‘01, Job 2, 4x4, w/167k

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Robert Vaars

Robert Vaars

Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2024
Messages
10
Reaction score
6
Location
Minneapolis MN
What engine do you have?
V6 engine
What year is your Sport Trac?
2001
What Generation is your Sport Trac?
1st Gen Owner
Hey everybody. 2nd owner, 23 years, and 167,000 miles later. Dad left it in the garage on the farm over winters, work horse in summers. It’s clean from the rocker panels up. I’ve had it in the cities for 6 months.
I have many questions!!!
For reference, mine has: 4x4, pwr driver seat/winds/locks, cruise, a/c, pwr rear wind, am/fm w/CD.
 

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    4.8 MB
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So I recently had to replace the alternator on my ‘01 Job 2. Im a cheapskate so I bought a used alternator online which was fine except for the fact that I wasn’t paying attention to the amperage factor. So I installed a used 90 amp alternator and as you’d expect it carried me for about a week before the battery completely drained. Realizing my mistake with the amperage I next bought a 130 amp re-manufactured unit from my local auto store. After installing the re-manufactured unit I drove the truck to the gas station 3 blocks from home & noticed the radio wasn’t powering up. So I messed with it for a few minutes at the station with no results. On the drive back, the display on the radio started to flicker along with the sound coming through the speakers. It seemed to be responding to the bumps and cracks on the road surface ans I drove. About a block from home the cabin filled with an overwhelming burning smell. I thought the engine caught fire! After that, no more radio, display or sound. All of the fuses in the cabin panel were fine but I went ahead & replaced 28 & 29 anyway. Still nothing. Everything else is working (windows, dash lights, dome & maps, overhead temp/directional display, etc) I feel compelled to mention that I got this truck from my dad who drove it around the farm its whole life. Never saw a snow flake! I know my dad & this radio had likely NEVER been used. If it was turned on at all it wasn’t very often & definitely not for very long. It sounded like it was brand new! The speakers are perfect (I hope they still are). Anyway what the heck happened?! I understand it’s a rarity to short out the radio but I can’t find much more info then that anywhere. The bummer is finding a new factory am/fm cd player to replace it. I’m hesitant to buy an aftermarket stereo and having it burn up too if there’s too much power being distributed to the radio wiring. I haven’t tested the wiring yet but all the function buttons are illuminated. Just not the display. Thanks for letting me ramble guys. Any thoughts?
 
Robert Vaars said:
So I recently had to replace the alternator on my ‘01 Job 2. Im a cheapskate so I bought a used alternator online which was fine except for the fact that I wasn’t paying attention to the amperage factor. So I installed a used 90 amp alternator and as you’d expect it carried me for about a week before the battery completely drained. Realizing my mistake with the amperage I next bought a 130 amp re-manufactured unit from my local auto store. After installing the re-manufactured unit I drove the truck to the gas station 3 blocks from home & noticed the radio wasn’t powering up. So I messed with it for a few minutes at the station with no results. On the drive back, the display on the radio started to flicker along with the sound coming through the speakers. It seemed to be responding to the bumps and cracks on the road surface ans I drove. About a block from home the cabin filled with an overwhelming burning smell. I thought the engine caught fire! After that, no more radio, display or sound. All of the fuses in the cabin panel were fine but I went ahead & replaced 28 & 29 anyway. Still nothing. Everything else is working (windows, dash lights, dome & maps, overhead temp/directional display, etc) I feel compelled to mention that I got this truck from my dad who drove it around the farm its whole life. Never saw a snow flake! I know my dad & this radio had likely NEVER been used. If it was turned on at all it wasn’t very often & definitely not for very long. It sounded like it was brand new! The speakers are perfect (I hope they still are). Anyway what the heck happened?! I understand it’s a rarity to short out the radio but I can’t find much more info then that anywhere. The bummer is finding a new factory am/fm cd player to replace it. I’m hesitant to buy an aftermarket stereo and having it burn up too if there’s too much power being distributed to the radio wiring. I haven’t tested the wiring yet but all the function buttons are illuminated. Just not the display. Thanks for letting me ramble guys. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Hi RV. Most likely you had a frayed power wire to the radio that shorted out. Remove the 2 nuts holding the bezel in. Disconnect the battery and pull the bezel out carefully. See if you see any burnt wiring behind the radio. Good luck with your truck.
 
Pat in RI said:
Hi RV. Most likely you had a frayed power wire to the radio that shorted out. Remove the 2 nuts holding the bezel in. Disconnect the battery and pull the bezel out carefully. See if you see any burnt wiring behind the radio. Good luck with your truck.
Click to expand...
Thank you Pat in RI. I will check that out. If your theory is correct, can I presume the radio has been irreparably damaged?
 
