Audio Systems: Intermittently no sound from radio, mercury sable, car stereos

Question
Tom,

So two questions I know how to remove the front panel, but where on the Sable is the actual receiver hidden? Is the voltage regulator something I can replace and fi so where cold I get the part?
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Followup To
Question -
Intermittently I am experiencing no sound from my car radio. The car is a 99 Mercury Sable it has the MACH 6 CD changer am/fm/cassette radio system. When there is not sound none of the radio controls work, I am unable to change channels either by pre-set, seek or scan. I can shut the radio off. The last station playing is displayed on the panel. I removed the dash control panel and checked all wires they are tight. I did notice when I did this the support brackett to the cassette was very warm.  I can not make the problem occur but it seems most frequest when the car is  first started for about the first 15 minutes. The problem just began and nothing had been done to the car prior to it starting.
Answer -
Kent,
The problem may be related to a faulty voltage regulator. on many of the stereos around the year such as your stereo, the voltage regulator is clipped to the rear panel of the stereo. This may be why you felt the heat on/around the bracket? If something is shorted on the circuit board it could be causing the voltage regulator to heat up. The faulty regulator may not be sending the proper operating voltage to the front panel which can cause the buttons to not function.

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS
tdeser@zoominternet.net

Answer
Kent,
To check the voltage regulator in your stereo you will need a volt meter and the service manual to show what the normal operating voltages are suppose to be. On some vehicles the stereo receiver is remotely mounted away from the control head. If you remove the control head for you stereo all you need to do is to follow the control head wire to locate the receiver box. Unless you have experience working on car stereos, your best bet is to take your stereo to a electronics repair shop to have it checked out.

TOM,
T&D ELECTRONICS