Monday, August 20, 2007

Replacing a Stock Radio in a Ford Taurus 2002 SEL

So my friend and I are somewhat into car audio/visual (it's a lot of fun) and decided to change out my stock Ford radio for an aftermarket one.

We didn't really know what we were getting ourselves into until we got out the old deck. The 'ol junker (well not really a junker, since it's an EATC temperature control module coupled with a CD player) was one big circuit board. This thing looked so out-of-date that man could have went to the moon with it (produced in 1974).

We got the deck out, bought an aftermarket dash kit from the local car audio dealer, and connected the new deck. THAT part was easy - but wiring the EATC back up (electronic automatic temperature control) was worse then sticking yourself in the eye with a hot poker.

Here's a tip to anyone who wants to replace their stock car radios - NEVER cut the wiring harnesses. That being said, finding another wiring harness for the beast that actually works has been almost impossible. None of the wiring diagrams off any website were of merit - and Ford has none themselves that could be of help to us.

On top of that, the aftermarket dash kit we bought didn't have any knobs - they expected us to supply ones from the last heating system - and nothing to plug the knobs into. We could order the knobs - $12 each - order the switches - etc. The wiring harness was $80, the switches were around $100 for all three...so the total cost for fixing this heating system would be getting close to $500 when you incorporate the cost of the aftermarket dash kit as well.

I don't think I'll ever replace the stock radio in a Ford again. At least if I do, it would have to be a model that Ford RECOGNIZES and actually has help regarding the model. Buying replacement parts at Canadian Tire just dosen't cut it - they never work or fit - and when a Ford dealership can barely help you, you really wonder who can.

Long story short - with winter fast approaching we fused two wires together to turn the heat on for the winter. Simple solution. Likely when summer rolls around, we'll fuse a couple together to turn on the AC.

Only thing that bothers me is I can't turn the heat up or down. But it's on - so scrue it.

Please check out our website, selling audio/visual at Canadian wholesale prices at http://www.euroenclosures.com


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Playing a CD In Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player is the Media Player that comes bundled with Windows. I’m sure you’re aware of it, it’s actually pretty useful. Recently Microsoft has released the latest version of Windows Media Player they’re now on version 11!

Windows Media Player is capable of playing all types of different Media it can play Videos and Music. The music can either be from CD or MP3.

The first time I got a Computer with a CD-Rom Drive I was amazed at how easy it was to play an Audio CD on it! It was absolutely amazing, quite often while I’m working I’ll put on a CD using my Computer to entertain myself!

Windows Media Player 11 has been completely redesigned it now brings a completely new look and feel to your entertainment suite. One of the main problems with previous versions of Windows Media Player was that it didn’t include a DVD Decoder. Unfortunately this has not been rectified in this most recent release to play a DVD you must have another Decoder installed.

Windows Media Player 11 is great for playing Audio CD’s, so how can you play an Audio CD ? There are two methods, the first is using the auto run feature of your Computers CD-ROM drive if it is enabled, this is the easiest.

1. Insert the CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Close the tray.
3. Select Windows Media Player from the list of Programs.
4. Click ok and your CD will play automatically.

There is another way of playing Audio CD’s in Windows Media Player, if the CD is already in your drive then its pointless ejecting it and putting it back in.

Or you might have to use this method if your Computer has auto run disabled.

1. Insert the CD into your CD-Rom drive, and close the tray.
2. Click the arrow under the “Now playing” tab.
3. Select the CD that you want to play.

If you want to eject the Disc you don’t have to reach down to the button on the front of your Drive, you can right click the navigational pane in WMP 11 and select eject! What a convenience! To skip between tracks use the forward and backward skip buttons in the players controls.

Windows Media Player even has advanced controls you can use it to rip CD’s to your Hard Drive. You can use just this Software to convert your CD’s into MP3 Files that you can load onto your MP3 Player! Just don’t go sharing these Files with anyone else.

It’s easy to set Windows Media Player as your Default Player, if it doesn’t do so automatically when installed then do the following:

1. Open your control Panel.
2. Click on “Add Remove Programs”.
3. Double click “Custom”.
4. Change the default Player to “Windows Media Player”.
5. Click ok.

Windows Media Player is a really easy to use program, especially for playing something like Audio CD’s! It automatically contacts an Internet Server to find out the correct Names for all the tracks on your CD.

About The Author

Morten Hansen has been working with the internet for several years and is mainly writing about subjects, that makes it easier for Internet users to use different Software Tools on the internet. For more useful Tips about different Software Tools visit our site www.SoftwareTools4you.com