2004 Ranger radio problem

[jw1044]

My ranger is an automatic with the 6 disc cd changer radio from ford. On a couple of ocassions the radio has cut off while travelling down the road. After stopping I found that the sound comes back on when the transmission is in park or neutral but would not work if in drive or reverse.

Has anyone else had this problem and have you found out what caused it. The only time it has done this is when it was raining or high humidity.

Thanks

 

[locknar]

mine just starting doing the same thing, does not work in drive, reverse, l1 etc does work in park or neutral.
WHY?

 

[06RangerXLT]

engine running, put it in drive, turn on your highbeams. then, turn on the ignition (engine off) and shift into drive.

if the radio works in both instances, disconnect the bright pink w/ black stripe wire from the back of the radio. Mine did this, nothing i can find lists the wire, and i have no clue why it does it, but it fixed my problem. the wire according to all shop manuals doesnt exist, and even ford doesnt kow whats causing it. the wire gave me 0Volts with engine off ignition on, 7.2V on low beam, 6.2 on high beam. its overpowering something, and killing the audio.

leave enough wire to connect it again if needed. if i find a fix for it ill post it here.

some think its the shift position sensor, its not (unless you lose power to the radio in drive, no light or controls)
some also think its the GEM, but i check mine with a solus pro and everything was fine.

 

[locknar]

engine running, put it in drive, turn on your highbeams. then, turn on the ignition (engine off) and shift into drive.

wow, I would not have guessed that sequence. I also noticed the seatbelt minder does not go off.

I did pull fuses number 6 and number 24, to basically try a reset. Fuse #24 did work, I have driven it twice and it still works, just keeping my fingers crossed. I read somewhere else that is a transmission MLP sensor???

 

[06RangerXLT]

as have i, but disconnecting mine did nothing.