Radio: muted when in Drive/Reverse

[FillMarr]

Hey all,

I’ve done some investigative work here. The radio works only in Park and Neutral, whether or not the truck is on or just the ignition is on. Problem is, the sound gets muted when in Drive, reverse, or in gear. The radio/screen/clock stays on, but sound is muted.

I noticed that each of the 3 radio fuses have power as they should (one always, another while ignition is on, another only when cranking).


Interestingly, there IS sound in Drive when I ground fuses 21 and 22 manually via my test bulb....so, prodding either fuse with the tip of the tester, while the tester itself is grounded via alligator clip.


So that means what? That my starter relay needs replacing? That my sensor relay on my tranny needs replacing? I hear people cut a red wire/black stripe at the back of the radio, but I’d rather do this right.


Thanks!

Phil


Ps- truck works perfectly fine otherwise. 175k miles, 2007 xlt, 4.0, automatic, stock radio (not tremor), vacuumed carpet. Some codes from my obd2 scanner seem irrelevant but are attached:

View attachment 31277

 

[FillMarr]

In the end, a new radio did the trick! Got a Sony touch screen, I love it.

 

[RonD]

Missed this when you posted the first time

Yes the Ford Radios have a 12v MUTE wire

But should be fuse 28 in 2003 Ranger, seen here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_library/pdf_documents/2003_Ranger_Radio_Wiring.pdf

Fuse 28 mutes radio when starter motor is active

 

[FillMarr]

Does that mean it wasn’t an issue with the radio in your opinion? Just curious at this point. Thanks.

 

[RonD]

No, probably not or it would mute all the time, not just in selected transmission shifter positions

The Sony won't have that Mute hookup

 

[FillMarr]

Fuse 28 seems fine. I have another symptom that could be related, I suppose as some type of anti-theft protection....


P1260 - "Theft detected, vehicle immobilized" possible cause: Antitheft system has failed. Possible fixes:
- replace instrument cluster,
- preform parameter reset procedure w/U2510
- replace instrument cluster module

U2510 - "Invalid or missing data for vehicle security". possible fixes:
- perform parameter reset procedure w/p1260
- repair Engine control module case ground w/U0100
- replace ignition keys w/U0100
- replace powertrain control module (PCM)
- perform PCM programming with P1260, U1900
- repaired PCM wiring w/U0100

B1602
- replace ignition keys

B1352 - ignition key in circuit fault
- performed battery disconnect/reconnect w/ U1041, U1242
- repaired read door jam wiring

 

[RonD]

If you had battery connected while you were installing the new radio you may have triggered the anti-theft system

PATS, passive anti-theft system, is in the instrument cluster, and usually just vehicle/engine related, not sure if the Stock Radio has a connection that needs to be present or if replacing with non-stock radio causes the "theft" mode in 2007 Ranger

I wouldn't think so, as thats usually more of an "alarm" system not an anti-theft system

So not sure why you would be getting those codes