Ford Premium radio buttons

Discussion in 'Electrical' started by onlyme, Feb 5, 2012.

  1. onlyme

    onlyme New Member

    I been searching for an answer, but haven't found one yet, or possibly accidentally overlooked it. I have an 01 Sport with the Premium dual media radio, and have a problem. Some of the radio button lights will not light up, everything else works perfect, display everything. I did a lot of reading, this is not the Mach model with the RDS button, with the light issues.

    It's just the regular Premium dual media unit shown below, but the AM/FM, Seek, Tune, and Rew buttons do not light as the rest of the radio does. I know from searching though the Premium, and Mach unit look similar they are different internally. Has anyone took 1 of these apart is there bulbs behind the faceplate, or leds? I can't afford a new radio right now, so only option is repair it if I can, thanks.

    [​IMG]
     
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  3. I'm assuming the buttons work, right? Because I had this problem with one or two of mine and the buttons didn't work.
     
  4. OP
    onlyme

    onlyme New Member

    Yeah all of the buttons work as they should, and it plays fine as well, just those few buttons won't light up at night, as all the rest do.
     
  5. Yeah, then your bulbs are just burnt. (Obviously lol) I know a buddy of mine somehow popped them off and got at the lights that way, but I'm not positive on how you would do that. I would suggest sending a PM to Buggman and asking him. He's real good with this type of thing.
     
  6. OP
    onlyme

    onlyme New Member

    Thanks, I will probably eventually take the dive and take it apart and see if I can fix it, if not, oh well I can upgrade later.
     
  7. El Camino Man

    El Camino Man Thank The Lord For BBFs!

    Personally, Id go to a pull-a-part and get ya a Mach 500 w/ 6 cd changer lol
     
  8. pooleo

    pooleo New Member

    they are surface mount LED's. The can be changed but require soldering.
     
  9. OP
    onlyme

    onlyme New Member

    Yeah I kind of figured that either the leds quit working, or loose or broken soldering connections that has caused the issue to start with.
     
  10. Scrambler82

    Scrambler82 Old Guy User

    There are a couple of write-ups on the Rangers Sites that show the PCB for the front panel and yes you will need a little finesse to get the old ones off without damaging the PCB mounting tabs.

    This is the front panel removed on a CD6.
    [​IMG]

    Then you take the PCB out, watch out for the rubber membrane.
    [​IMG]

    Then you get here.
    Every white dot is an LED, you will need to determine which is which and replace them, simple.
    [​IMG]
     
  11. OP
    onlyme

    onlyme New Member

    Yeah I kinda figured it be like that, but I never really known an led to burn out before, but I guess it's possible, I was thinking it be more a solder connection problem.
     
  12. Scrambler82

    Scrambler82 Old Guy User

    I have seen a lot of LEDs go bad but usually soldering is the case, poor soldering methods, solder flow, etc.
    You might take the front end apart and re-solder the LEDs that are giving you trouble, might do it.

    luck
     
  13. OP
    onlyme

    onlyme New Member

    Yeah I'm leaning towards a soldering connection because it was like that when got the vehicle, but then there was a short period it mysteriously worked, then went back to the way it was.
     
  14. Scrambler82

    Scrambler82 Old Guy User

    If you do re-solder the LEDs, use a liquid flux on the joint before heating and clean it off well when done.
    Paste flux doesn't work as well on surface mount components.
    Use a hotter soldering iron for a faster solder melt BUT do not heat the board too long, it can damage the lands.

    Sorry, I am responding as if you have never done this before and I do not one way or the other.
    Good luck.
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2012
  15. OP
    onlyme

    onlyme New Member

    Oh yeah I understand I have soldered before, but thanks for the tip.
     

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