QuestionI just purchased a 2003 Ford Focuses with the Blankrupt single CD player Stereo(Part 7642310310) have been giving me trouble. During station setting the car radio comes on and goes off in approximately 3 second intervals. None of the buttons will work on the stereo including the on/off button. When the car is shut off, it continues to go on and off even though the key has been pulled from the ignition. We have tried fuses, checked the wiring. Ford had the radio replaced because they said it was bad. After replacing with exact model, new, the same thing occurred while setting the same location, middle right side. To me it seems more like a power problem, or a switch problem. Have you heard of this problems with Focus radios. Any ideas?
AnswerThe Ford factory radio issue (Focus or not).
I presume you mean Blaupunkt (It is a German brandname that (translated) means Blue Dot. 20 years ago, their technology stood out, but I would go and get myself a Clarion headunit, these days.
Ford has had lots of problems since I have been doing car audio (1977).
By your own testimony, they told you the deck was bad, replaced it, and it still does the same thing.
Ford is the problem (and over 35,000 Ford employees taking retirement buyouts is testimony to that).
As to ideas, I have a couple that will give great results:
The best idea I could tell you is to get a different vehicle [and one NOT made by Ford].
The next best idea would be to get an aftermarket radio and do NOT use a factory wiring adaptor kit.
Instead, fuse and route the power wires manually from the fusebox. Use the vehicles' chassis for the headunit grounding point. Factory speaker wires can probably be used since it is only a few years old, but ideally, they should be replaced as well.
JM
