Hi everybody

I have had a '04 Freestar that recently developed a problem with the radio/DVD player. A few days ago my wife told me her radio and DVD player didn't work at all.

I reviewed the owners manuel and then checked the fuses that it indicated were related, they both appeared OK. Later on my son (age 36) came over and rechecked the fuses, along with some under the hood, but he said they all looked ok to him also.

He asked if we had done anything different recently with the '04 and I remembered that I had jumped another van with the '04 recently but I didn't know if that damaged them.

Anyway, he removed the radio from the van (5 minute job) and is going to have somebody test to see if the radio is shot. (It is my therory that since the radio feeds the dvd player, the dvd player may be ok, and that the radio is bad and therefore not sending info or power back to the dvd player).

I guess my question is does anyone have any thoughts on this? I know since I had recently jumped that other van that it sorts of points to that as the problem but I am unsure if that is just coincidental.

 

It may be coincidental, however...

Since Ford uses a proprietary software to transmit information via PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) across the vehicle's ground system. Thus, when jump starting a vehicle you need to place the fan in both the JUMPER and JUMPEE vehicle on the "HIGH" position to elimiate any type of voltage spike that can and will kill the electronic components in Ford vehicles. A simple relay without a surge supressing diode can produce a 300-500 volt spike. I suspect the radio took a hit. Which if thats the case, consider yourself lucky. A radio is cheaper than any of the modules that could have been spiked.

 

Thanks for the imput although things don't look so good here.

I replaced the radio with a OEM radio and there is still no sign of life. You had mentioned that if it wasn't the fuses and it wasn't the radio then it was probably a module. Yikes! It is starting to look like that must be the problem I guess.

Is it time I bought a repair book for this van and start looking for modules or would you suggest I bite the bullet and take it to a Ford dealership?

Also, I wonder if there are other shops out there like Best But or whatnot that would take a look at this. I might be wasting time and money though taking it to a Best Buy or comparible shop now since I have elimated the radio as the sourse of the problem. Probably all they would do is confirm that it is not the radio.

Any suggestions would be greatley appreaited.

 

Were the fuses checked and then double checked in both fuse panels by EYE BALLING or was a meter used? I've seen fuses that looked OK, but metered bad and were bad because they didn't blow in the center like most do. I use a VOM for fuses as I've pulled my hair on what I call CHASING DUCKS because a fuse looked good. Fuse #10, fuse #56 (premium radio) and fuse #59 (non-premium radio) are primary feeds for the radio from the fuse panel under the hood. Then you have fuse #5 under the dash. Does your rear windows and passenger window open and close OK? If not, check fuse #10 under the hood. If they work OK, then look at fuse # 56 and 59 for starters since they are in the primary panel and would get HIT first.

 

Hey, great news! The radio and DVD player are working again on the van!!

You hit the nail squarely on the head when you said to go back over the fuses. I replaced the radio fuse and all is good again :^)

Strange that the fuse appeared good but was in fact really bad. Anyway, thanks again for hanging in there and answering my questions. Very kind of you!!

 

Just back from a week long jog to Mesa, AZ. Glad to hear all is well. Love my Freestar