1994 explorer/sport radio not working

1994 FORD EXPLORER
1,850,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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SYLVIA SKELTON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I started up my explorer and the radio screen had the three letters "BAD" on it, nothing else, no sound, no on-off, no clock, no nothing. I turned the engine off for a minute, and restarted with the same results, BAD on the screen. I showed a couple of semi-quasi mechanic's this, with niether ever seeing this befor so, I thought I should give the pro's a chance! Hope you can help me before I go insane from no radio/clock beings I am in my explorer driving alot and could easily slip in to coma from the lack of stimulous. It's truely horrible! Thanx in advance guys!.....
Feb 22, 2011 at 8:16 AM
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MHPAUTOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 31,937 POSTS
The Ford DIN CD Radio uses the error message "BAD" in the display for a couple different conditions. One is for a "bad CD" which could be scratched or so dirty that the laser cannot read it. For this, trying a different disc should tell you if that was it. The other condition is if the radio has been operated at high volume and high temperature. The CD mechanism has internal protection schemes to shut itself down if too high an internal temperature has been reached. If it does not work after a reasonable "cool-down" period, try disconnecting the vehicle battery cables, and then re-connecting. If that does not reset it, it will have to be removed for repair.

MHPAUTOS
Feb 22, 2011 at 1:27 PM
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SYLVIA SKELTON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hey now mhpautos,
Sorry you didn't realize that the "ford 1994 explorer/sports" have tape
decks in them and do not yet have "CD players", at least mine does not have a "CD" player,and I have not even used the tape deck in along time, nor was any part of my vehicle hot beings it is Feb. and I hadn't drove the vehicle in hours. I will try disconnecting the battery cables and let you know what happens......
Feb 22, 2011 at 9:51 PM
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MHPAUTOS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 31,937 POSTS
I got this info from a mate that works at ford, but he says that it still may be an over heat issue, see how you get on.

mark (mhpautos)
Feb 22, 2011 at 10:49 PM
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