Aftermarket stereo?

2009 FORD EXPLORER

200,000 MILES

TRAVISJ82

MEMBER
7 POSTS

Figured it was worth trying? My friend has a 2009 Eddie Bauer Explorer. Trying to sell it. The factory head unit was shot, so we grabbed an old alpine head unit. Model CDE-SXM145BT. We got the harnesses tied up. Everything looks good. Powers on. No sound.... At all. Bluetooth. Aux. Am. Fm. I've read several forums and apparently it's a standard issue. But the fixes range.... Wildly. Any magic you can share would be greatly appreciated!

Jul 22, 2024 at 11:11 PM

STRAILER

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
54,832 POSTS

This system has an amplifier and an accessory protocol interface module that must be triggered on to have the radio work. I don't think an old Alpine unit will work, you need to get a radio head unit that will be compatible. Here are the radio wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.

Images (Click to enlarge)

Professional Diagram for 2CarPros Members
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Jul 23, 2024 at 10:13 AM

TRAVISJ82

MEMBER
7 POSTS

I kept catching something about the factory amp in a lot of forums. At least now I can give up that fight! Lol. I appreciate your time. Thank you :)

Jul 23, 2024 at 2:56 PM

STEVE W.

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
15,200 POSTS

Ford went overboard on those versions. The OE system was one of the earliest that had the OE amp controlled by the network instead of a simple on offline like the other models. To get it to work with an aftermarket unit it's almost easier to just ignore the OE entirely and run new wiring to the speakers as a full install.

Jul 24, 2024 at 3:28 AM