Car stereo wiring and interchange

[tixer]

I made a little discovery today. Dad had been complaining about the flaky power button on the stereo of his '97 F-150 XLT. It won't always stick "in" and turn off as it should.

So this will look like a "truck" post, but it pertains pretty nicely to the 2nd Gen Marks. Hang in there.

We have a write-up on this button issue on the forum, but I don't have time to address it yet. Luckily, I still had the original stereo out of my '97 Mark VIII, which looked suspiciously similar.



With the exception of the additional "Clock" button on the F-150 stereo, and the Lincoln emblem on the tape door, they're the same.

Same connectors (F-150 on the bottom, Mark VIII on the top)



Similar Model numbers (Mark VIII unit is at the bottom, I think)



Everything plugged right in. Everything works correctly. Balance, Fader, even the factory (6 disc) CD changer works as it should.



Although if memory serves, the changer in the truck uses a different connector than our Marks do.. Here's the truck connector.

 

[1998MarkVIII]

Aux port or bluetooth on CD changer port?

Thank you for this post Mike,
I have been looking at an Auxiliary input to the stereo. I read somewhere that I could connect an iPerfect adapter to the CD changer port.

I found this one on Amazon. will this work?
https://www.amazon.com/iPerfect-Radio16pin-Connector-Expedition-Freestyle/dp/B017LQTEN4

I plan to run an AUX connector to the center console (ashtray or cup holder) and to put in a Bluetooth receiver under the dash.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019BR0QMY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

What do you think?
Y.

 

[tixer]

This was the big thing I was thinking about when I posted this. Most sites claim that there is no adapter for the Mark. But.. if the adapter is compatible with a '97 F-150, and connects to the back of the head unit, rather than at the changer, I sure think it would work.

- - - Updated - - -

I've definitely considered the Bluetooth receiver idea. I've used one at home for a while now with some success. I think it's worth a shot, that's for sure.

 

[1998MarkVIII]

Thanks Mike,
Would you please look at the CD changer socket on the unit you have on the shelf and compare it to the picture above.

Thanks,
Y

 

[tixer]

Thanks Mike,
Would you please look at the CD changer socket on the unit you have on the shelf and compare it to the picture above.

Thanks,
Y

I won't be able to for a few days, as I'm out at the Carlisle show in PA . I'll try to take a look once i get back. At a glance though, it does look about right

 

[1998MarkVIII]

Thanks Mike,

 

[1998MarkVIII]

Hello All,
I finally received my iPerfect connector (https://www.amazon.com/iPerfect-Radio16pin-Connector-Expedition-Freestyle/dp/B017LQTEN4 ) and it does not have the correct connectors. The radio's CD connector is much smaller.

Does anyone have the pin-out of this connector?

Thanks,
Y

 

[Bangster]

 

[1998MarkVIII]

AUX Input

Hello All,
Here is a quick update.
I have returned the iPerfect connector and bought the PIE FRDF-AUX 95-98 Ford Auxiliary Input Converter
https://www.amazon.com/PIE-FRDF-AUX-95-98-Auxiliary-Converter/dp/B000K4V2F8

split this to allow 3 inputs

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HD0MWQO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

I have run wires to:
* passenger foot-well
* 2 to the ashtray

I have attached a bluetooth receiver to one of these leads.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019BR0QMY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

I have not yet tested the bluetooth...

Y.

 

[driller]

Please follow up and let us know how this works. I would prefer this solution to the cassette adapter for my iPod in the CE.

 

[1998MarkVIII]

Hi JP,
The PIE FRDF-AUX 95-98 Ford Auxiliary Input Converter plugs in between your Stereo and the existing wiring.
It activates from the CD Changer button.

Y.

 

[Bangster]

Much more elegant solution than mine, I would be tempted but mine was basically free, and not that 40 bucks is a lot, it just isn't free

I disconnected the audio in from the CD changer and connected it to a Bluetooth adapter. It requires the CD Changer still be installed (boo), and a CD playing and playable (boo and boo). Every once in awhile the cd changer stops reading the CD and it shuts off the changer.

I have the dealer add on changer (so the wiring is different, and it is a vertical changer and not horizontal), but I took apart a connector and took out the pins with wires, disassembled my connector to pull out the changer inputs, put in the new wires, and connected them to an audio connector.

 

[tonybrooklyn]

X2!

 

[1998MarkVIII]

Thank you for the comments everyone,
I have tested everything. The direct connections and bluetooth work well.

The sound quality is better than i expected.

Even my 19 yo nephew complemented the sound quality.