Focus stereo problem

big_white_dog84 · 11 Jun 2006 at 20:32

My gf borrowed my car for the weekend and it has been returned with a new graze on one of the alloy wheels and an inoperative stereo.

It does nothing at all when the power button is pushed. What could be causing this? A loose connection at the back maybe? Where can I get my hands on the tool that takes the stereo out to have a look?

Goliath · 11 Jun 2006 at 22:07

big_white_dog84 said:
My gf borrowed my car for the weekend and it has been returned with a new graze on one of the alloy wheels and an inoperative stereo.

It does nothing at all when the power button is pushed. What could be causing this? A loose connection at the back maybe? Where can I get my hands on the tool that takes the stereo out to have a look?

Checked the fuse? They can pop of their own accord occasionally.

calamity · 11 Jun 2006 at 22:15

if she has had the front off ie the security part make sure none of the little wire prongs behind this are not damaged .If they are and there is a bad connection the radio will not work.

big_white_dog84 · 11 Jun 2006 at 22:19

I checked the prongs and they seem OK. I will whip it out tomorrow and check the stuff at the back. I assume the fuse will be found behind the stereo? I am advised to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery before removing the stereo. Is this really necessary?

saitrix · 11 Jun 2006 at 22:22

The fue will be behind your glovebox, read your car manual, it will tell you where it is.

If not ill have a look in my haynes manual for you.

Adam · 11 Jun 2006 at 22:23

Nope not at all. Just make sure you have your keycode for the radio to hand if you disconnect any wires and it works again. Ford didn't provide my girlfriend with one even though she bought it brand new. They wanted £30 + VAT for the code so I told them where to stick it and obtained it elsewhere

calamity · 11 Jun 2006 at 22:25

no i would'nt disconnect the battery as long as you're not cutting wires there are 3 plugs on the rear of the radio as i remember and you can't mix them up.

big_white_dog84 · 12 Jun 2006 at 12:38

I noticed this morning that the small red light under the security panel (containing numbers 2,3 and 4) is still on. Would a blown fuse cause this light to go out?

saitrix · 12 Jun 2006 at 12:58

It could do. The fuses for the radio are both behind the glovebox. You are able to pull it past the stoppers by pushing in the sides of it so you can get to the fuses. F50 (7.5A) does the radio, central times and certain instruments according to Haynes. Also F31 (15A) is purely just for the radio. Check those 2 fuses to see if they have blown.

big_white_dog84 · 12 Jun 2006 at 13:01

Thanks. Do I take the glove box out? What page of haynes are you looking at?

saitrix · 12 Jun 2006 at 13:07

The glovebox just swings down lower on its hindges further to allow you to get behind it.

I'm using the Wiring diagrams area (12.25).

gc123 · 12 Jun 2006 at 13:07

easy option first, just disconnect the battery for a few minutes first. sounds like the radio has got confused with the heat etc. whether you disconect the battery or replace a fuse make sure you have the code.

big_white_dog84 · 12 Jun 2006 at 13:09

Got the code - what do you mean by 'confused with the heat etc'?

big_white_dog84 · 12 Jun 2006 at 13:11

Got the page, thanks. Mine has got F50 as heated mirrors though. Going down to have a wee look for the fuse box.

saitrix · 12 Jun 2006 at 13:14

big_white_dog84 said:
Got the page, thanks. Mine has got F50 as heated mirrors though. Going down to have a wee look for the fuse box.

Heated mirrors is F51 (7.5A) for me. :confused:

big_white_dog84 · 12 Jun 2006 at 14:01

GOt the glove box out and changed fuse 31 even though it looked OK. 50 was also OK even though my manual says heated mirrors. I'm thinking my manual is wrong cause I don't even have heated mirrors!

Next step is to whip the radio out - apparently I need some sort of U tool?

gc123 · 12 Jun 2006 at 22:06

sorry just got in . have had ford toaster stereos/ cd players lock up before. usually just removing the power for a few minutes releases them. easest way disconnect the battery, (just one terminal).

big_white_dog84 · 13 Jun 2006 at 11:31

Thanks - I'm gonna try that this afternoon.

big_white_dog84 · 4 Jul 2006 at 13:57

It is officially burst. Need to get a new one. They are about £60 on ebay

I need to choose between a like-for-like replacement or going for something different and risking spoiling the sexy interior of my sexy car.