OEM Marauder Radio Tuner

[Hg M75]

Years ago I had "upgraded" the radio in my CV to the MM radio and installed the OE sub-woofer and door and rear deck to the premium OE speakers. I'm happy with the sound but like most OE MM radios my radio tuner has now gone out. I saw someone mention the "heat gun trick" to wake up the tuner for brief time but I can't seem to figure out exactly what that is or what needs to be done. Also does anyone have a picture of exactly what goes out on these? I read it is simply a bad solder that can be fixed but again I would need a picture of what is the issue. I would like to get this one fixed either by me or by a professional (no I'm not swapping it for an Escape radio). Thanks!

[NickT02LS]

I have a good working OEM radio if you want. $50 olus shipping

[Hg M75]

I'll keep ya posted. My only worry is that by replacing it I'll eventually run into the same issue that I have now. I have a local radio place that repairs OEM radios, I may just go that route to fix the issue permanently. Thanks, and I'll let ya know.

[Mass Marauder]

I would like to buy your radio if he doesn't.

[Hg M75]

I have decided to replace the OEM radio with an OEM CD6 which still powers the sub and works with steering wheel controls. The jam I've run into is the new OEM radio will not snap in. I've read other post where others have said just push hard. I feel like I've pushed as had as possible and it still will not snap in, its gets very close but no luck. I'm certain it is the harness jamming me up. Can someone post a pic of how the harness is supposed to be sitting in the radio cavity?

[TORINO]

An answer to this question would be good. I put one in one of my 03MM and it clipped in. Then swapped into my 04MM and it will not clip in just gets real close. I worked with it and can see no reason why it does not clip in. But it sits there solid without popping out while driving.

[NickT02LS]

I had to switch over the bracket in the rear of the radio with my original one, i had same issue then realized the bracket that guides radio into another bracket in dash was different

[Hg M75]

Are you talking about the bracket furthest to the rear of the radio, which appears to be a screw/bolt with a rubber gasket on it?

UPDATE:
Y'all are amazing. I immediately went down, took my CD6 out, unscrewed the screw and rubber stopper on the back. Plugged it all back in and it snapped right into place! This is what I took off and was casing it not to slide all the way back and click into place.
52622

[NickT02LS]

Glad it worked, it did feel like you mentioned like hitting the wiring harnes, took me like 3 or 4 times before I found thay was different than my original

[88LTDCV351]

Many years ago I sent my OEM radio to a place called Radios United or something like that. I'd have to check. Has worked great ever since.

[Hg M75]

I have heard of them as well. I have my OEM Marauder head unit at my local radio shop. They returned it to me once claiming it was fixed. I plugged it in and the AM/FM tuner was working however there was no bass, I also noticed the clock was missing and the DSP no longer functioned. I'm assuming they swapped out the tuner from an '03 Crown Vic (hence no clock and no DSP) to get the turner working but but doing that I lost all the other functions. I took it back and am waiting to see what happens now. If they can't fix it may I'll contact United Radio.

[SAH62]

I sent mine to United Radio (https://www.unitedradio.com/) today. Some shops repair these units by replacing the damaged circuit board instead of repairing the damaged solder joints, but I was told today by a different shop I've used in the past that the replacement part for the tuner issue is no longer available. United confirmed that they could fix my radio. If you call United, be prepared to give them the engineering number that's marked on your radio chassis. They use that number to confirm their ability to do the repairs.

[Hg M75]

Great information! Did they give you a price on the repair? Just curious.

[SAH62]

Great information! Did they give you a price on the repair? Just curious.

$225 and they cover UPS shipping both ways.

[Hg M75]

Nice! I am waiting for them to see if they can figure mine out first if not I'll get a refund and send it up. Thanks for the info!

[SAH62]

Sigh, I just got a call from United Radio. They can't repair the tuner problem any more for the reason I mentioned above: the damaged integrated circuit is no longer available.

