Stock radio question

[XBananaFishX]

Hi
Recnetly bought my 99 couger v6 ( 3 days ago yayy!!). Well long story short i knew the radio wasn't working. I was planning on replacing it. Upon reading an old issue of Road and track featuring the couger 99, i discovered that i'm missing number 2-5 the removable security feature i'm guessing. I tried searching for threads on this and could not find what i'm looking for.

_ does anyone know if this is obtainable from ford or somewhere? and how much i should be looking to fork over for it? Or am i out of luck :confused:

[Moraki]

Hummm ya i got that stock radio still .... yes your missing the removable section. You might be able to buy that part of some one thats removed the stock stereo. The whole radio sells for cheap long as you dont ask the dealer for it heh.

[Knight]

Hi!

If you're talking about the removable buttons used for the presets I think I saw some on Ebay in the past...

Good luck!

Nick

[Knight]

I think we can't post links to Ebay auctions so I won't do it but if you do as search for "ford security strip" you should have at least one match which SEEMS to be a suitable replacement...

BTW, they do list a part number, 98AP-18K846-BB, so you might want to check with a dealer first...

Good luck!

Nick

[XBananaFishX]

thanks..
If i buy the removable section off someone with the stock one, will it work on mine? has anyone tried it? Or do i need a radio code ect ect, or is it as easy as i hope and i just plug it in to the slot? ok ima do that ebay search now

[Knight]

I don't know...

If you know somebody else who has a Cougar (or maybe if you could meet some people in your NECO chapter) you might want to test if it works or not...

The auction I saw on Ebay suggested that it would work and I believe they offer the possibility of getting a refund but I think you'll lose the S&H you paid to have it shipped and the shipping you paid to ship it back if it doesn't work.

You could also ask the dealer at the same time you inquire for the price...

Good luck!

Nick

[Knight]

I'm not sure whether this is good news or bad news...

The CD refers to an audio unit key code which is needed when you install the radio but is that needed for all models, I don't know...

The manual of my '00 says:

Replacement panels:

Your dealer will require the following if you need to order a replacement panel:

1. Your name and address.

2. The Vehicle Identification Number (visible on a plate mounted in the engine compartment).

3. The audio unit type (e.g. 4500, 4600).

4. Proof of identification (e.g. driver's license, identity card).

5. A vehicle invoice (if the audio unit was installed in the vehicle prior to delivery) or a parts invoice if the audio unit was purchased separately from the vehicle, or an appropriate vehicle registration document.



The vehicle (original) invoice might be hard to provide but if car registrations where you live work like here you probably have a suitable registration document you could show them...

Good luck!

Nick

[XBananaFishX]

Thank ...thank you thank...
I've owned my couger 3 days so i havent inquired about that at the dealer yet.
question yet again... if i happen to find a junked coug, and i want to check audio unit type where would that show...might be a stupid Q but i bought my car at an auction so no books yikes!!

[Knight]

Hi!

My guess is it's somewhere on the unit itself...

My manual suggest that 4500 and 4700 are without cd player (though they say it supports an (external) one) while 4600 is with CD player but there might be others...

If you register on https://secure.mercuryvehicles.com/owners/ you should be able to get a PDF manual for your vehicle but I can't verify that as the site is for U.S. citizens and I'm from Canada so unless I enter phony infos I won't be able to register...

[I have a paper copy of my manual and the PDF version of the same manual for my '00 which I THINK I downloaded from there before they required people to register...]

Good luck!

Nick

[XBananaFishX]

thanks Nick!!
I seem to be Canadian too. Are 99's not the same as 00's? I would apreciate if you help a country man out and somehow send me the PDF version?

[skater]

Have you considered just buying an aftermarket deck? I'm not sure the stock deck is worth spending time and money on, and you can get a reasonably decent head unit for $150 or less. You might get that key programmed correctly and installed and discover the head unit still doesn't work...

[Knight]

Hi!

thanks Nick!!
I seem to be Canadian too. Are 99's not the same as 00's? I would apreciate if you help a country man out and somehow send me the PDF version?

They are all pretty similar but you are right that '99 and '00 are more or less the same car just like '01 and '02 are about more or less the same car too...

From what I've read some of the differences the '99s have with other years are that:

- rear disc brakes were standard equipment (wish I had them on my '00 :( )
- The fuel system was somewhat different (return vs returnless) depending on when they were produced.
- apparently there was a different relay box I think...

and probably a few other things...

The manual is POSSIBLY the same though though I can't say for sure... The PDF copy I have doesn't identify the years covered (but I don't think the "real" manual does either, the year is only mentionned on the cover and the PDF manual doesn't have a "cover").

