1986 Country Squire Premium Sound problems

[patrick66]

I took the head unit out of my '86 CS to install a new Sony head unit w/integrated 40W amp. Got the correct wiring adapter, wired it up, and all I get is static from the speakers. The tuner will tune in a station fine, but nothing but static comes from the speakers. Had a Dual headunit sitting on the bench, so I tried it with the exact same results. My Ford head unit plays, but loud pops come through the speakers, whether the radio is powered on OR off! WTF, over??? Ideas from the electronics gurus???

This has the earlier plug-ins, versus the 1986> flat connectors.

[BlackVic_P71]

Did you bypass the amp in the back?

[patrick66]

The guy at the stereo shop claims since that there is a heat sink at the back of the factory head unit that there is no separate amp. I've looked at the three places I've heard of where the amp MIGHT be - in the spare tire well next to the taillight, under the seat, and behind the radio itself. Nothing. I've heard that on some cars, the amp is under the dash pad and requires the removal of that. If it's there, screw it. I'll drive in silence.

How does one "bypass" the amp, assuming there is one in the car?

I DID get the rear speakers to work, but as I was putting the new unit back in, the popping began through the front speakers and rears. This has been one huge PITA. What should be a 30-minute install has been eight months of no tunes.

[gadget73]

The premium sound system had the amp. Non-premium had no amp.

either way I think you may have a common ground system that requires running new wires from the stereo to the speakers in order to work. I don't have an EVTM to confirm the setup, but I do know that aftermarket stereos with the old premium sound rig requires new wiring. You can't bypass the old football amp, there aren't enough wires to make it work.

[patrick66]

The premium sound system had the amp. Non-premium had no amp.

either way I think you may have a common ground system that requires running new wires from the stereo to the speakers in order to work. I don't have an EVTM to confirm the setup, but I do know that aftermarket stereos with the old premium sound rig requires new wiring. You can't bypass the old football amp, there aren't enough wires to make it work.

It definitely has the amp. I had the radio completely removed from the car; and with the fuse for that circuit still installed and the ignition ON, there was popping through the speakers! Fuse out, no pop. So, from what I've been able to find out, the amp in my car is located between the DS taillight housing and the rear storage compartment. I'll know where to go from that point.

[gadget73]

I seem to remember them being on the passenger side, near the spare tire but that was on an '89.

[tjc78]

Do yourself a favor and run new wires. It won't take all that long and you'll end up with better sound in the end. I'm 99% sure the pre 88 premium sound was floating ground and nearly impossible to tie into with good results.