[justbob]

Sigh, I just got a call from United Radio. They can't repair the tuner problem any more for the reason I mentioned above: the damaged integrated circuit is no longer available.

I’ll check the garage over the weekend, if I find it, it’s yours. No promises, but I rarely throw away perfectly working things.

Plenty of good ones like mine laying around from head unit upgrades from years past.


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[SAH62]

Thank you, that's very generous! I'm definitely interested if you (or anyone else) has one available.

[Hg M75]

Oh man I'm bummed about that, I had high hopes. I mean these are pushing 20 years old and in a time when repairing old stuff is the way of the past. Damn shame.

On a side not I ended up installing a CD6 radio from an +05 in my car while waiting for my Marauder radio to be "fixed". The part number is 8W7T-18C815-AA and it works with the sub and steering wheel controls. You will lose the trunk CD changer but you have a 6 disc in the dash now which is more convenient in my opinion. It's a nice sounding radio I must say.

[justbob]

Sorry man, looks like I tossed it when I upgraded.


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[SAH62]

I found a shop that can still repair the OE radio tuner: Original Car Audio in Burnsville, MN (https://www.cd4car.com/). They also advertise on eBay. Current cost is $299 plus shipping both ways.

They just repaired mine. The technician I spoke with told me the IC needed to repair the tuner is available, it's just more expensive than it used to be.

[Hg M75]

Well this is great news, thanks for the update and I'm glad we found a work around. Is this worth posting as a sticky somewhere so the folks that want to keep the MM original can easily find it?

[fastblackmerc]

Why not upgrade to amn aftermarket head units? Bluetooth, NAV (on some), can be integrated to use the steering wheel controls), can play music off a USB or Micro SD card, backup camera, etc.

[SAH62]

Why not upgrade to amn aftermarket head units? Bluetooth, NAV (on some), can be integrated to use the steering wheel controls), can play music off a USB or Micro SD card, backup camera, etc.

I prefer to keep my low-mileage car as original as possible. If you're open to aftermarket modifications, sure, other options are available.

[Hg M75]

Here is the latest on my efforts to fix my radio. I dropped it off and about a few weeks later they called and said it was fixed. I picked it up and noticed I had no bass (sub), the DSP button didn't work and my clock was gone but my AM/FM was working. I suspect they swapped the board out with a similar style radio from an '03 Crown Vic as the clock was missing. I returned it and told them the new problems and the said they'd fix it. I picked it up last week and the sub was back, the DSP was working and my clock was back and AM/FM was still working. I thought everything was good....until I turned on my headlights and the display did not dim nor did the buttons light up. I figured this time they swapped it with a Town Car board because the features work but the Town Car provides the dimmer input in a different way than the Crown vic/MM/MGM. So I sent it back once again. I'm beginning to wonder how this will play out. I almost feel like having them return it to its original state (if possible) refund me and I'll send it off to Original Car Audio for repairs.

[BadFord]

Does anyone know which OE Ford model 6 disc in dash will fit, and use the the steering wheel controls / speakers and sub?

[mustangeddie]

Does anyone know which OE Ford model 6 disc in dash will fit, and use the the steering wheel controls / speakers and sub?
The Explorer/Mariner Audiophile is a popular swap but a lot of the OE 6 disc radios from 05-07 with 3 plugs on the back will work.

[Hg M75]

Does anyone know which OE Ford model 6 disc in dash will fit, and use the the steering wheel controls / speakers and sub?

Yes, get part number 8W7T-18C815-AA. This has the clock, works with the sub, works with steering wheel controls, has 6 disc in the dash, but will not operator your trunk cd changer if you have one. I have this radio in my CV now while waiting on my OE unit to be repaired. It sounds great and works as it should, aside from losing the trunk cd changer control.

[Hg M75]

I finally resolved this issue, for those still tuned in. After over a year of trying to fix the issue the radio shop eventually had me a refurbished unit sent to me from....United Radio.

[Turbov6Bryan]

That escape radio would have been a good choice in the future, glad you finally got yours replaced.