rousu

I have a loose wire or connector in back of the head unit; it drops sound until I press on the face or hit another bump.
I rigged up coat-hanger wires to pull the head, and it works, but...
1) the shifter for the automatic sticks up in the way, especially if you want the ignition off. Is there a trick to get it out of the way?
2) The head unit wires in back are short, and I am reluctant to pull/rip too hard. Is there an easy way in the FD to push the harness out further, or to unplug the connectors and antenna before the head unit is clear of the dash?
3) Would it be any help to remove the CD unit first?
4) Did some head units come with a volume **** that does not toggle in/out for the off/on function? How do they turn on and off?
5) Has anybody rigged up a balance control for left/right and front/back-bass and maybe center speaker? It seems this might correct for tired right and center speakers that now seem out of balance.
6) Is this already in another topic or FAQ? thanks

rousu

Maybe somebody replaces a broken **** on the other unit, and thereby camaflauged the on/off push/pull toggle, but I cannot see how the **** can be removed. Is it just a friction hard pull? Or is there a more clever, less damaging trick to get it off?

maxpesce

I'll try to answer some questions-

1- Turn key ON move shifter to L then turn key to off. The key should go to the OFF position BUT not to LOCK so you will not be able to remove the key.
2- D/K
3- I would say YES - you may be able to reach in over the head unit to disconect the harnes w/ the CD removed. (just guessing have not done this myself)
4- Not that I know of afik all the head units were the same.
5- the BOSE system is a 2.5 channel system - Left /Right/+ Subwofer(Bose Tube) The center channel is synthesized from the L&R inputs to the ctr amp. the stock head unit does have L/R Balance control built in (outer wheel around on/off Volume control) and Trebble + Bass controls (pop out ***** below the on/off Volume control)
6-D/K

rousu

OK, I found the time and inclination to attack this yesterday!!!
The main problem seems to be that the ground was being provided intermittantly; I installed a ground wire to the head unit chassis (bolted the other end under the bold that shows under the driver's knee panel) and put in a diconnect. No radio dropouts since, though it has not bee that long.
Other discoveries:
1) there does not seem to be any left-right balance on the unit in my 3rd gen car; though I do not know if it is the original unit
2) Sombody had modified the antenna wiring on my head unit; there were not double antenna plugs to support the diversity antenna system; looked like somebody had rigged up a provision for just one antenna plug, and if there was another connector, I could not see it. It does get decent reception, just do not know if the diversity system is working.
3) The darn cable for the left connection is awfully short, and had very little response to trying to extend it.
4) The darn rubber piocchio stabilizing probes on the back were a) bent colliwops on the CD deck, and missing on the head unit; methinks a gentler less shocky ride might result from fixing and correctly nesting these shock noses if you work on one
5) Question: since the unit removes with a Ford tool, are the removable decor strips available elsewhere too?