05 Explorer radio replacement

[onetwopi]

Hello,
I am replacing the factory radio deck in my 05 Explorer 4.0L V6 4 door with a custom deck.  Unfortunately, no one seems to carry the correct wiring harness for my version of the Ford radio, so I am going to do the splices by hand.  (My version has a 20-pin and a 16-pin connection -- most others seem to have three plugs with a different layout all together.)
Anyway, looking at the wiring schematic for the radio, there are two connections that I don't understand - the radio seems to have a connection to the DTR sensor (digital transmission range) and a connection to an airbag contact.  What the heck are those things doing tied to the factory radio?  And do I need to connect anything to them to keep the car in good order?

Thanks for the help!

md

[Jim Davis]

http://www.installer.com/cars/by_car.php?carid=6413

[onetwopi]

Thanks Jim!   

[NickD]

I had this issue with my 04 Cavalier being unhappy with the radio that came with it using 10 ohm speakers.  Went around with circles with Crutchfield, they had an adapter as well but said it didn't work.  Deals with the ID code of the radio that talks back to the BCM before the BCM powers it up and also a part of the alarm system.  So I ended up keeping the stock radio, added external amps, had to search for the BCM power up and added a buffer to it to switch on the external amps, and some decent speakers.  Sounds pretty good now.

I see that link Jim gave you also has a whole bunch of stuff for my car that didn't exist before, but still wonder about those ID codes, nothing is said about that.

Actually I prefer the OE radio, has a real volume control and tuning knob on it and a display I can read anytime of day.  Put an aftermarket radio in my motorhome, when I got into it this spring, took me over a minute to try to remember how to even turn it on, than several minutes to try and recall how to change the station.  And can't do that when I am driving, have to cup my hand over it to read the display.

Cavalier does have a CD player in it, don't use that anymore, and with a radio, the CD player is the first thing to go.  For one thing, need CD's with no place in the vehicle to store them, and not a good idea to find the CD you are looking for when driving down a dark curvy Wisconsin road.  So converted my radio to MP3 where I can store literally hundreds of MP3's on a tiny micro flashcard.  So really don't need a CD player anymore, just an AM-FM radio will be fine.

Satellite never plays what you feeling like hearing, and cost a fortune in monthly subscription rates.  But most of the time, just enjoy rolling the window down and listening to the wind blowing by.

[nickb2]

Damn nickd. Gotta love the simplicity of a good old window crank and oldies on local FM. If you look at all these kids nowadays they got bass that will loosen the rust of their sh*t boxes and no more money for some nice ride. Who needs bass with a hemi?