In 2006, Ford released a new mid-size vehicle, the Fusion, something it hadn’t done since the Taurus arrived in 1986 -- the Taurus later grew into a full-size model. In 2010, the Fusion received a drastic redesign, giving it a sportier appearance. The 2010 Fusion came standard with an AM-FM stereos system with a CD player, and had a wide array of other audio options available. Replacing the radio in the 2010 Fusion is rather unorthodox, as it has a two-piece system: a set of controls and a separate audio control module, which acts as the radio.
Turn the ignition to the “Run” position and engage the parking brake. Place the gear shifter into the “Neutral” position and turn the ignition to the “Off” position. Pry upward around the perimeter of the shifter bezel -- the plastic trim around the shifter -- with a flat-head screwdriver to disengage its retaining clips, then remove the bezel.
Pry upward around the perimeter of the floor console finish panel -- the large decorative panel covering the entire top of the floor console -- with a flat-head screwdriver to release its retaining clips. Remove the floor console finish panel.
Remove the utility tray -- the small storage compartment on the front of the floor console -- by prying it upward with a flat-head screwdriver to disengage its retaining clips, then pulling it from the floor console. Disconnect the power outlet wiring harness by pressing and holding the unlocking button while pulling the harness from the rear of the outlet. Set the utility tray aside.
Adjust the driver’s seat as far back as it will go. Look under the driver’s side of the dashboard with a flashlight and find the nut securing the upper dashboard storage compartment -- the nut is located near the top of the dashboard, directly under the storage compartment. Remove this nut with a ratchet, 6-inch extension and a socket.
Pull the rubber mat from the upper dashboard storage compartment and remove the two upper screws with a ratchet and socket. Pry the upper storage compartment toward the rear of the Fusion to disengage its five retaining clips, and lift it upward until you can access the wiring on its rear, if equipped. Press and hold the unlocking button on the wiring harness -- if equipped -- and pull the harness from the storage compartment.
Remove the two screws securing the top of the radio bezel -- the plastic trim surrounding the radio and climate controls -- with a ratchet and socket. Pry around the perimeter of the radio bezel to disengage its retaining clips. Press and hold the unlocking button on each wiring harness, and pull each wiring harness from the bezel.
Pull the radio bezel from the dashboard. Notice that the controls for the radio come off with the bezel; the audio control module -- radio -- is the metal box behind the controls.
Remove the four screws securing the ACM in the dashboard with a ratchet and socket, and slide the ACM out just far enough to reach the wiring on its rear. Press and hold the unlocking button on each of the wiring harnesses plugged into the rear of the ACM, then pull each wiring harness from the ACM. Unplug the antenna wire from the ACM and pull the ACM from the vehicle.
Connect the wiring harnesses into their respective receptacles on the rear of the ACM and plug the antenna lead into its receptacle. Slide the ACM into its chassis in the dashboard, then tighten the four ACM-retaining screws with a ratchet and socket.
Plug the wiring harnesses into their respective receptacles on the rear of the radio bezel; they are all different sizes to prevent confusion. Line up the clips on the rear of the radio bezel with the slots in the dashboard and press the bezel back into place on the dashboard.
Tighten the two upper radio bezel-retaining screws with a ratchet and socket.
Plug the wiring harness into the receptacle on the rear of the upper dashboard storage compartment -- if equipped -- and line up the retaining clips on the rear of the storage compartment with the slots in the dashboard. Press the upper storage compartment toward the front of the Fusion to snap the retaining clips into place.
Tighten the two screws to secure the upper dashboard storage compartment into place. From under the driver’s side of the dashboard, hand-tighten the nut onto the stud on the bottom of the upper storage compartment, then torque it to 5 foot-pounds with a torque wrench, 6-inch extension and a socket. Set the rubber mat back into place inside the upper storage compartment.
Plug the wiring harness into the receptacle on the rear of the power outlet on the utility tray. Slide the utility tray into its cavity in the floor console and press it downward to engage its retaining clips.
Line up the clips on the rear of the floor console finish panel with the slots in the floor console. Press the finish console downward to lock its retaining clips into place.
Set the gear shifter bezel back into place around the shifter, lining up its retaining clips with the slots in the floor console. Press the shifter bezel downward to lock it into place. Place the gear shifter back into “Park.”
Drive the Fusion to a local Ford dealership to have their service department activate the replacement radio. This process requires a special tool and software, so only the dealership can complete it.
