2nd Generation Base AM/FM Radio

[Fifty150]

 

The installation kit comes with a harness for the blue wire.  The blue wire is usually for power to an amplifier.  Before I take apart the dash and remove the radio, does the base model even have a powered amplifier?  Do I even need to hook up that wire to the aftermarket radio harness?

 

 

 

 

[mrtn]

There is no separate amplifier for the base radio. It's all integrated.

[Fifty150]

Thanks for the timely reply.  

 

I'll note, that for anyone else who bought the cheapest van on the lot, with an AM/FM only radio, that there is a different dash kit.  It comes with different parts.  There is a sub-dash bracket.  And if you are also installing a backup camera, the curved dashboard on the drivers side pops off just like the piece in the center, if you need more access to run the wiring.

 

Since it is so basic, a stripped down commercial model with AM/FM only, encountered zero problems with changing the radio.  No steering wheel controls, 4.3" display, or Ford Sync not working.  Everything on the new radio worked.

 

The hard part was trying to line up the new radio with the cutout for the dash kit.  

 

 

 

 

In case it helps anyone else out, Amazon sells the installation wire harness kit, which also comes with the antenna adapter.  It works.  I used solder seal connectors, and wire loom cloth tape. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The radio that I bought was from Amazon.  Nothing special.  It offers just a little bit more than the OEM AM/FM.  I really can't expect much when the radio only cost $13.59.  The price of $67.94 is for a 5 pack.  How do they sell something like that, for that price?  I don't care.   I've got new radios in every car.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 25, 2022 by Fifty150

[Don Ridley]

The connector cost more than the radio!?

 

Good jod using the Tesa cloth tape. I love that product.

[Fifty150]

I really like that cloth tape also.  I only wish I knew about it, half a lifetime ago.  My favorite application for it is running wiring inside of motorcycle handlebars.  But that is only specific to custom Harley Davidson motorcycles.  

 

I got what I paid for.  The radio works.  The Android Auto works sometimes.  Sometimes it connects.  Sometimes it doesn't.  Sometimes the screen says that it's connecting and loading the phone data, and it stays that way until I unplug the phone.  I don't know what I can do about troubleshooting it.  Assuming my phone works.  Assuming the radio, since it's new, works.  I know that it can work.  The only thing that I can physically do about it is buy one of those USB cables made for high speed data.  At the moment, I just have a power cable for charging.  If a better cable doesn't fix it, then it's probably the radio.  Which still isn't too bad.  I can still connect via Bluetooth for hands free calling and streaming music.  The SD card and USB both play all the music and videos.  I just won't be able to use the big screen for the navigation application from the phone.  

Edited September 25, 2022 by Fifty150

[Fifty150]

10 hours ago, Don Ridley said:

The connector cost more than the radio!?

 

 

The dash kits are over $100.  That's the most expensive part.

[Fifty150]

Android Auto works sometimes.  Sometimes it doesn't.  This is a problem that happens with a lot of different phones, cars, and radios.   No real solution for making it work.  Delete the app.  Reinstall the app.  Delete the app's saved cars.  Restart the phone.  Restart the car.  Disconnect the keep alive memory of the radio.  Factory reset the radio.  Use a high speed data cable.  Unplug USB and plug in again.  

 

My guess is that with so many phones and so many radios, there must be a problem with the lines of codes.