1997 Taurus GL Radio Issues - NOT TRS Related (?) - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

CKFord · 12-19-2005, 13:04

I have a 1997 Taurus GL, just got it recently. The radio (AM/FM Cassette) didn't work and one of the AC knobs was missing when I got the car, so I got another radio unit with all of the knobs thinking if the radio in the car was bad I would swap them out or just swap the knob if the one in the car actually checked good. No clock/radio display, but all other panel functions work.

Every fuse in the car is good and all other functions/buttons/knobs/lights on the head unit work except for radio/clock display itself. And of course no sound. That is all, no wierd power steering or other intermittent issues other than the front door courtesy lamps are out and I have a sticking door ajar switch in the front passenger door. So, I am thinking it is not TRS (Transmission Range Switch) related, unless all of the other related issues that are indicative of a misbehaving TRS have yet to rear their ugly heads. I have power to the unit and neither of the 2 head units I have show a radio display but all other functions work. All connectors looks good and I have power and ground to the radio (ie, the wires on the appropriate connector to the radio itself show 2 or 3 hots and 1 ground, 2 hots I believe when key is on, 1 in run) Any clues? I have NO RADIO/CLOCK DISPLAY OR SOUND. If anyone knows specifically what wires/harness are responsible for radio it would help, or what could be causing this it would be wonderful, the wiring diagrams that I have are not as revealing as I had hoped lol...Thanks guys!

SHOZ123 · 12-20-2005, 07:39

Here is the Ford wire diagram. There are much more knowledgeable folks over at TCCA if you wish to seek help there.

http://tinyurl.com/dzyfe

CKFord · 12-24-2005, 14:04

Thanks for the drawings, that was a big help. I found the rear unit and identified the (2) main rear unit harnessess, for speakers and power (connectors C478, C411 respectively). It looks like someone was in here at the amp, 3 of the fasteners that hold the felt trim were missing and there is a 3rd harness missing (possibly CD option?) from the far right of the amp and I assume to an empty connector I have in the rear unit harness near the amp.

My question(s) : Is there a way to test the amp? I think the missing harness may be for the CD option (C410 - NO info on this connector) which I don't have, not sure if that is what it is for tho. I know one of the pinouts from the amp is Audio System On (ASYSON), is it possible I have a blown amp and it isn't turning on the radio display? Or is it the missing harness, ie: robbed by the car owner for a different vehicle perhaps? At any rate, with all fuses operating and no radio display, I am leaning towards fried rear unit/amp or possible missing harness. If there was more info on the harness and amp connector C410 I might be able to rule it out, or if anyone knows how to test the amp, and can it indeed prevent the radio from having a display. Thanks guys, and sorry for the novel, I will post as this develops.

SHOZ123 · 12-24-2005, 17:17

C410 goes to the antenna motor.

SHOZ123 · 12-24-2005, 17:18

Your display is not coming from the amp. I would suspect the control unit in the dash.

goattee34 · 04-17-2006, 09:22

i am having a similar problem. i tried to install a cd deck, and when i put it in the deck was not working properly, so i took it out. i tried to put the factory head unit back on and nothing. no sound or clock. and i tried another old deck and still nothing. i dont think that they are getting power(except the first cd deck). maybe we can fix two problems with one forum.