I tried contacting Ford Canada and the response I got was that they don't have downloadable copies (the email even seem to suggest paper copies) :banghead: so I guess it's not available from them so if you give me your email address I'll see what I can do... :tongue:

Have a nice day!

Nick

[Knight]

Hi!

Have you considered just buying an aftermarket deck? I'm not sure the stock deck is worth spending time and money on, and you can get a reasonably decent head unit for $150 or less. You might get that key programmed correctly and installed and discover the head unit still doesn't work...

That's another possibility depending on how much he wants to invest (deck + adapters (to make it fit there and the cables) and possibly speakers)...

I do have a question though, how good/bad are the stock speakers? Do we need to change them if we go with an aftermarket deck (I guess it depends on how powerful the deck is but what is too powerful for them)?

Thanks and have a nice day!

Nick

[james99]

I do have a question though, how good/bad are the stock speakers? Do we need to change them if we go with an aftermarket deck (I guess it depends on how powerful the deck is but what is too powerful for them)?

Thanks and have a nice day!

Nick


ive had an aftermarket deck in my car since the second day i got it and the stock speakers are ok. they arent distorting or anything so i guess theyre still holding up.

[skater]

Yeah, I think the stock speakers will handle normal power levels without a major problem. They're just very muddy; even a cheap set of aftermarket speakers will be a major improvement. Even the stock speakers in my Impala were better than the Cougar's stock speakers.

I strongly recommend upgrading the speakers first if you're on a budget - even with the factory head unit, you won't regret getting aftermarket speakers. And it's not hard to do - I swapped mine in an hour or an hour and a half.

[Knight]

Thanks guys!

So I guess what this means is that if you want to improve the audio system of your Cougar you can upgrade the deck or the speakers or both and upgrading the deck doesn't necessary mean you have to upgrade the speakers since they seem to hold up even with a better deck (at least at normal power levels).

Have a nice day!

Nick

[ducttapepro03]

If it helps i have an 01 cd player listed on ebay... if your looking to just replace the whole thing... it has that removable strip thing your talking about. But i bet your not willing to buy the whole darn unit eh? If your interested pm me.

[Knight]

Hi!

If it helps i have an 01 cd player listed on ebay... if your looking to just replace the whole thing... it has that removable strip thing your talking about. But i bet your not willing to buy the whole darn unit eh? If your interested pm me.

I saw him post (http://newcougar.org/forums/showthread.php?t=89610) in his chapter (Ontario) asking if someone was willing to sell him that security strip and I don't believe he has bought one yet...

I have a feeling though that shipping the whole cd player to Canada would be relatively costly but I could be wrong...

Have a nice day!

Nick

[XBananaFishX]

sorry about my lack of replies forgot i posted here LOL...
Ok i dont want the whole thing, i just want the security strip for now so i can listen to something .. A friend actually told me the sound system was good in the cougers. I dont need the best because i have some other priorities on my coug, like rims and minor dent removal. after that comes the sound system for me.
Thanks for the input everyone.. i'm still searching for the strip though. Ebay is a definite option but i'd like to see if i can obtain one without pating the shipping fee. I'll check with ford monday, and maybe phone some junk yards. might get it cheap there if i can find one

[XBananaFishX]

by the way nick other fellow NECO members already sent me the pdf thanks though

[Knight]

by the way nick other fellow NECO members already sent me the pdf thanks though

No prob...

Have a nice day!

Nick

[ducttapepro03]

sorry about my lack of replies forgot i posted here LOL...
Ok i dont want the whole thing, i just want the security strip for now so i can listen to something .... Ebay is a definite option but i'd like to see if i can obtain one without pating the shipping fee.


One of my friends might have one(strip thingy) laying around come to think of it... i'll see if she does and will give/sell the strip and i'll see if i can get it to you. I'm always up for a road trip to canada :biggrin: well maybe not in winter come to think of it. Anyway! I'll see what i can do for you and let you know if i get a hold of one.

[XBananaFishX]

One of my friends might have one(strip thingy) laying around come to think of it... i'll see if she does and will give/sell the strip and i'll see if i can get it to you. I'm always up for a road trip to canada :biggrin: well maybe not in winter come to think of it. Anyway! I'll see what i can do for you and let you know if i get a hold of one.

Yea nuff respect if you can get it to me :bowdown: . I'm willing to pay shipping or what not. as long as its for the 4600 radio.
These things are hard to find lol

[ducttapepro03]

I saw her at school last night and took a peek at her radio and it appears to be the older style with the cd and tape deal but no removable buttons :confused: sorry

[kemartin57]

A while back I bought a 6 Disk, in dash Ford Stereo off eBay for <$70 including shipping. It's the easiest thing in the world to replace! I'll check around tonight to see if I kept the old unit, but I think that it was broken and I threw it out.