2002 Taurus Radio/Defroster Problems

Hey everyone,

I am hoping someone can help me out here. Several months ago, the defroster
in my 2002 ford Taurus started acting crazy. The thing wouldn't shut off,
as it blasts out heat at the highest temperature. After this happened, the
radio started acting crazy, too. Sometimes the radio doesn't even turn on.
Other times, I can't change the station or volume. So I have been driving
around with the defroster on all of the time and radio not working well.
So, I brought the car into the dealership, and they told me I needed to get
a new radio console located in the front of the car. They recommended I go
to a junk-yard, as new consoles cost nearly one thousand dollars. So, I
went on eBay and bought one. I brought the car back to the
dealership/service center, and they tried installing it. However, the
dealership told me the console I bought didn't work, so I must have
purchased a bad one. So, I went onto eBay and again bought another one.
This time, I bought the radio removal tools with it, and sure enough, when I
tried installing it myself, I still had the same problems with the defroster
and the radio. So, I thought I would buy another one from a rather
reputable radio dealer online (this one cost me $300, versus $20 for eBay
ones). Anyway, I went to install it today, and again, it didn't work! Am I
to think there must be something else wrong with the car besides the
console? Maybe a problem in the wiring? This is SOOOOO frustrating,
considering I spent money for the service center to originally diagnose the
problem, spent money on the 3 replacement radios, and spent money to have
the service center attempt to the install the first radio I bought on eBay.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum!

Does your Taurus have the Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC)? If so, you can attempt to invoke the EATC self test.

-Rod

Does your Taurus have the Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC)?
Yes this is what we need to know. In other words, does it have 3 dials on the bottom, or is it all pushbuttons with one of them saying 'Auto'?

Off hand it sounds like there's an open circuit somewhere. If you remove the radio it should turn on all the way too. You may have a separate problem with the radio (two problems not one).

Hey, it has the "auto" button...on the bottom.

I actually called Ford and spoke to the service manager. He had me bring the car in, and even picked up the cost of a rental for the next day or so while they figure out what is wrong with it.

I should have mentioned, when I did take the radio out myself, I noticed the wiring looked like it had a problem with it. There was a piece of tape on one of the wires....so weird. ANyway, it is back in their hands now, so hopefully they can figure out the problem. I am guessing it is a blown fuse or something. When I brought the car in originally, they told me the actual radio piece (in the trunk) was fine, so that is why I was only into replacing the console (as told by the service agent).

It's nice when you get a good service manager like that. If you recently bought the car and there is tape on the wire(s) then someone probably tried to hook something up to the stereo. Do you remember what color the wire was? Let us know how it turns out for you :)

I think the tape was on a black wire, but I could be wrong. Haven't heard from them today, so maybe tomorrow will bring some new news.

Thanks!

Update,

After two days, the service center called to tell me that the car was now fixed. They said it took them 4 hours to fix the wiring; however, they did not charge me a single penny more for any of the work. I appreciated that, and will continue to bring my car back there for service.

Glad you got it all sorted. Looks like you found a good dealer :)

Glad you got it all sorted. Looks like you found a good dealer :)
I have the same problem with my car same trim and hvac controlls

I have the same problem with my car same trim and hvac controlls
Welcome to the forum!

I'd suggest that you first perform the EATC self-test. I used the excellent search feature of this forum and searched for "EATC test." One hit that may prove useful is at
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=456268&page=2&highlight=EATC+test

-Rod