Robert Vaars said:
Thank you Pat in RI. I will check that out. If your theory is correct, can I presume the radio has been irreparably damaged?
Click to expand...
Hi RV. Assume nothing because you might find nothing that appears damaged. If you find bad wiring and can fix it yourself, repair it and check and secure the radio's ground wire. Then power it up and see if anything happens!!. Lots of great folks here who have replaced theirs with touch screens. It's a nice upgrade.
 
I’ve been considering an aftermarket radio but the stock radio and speakers were barely used and sounded great (to me). Stock radios aren’t all the easy to find. Upside of a stock unit is I don’t have to pay a dealership for programming and I don’t have to permanently alter the dash. Anyway none of that matters until I inspect the wiring. Thanks for your help.
 
@Robert Vaars
IMO, replacing the stock OE speakers with high quality aftermarket 6 x 8 coaxials or better will make a HUGE difference in sound quality. IIRC, the stock speakers are full range with paper cones. It was one of my first upgrades when I bought my Trac in 2009. IIRC, I replaced the fronts with Alpine 6 x 8's that dropped in, but most reputable brands such as Pioneer, Kenwood, and others would be comparable. Very easy swap removing door panels and speaker screws. I didn't replace the stock head unit because they invite and tempt theft, and I dislike alarms that seem to false at the worst times. JMO.
 
Robert Vaars said:
I’ve been considering an aftermarket radio but the stock radio and speakers were barely used and sounded great (to me). Stock radios aren’t all the easy to find. Upside of a stock unit is I don’t have to pay a dealership for programming and I don’t have to permanently alter the dash. Anyway none of that matters until I inspect the wiring. Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
One more thing, the cigarette lighter and radio are on the same circuit. I had to replace my lighter. It shorted out and killed the radio. They are simple to replace or disconnect.
 
Pat in RI said:
One more thing, the cigarette lighter and radio are on the same circuit. I had to replace my lighter. It shorted out and killed the radio. They are simple to replace or disconnect.
Click to expand...
Cigarette lighter is working fine. Like I said EVERYTHING else works. Just not the radio.
 
swshawaii said:
@Robert Vaars
IMO, replacing the stock OE speakers with high quality aftermarket 6 x 8 coaxials or better will make a HUGE difference in sound quality. IIRC, the stock speakers are full range with paper cones. It was one of my first upgrades when I bought my Trac in 2009. IIRC, I replaced the fronts with Alpine 6 x 8's that dropped in, but most reputable brands such as Pioneer, Kenwood, and others would be comparable. Very easy swap removing door panels and speaker screws. I didn't replace the stock head unit because they invite and tempt theft, and I dislike alarms that seem to false at the worst times. JMO.
Click to expand...
Thanks swshawaii. That reminds me of another reason for having the stock radio in there. I mean, I’m someone who hates to see people go without but my sympathy ends at busting up my truck and taking my stuff!! Also, I’m not an audiophile (just upgrading the speaks is a great idea) and this radio was everything I needed it to be.
Any ideas where I can find a working stock am/fm, single disk player head unit for a 2001 Sport Trac?
 
Troubleshooting automotive electrical issues is NOT one of my strengths, especially when intermittent. May be worth finding a reputable car audio store locally and pay for a diagnostic. Many stock head units were removed from these trucks, After 20+ years where they ended up is anyone's guess. If the stock head unit replacement is necessary, eBay is probably as good a source as any. Just make sure it's a compatible unit with a written eBay money back guarantee. Good luck.
 
Welcome to the site.
 
Robert Vaars said:
Thanks swshawaii. That reminds me of another reason for having the stock radio in there. I mean, I’m someone who hates to see people go without but my sympathy ends at busting up my truck and taking my stuff!! Also, I’m not an audiophile (just upgrading the speaks is a great idea) and this radio was everything I needed it to be.
Any ideas where I can find a working stock am/fm, single disk player head unit for a 2001 Sport Trac?
Click to expand...
I have a stock unit from my 04 XLT you can have for the cost of sending it to you if you find out that you need it.
 
Robert Vaars said:
Hey everybody. 2nd owner, 23 years, and 167,000 miles later. Dad left it in the garage on the farm over winters, work horse in summers. It’s clean from the rocker panels up. I’ve had it in the cities for 6 months.
I have many questions!!!
For reference, mine has: 4x4, pwr driver seat/winds/locks, cruise, a/c, pwr rear wind, am/fm w/CD.
Click to expand...
Looks like the two I have
 
Larry Holmes said:
I have a stock unit from my 04 XLT you can have for the cost of sending it to you if you find out that you need it.
Click to expand...
Hi Larry. That would be amazing! How do we get the shipping paid for? Thanks.
 
Robert Vaars said:
Hi Larry. That would be amazing! How do we get the shipping paid for? Thanks.
Click to expand...
I was just reminded tonight that my brothers step kid is a dealer rep for Ford here in the Twin Cities. He says he can get the replacement programmed for cheap if not free. So I’d be all set and extremely grateful.
 

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