.

[RubberCtyRauder]

this is the model number that is the one that does work 6L8T-18C815-FD ..I think it was a few years..2005 for sure. I'llsee if I can dig up more info
I found mine thru car-part.com which lists the model numbers.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I believe it is 05-07..mecury mariner too.

[Serge]

Heatgun trick worked. Radio works again.

[RF Overlord]

I'd heard that the cause of the infamous FM issue was a bad solder joint(s). Sounds like you found it... WTG :cool:

[fastblackmerc]

Heatgun trick worked. Radio works again.

It will be back.

[Serge]

It will be back.

Yea, probably. I will keep an eye out for a replacement.

[Trevor M]

Could you possible explain where you hit the unit with the heat gun?!?! I just pulled my radio out to try and see if I could fix the solder but i would like to try this first. I want to replace the radio but don't have the extra money to spend at this time, Thanks.

[8UWITH6]

I was just searching on this subject as well. Glad someone brought it up. Wife's car FM radio stations fade in and out and the "ST" display blinks and flickers when this happens. I ran the self tests and it passed on the radio. No big deal right? Grabbed my factory radio that I pulled out of the DBP and popped it in there. Worked for a day now its doing the same thing?????? Whats the chances of 2 radio's doing this? Mine worked fine in my DBP before removing. Help.

[Trevor M]

mine does the same ST thing ^^^^^^

[fastblackmerc]

mine does the same ST thing ^^^^^^

Upgrade to the Escape headunit or go aftermarket.

[jsignorelli]

I had the radio replaced twice by the dealer while still under warrantee. Then it went bad a third time. I gave up on Ford (aka: oversees radios) and went with a trusted name: Pioneer.!

Now I have control of my iPod, CD's, AM-FM-Sirius-and even movies. The Pioneer AVIC unit was pricey, but it also has been in the car for five years with no trouble.

[Gryphonzus]

The heat gun trick will work for a little while but after it heats up and cools down a few times it will start acting up again. The only way to really fix it is to find the bad solder joint and re-flow the solder.

[Marauderjack]

Upgrade to the Escape headunit or go aftermarket.

^^^+10^^^:beer:

I bought a new Escape one on eBay and it is FANTASTIC!!:bows:

[345HP87SSAC]

Same problem here!

[fastblackmerc]

I had the radio replaced twice by the dealer while still under warrantee. Then it went bad a third time. I gave up on Ford (aka: oversees radios) and went with a trusted name: Pioneer.!

Now I have control of my iPod, CD's, AM-FM-Sirius-and even movies. The Pioneer AVIC unit was pricey, but it also has been in the car for five years with no trouble.

+1 on the Pioneer. Love my AVIC-X940BT http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/GPS-Navigation/AVIC-X940BT

Swapped out the older AVIC-D2 for it a few years ago. Can't beat the features.

Checkout www.avic411.com for good tips, hacks, etc.

The best mod I did to the X904BT was this.....
http://avic411.com/index.php?/topic/33285-better-x910bt-x930bt-and-x940bt-volume-knobs/

[fastblackmerc]

The heat gun trick will work for a little while but after it heats up and cools down a few times it will start acting up again. The only way to really fix it is to find the bad solder joint and re-flow the solder.

I have taken a few radios apart and you can't get to the tuner part without disassembling a major part of the unit. Easy fix but alot of labor is involved.

[jsignorelli]

I purchased the Pioneer AVIC-Z130BT. Now I have a large screen backup camera, and all of the features required for a home theater system.. except it is in my car.

[william s]

I went through three factory radios before I went after market.

[fastblackmerc]

I had the radio replaced twice by the dealer while still under warrantee. Then it went bad a third time. I gave up on Ford (aka: oversees radios) and went with a trusted name: Pioneer.!

Now I have control of my iPod, CD's, AM-FM-Sirius-and even movies. The Pioneer AVIC unit was pricey, but it also has been in the car for five years with no trouble.

And Pioneer is made where??

Hint: It's not made here....

[O's Fan Rich]

I've got two stockers, 03 from the MM and 04 from the Sport...
They worked when I replaced them with Pioneer setups...RIP Lowell....

[Serge]

Could you possible explain where you hit the unit with the heat gun?!?! I just pulled my radio out to try and see if I could fix the solder but i would like to try this first. I want to replace the radio but don't have the extra money to spend at this time, Thanks.

I hit the whole circuit board with a heatgun because I couldn't figure out which part was messed up. Initially I only did the tuner area which didn't work so I went at it.

Anyway, the fix lasted about a week before it crapped out again. Funny thing is the exact same unit in my Crown Vic is working fine with no issues. Kinda makes me wonder if the amp and sub in the trunk is putting a higher load on the stock head unit and is blowing something out.

[sb2463]

Antenna issue. Where did you find the cold solder joint? At the head unit or at the rear glass window on the inside. Also are the Defroster and the Antena on the same circuit?

Thanks steve

[jsignorelli]

You have joined the secret organization of Marauder owners whose radio quits. Next will be a total loss of the FM, Then the total loss of the AM. Then the trip to the stereo shop the replace the piece of Ford Cr_p and install a real, (on-board), audio shop.

[fastblackmerc]

I hit the whole circuit board with a heatgun because I couldn't figure out which part was messed up. Initially I only did the tuner area which didn't work so I went at it.

Anyway, the fix lasted about a week before it crapped out again. Funny thing is the exact same unit in my Crown Vic is working fine with no issues. Kinda makes me wonder if the amp and sub in the trunk is putting a higher load on the stock head unit and is blowing something out.

It's the head unit, either replace it with the Escape unit or go aftermarket.


Antenna issue. Where did you find the cold solder joint? At the head unit or at the rear glass window on the inside. Also are the Defroster and the Antena on the same circuit?

Thanks steve

See above... not the antenna.


You have joined the secret organization of Marauder owners whose radio quits. Next will be a total loss of the FM, Then the total loss of the AM. Then the trip to the stereo shop the replace the piece of Ford Cr_p and install a real, (on-board), audio shop.

This is correct ^^^^^^^^^^