2002 Radio Problem Help Needed

[Fastcars]

2002 model the radio plays and then goes to auto mute? If I push the tuner button it will play again and then go back to auto mute. Is something turned on? Could something in the steering wheel cause this?

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[tbird]

This is something that has been asked in the past, but nobody ever gave a reply as to what caused it. I would tend to lean towards a problem in the steering wheel radio controls. Try pressing the buttons several times to see if that helps.

Old Threads-

http://forums.fordthunderbirdforum.com/threads/cd-radio-problem.3998/

http://forums.fordthunderbirdforum.com/threads/whacked-out-radio.3570/

 

[PhilD]

My cd player was messing about so I removed it entirely and fitted a basic cheap new one from walmart that is a tuner with inputs for sd cards, usb sticks and mp3 players, a lot easier I just can't use the steering wheel controls with it but no real loss.

 

[KCsBird]

2002 model the radio plays and then goes to auto mute? If I push the tuner button it will play again and then go back to auto mute. Is something turned on? Could something in the steering wheel cause this?

Fastcars...my 2002 steering wheel controls for volume did not work properly until the clockspring was replaced, never tried or had trouble with the mute though.

 

[tbird]

Fastcars...my 2002 steering wheel controls for volume did not work properly until the clockspring was replaced, never tried or had trouble with the mute though.

What trouble did you have?

 

[JW in Dixie]

Fastcars...my 2002 steering wheel controls for volume did not work properly until the clockspring was replaced, never tried or had trouble with the mute though.

I know what a clockspring in an old windup clock, but what is a clockspring in a Tbird and where is it located? Played with the radio a little more and found that sometimes the knob controls the vol and sometimes not. Must be a problem in the knob control. ?? Back in the old days I knew how to clean rheostats but now I have not a clue! Thx

 

[tbird]

It's part of the airbag system in the steering wheel. Google it.

 

[Blaine]

Where can you find an '04 replacement clock-spring for a descent price? The part was discontinued and the cheapest I've been able to find is around $330 (materials only).

 

[JW in Dixie]

More on my problem - when the radio is on the clock-spring controls work fine, but if I just TOUCH the knob it goes to max volume. Have to kill pwr and restart - works fine again. Problem has to be the rheostat, or whatever the heck they use these days. I just don't touch the knob and enjoy tunes! Good luck, Blaine

 

[hippymailman]

More on my problem - when the radio is on the clock-spring controls work fine, but if I just TOUCH the knob it goes to max volume. Have to kill pwr and restart - works fine again. Problem has to be the rheostat, or whatever the heck they use these days. I just don't touch the knob and enjoy tunes! Good luck, Blaine

same issue here. to avoid i use only the steering wheel volume control eventually going to replace with more up to date stereo

 

[PhilD]

April 2017 (last year barely) I totally upgraded the stereo system in my 2002 TBird with a unit from walmart that works really well plus has wires to attach so steering wheel controls work. The unit has a tuner, media card inputs, usb stick input plus navigation, back up camera input and (if you really want it) dvd player.

My full story on how it went in is here on this forum, hope it helps someone.

https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...-thunderbird-works-with-all-the-systems.5199/

 

[CherokeeMarty]

My cd player was messing about so I removed it entirely and fitted a basic cheap new one from walmart that is a tuner with inputs for sd cards, usb sticks and mp3 players, a lot easier I just can't use the steering wheel controls with it but no real loss.

Would you still have the original mounting brackets for the radio?

 

[edward301]

The radio that goes into auto Mute, does the display show Mute, if so I would think the
round snap disc under the Mute button may be flat, or Mute button on steering wheel
may be sticky.

The user with the touchy volume control, fix is somewhat easy but you have to remove radio
from dash, open top cover of radio and spray contact cleaner into volume control. Deoxit is
the best contact cleaner around. See picture.

 

[edward301]

Where can you find an '04 replacement clock-spring for a descent price? The part was discontinued and the cheapest I've been able to find is around $330 (materials only).

I replaced my clock spring earlier this year, bought one on ebay and was perfect fit, and works like new.

New clock spring was $177.00 delivered.

 

[JW in Dixie]

The radio that goes into auto Mute, does the display show Mute, if so I would think the
round snap disc under the Mute button may be flat, or Mute button on steering wheel
may be sticky.

The user with the touchy volume control, fix is somewhat easy but you have to remove radio
from dash, open top cover of radio and spray contact cleaner into volume control. Deoxit is
the best contact cleaner around. See picture.View attachment 2916

Thanks, I thought that would be the cure - but, how do you remove the outer panel or is the radio attached to the panel?
Ie, how do I remove the radio? Thanks

 

[BluByeU]

On the 02 first remove the curve plastic panel that joins the center stack to the shift console. Careful! it is just held in place with plastic tabs. On the 03-05 this panel is the heated seat switch panel.
Then you will see the necessary hardware to remove next to lower the climate control head down out of the way. Nothing to disconnect just let it lower itself out of the way.
Next gently remove the upper stack vent cover, it pulls away from the dash. It too is held in-place with plastic tabs so again gently is the KEY word. With this out of the upper stack you will see the remaining hardware that needs to be removed to slide the radio out. There is just barely enough slack in the harnesses to bring the radio out to get your hand back behind it to undo the radio connectors. The connectors are all different in shape & size so you can't get them mixed up if you should unplug them all.
Have fun!