Driving is fun until it no longer is. If you own a car, chances are you drive your vehicle to work, the store, and any other place you are going to. This means driving can get boring at times and a good way to make your experience more bearable is to listen to the radio. You could listen to your favorite songs or catch up on the latest events in the world on a news channel. But what if you switch on the radio on your vehicle only to discover it isn’t working? This article focuses on the radio issues with the Ford Fusion.
A blown fuse, bad antenna, extreme temperatures, and anti-theft features are the main reasons why your Ford Fusion radio may not be working. To fix the problem, you have to identify the underlying cause and apply the necessary fix.
Usually, you’ll need to take your vehicle to an auto shop to fix any radio-related issues. The cost of repair depends on the underlying cause. Below, you’ll learn about the common causes of radio malfunction in Ford Fusion.
Some Quick Words About The Ford Fusion
Ford is one of the most popular auto manufacturers in the world with a reputation for producing quality, rugged, and no-nonsense vehicles. While the company has several lines of high-performance vehicles, we have a special love for Fusion models which is a line of midsize sedans. It’s a shame that Ford has discontinued the Fusion line as the company wants to focus on its truck and SUV models.
So, what’s to like about Ford Fusion? Well, a powerful engine and good fuel economy easily come to mind. Then, there’s the eye-catching exterior, comfortable interior, and plethora of safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and so on.
Trouble In Paradise? What To Do If Ford Fusion Radio Isn’t Working
We feel your pain. The drive to the office isn’t the same without listening to your favorite morning show or podcast. The trip to the store becomes a bore when your radio is out of commission and that road trip doesn’t feel the same. Below, we’ll discuss the most common reasons why your car radio may not be working. Here we go.
Blown Fuse
This is one of the most common reasons behind car radios suddenly stop working. As you may already know, your Ford Fusion radio has an electrical component that uses a certain amount of electricity to function. An overload of electric current can damage the radio and a fuse is usually installed in the radio unit to protect it from power surges.
When there is a power surge, the fuse takes the damage and cuts power to the radio. This will result in the radio not working until the blown fuse is replaced. You may be able to detect a blown fuse by perceiving a burning smell.
A trip to your mechanic is needed to fix the radio if the fuse is blown. The mechanic will replace the blown fuse and the radio will be back up and running.
Old Radio
Sometimes, the problem with the radio is that it’s too old. Generally, stock radio systems can perform optimally for about five to six years, although this can easily extend up to ten years with proper care. So, if your Ford Fusion is over 6 years old, it may be time to replace the radio unit.
The first Ford Fusion was released in 2005 and if you own a 2005 Ford Fusion or any other model released between 2005 to 2015, you may need to change the radio system if it’s constantly breaking down.
Bad Antenna And Speaker Problems
The antenna is an essential part of your car audio system and a malfunctioning or bad antenna will affect the normal operation of the radio. A bad antenna usually results in your radio being unable to pick up broadcasts. In most cases, the Bluetooth, mp3, and other features of the radio remain functional. And when this happens, you’ll need a professional to diagnose and fix the problem.
Issues with the speaker wiring will also affect the radio. Since the stereo system tends to have more than one speaker, you may still get audio from other functional speakers.
Anti-Theft Measures
Some car manufacturers incorporate an anti-theft feature in their stock radio systems. This feature kicks in when the radio is being tampered with and a disruption in power flow occurs. The purpose of tbs anti-theft measure is to make the radio useless to potential thieves.
In the past years, car radios used to be hot commodities that were highly sought after by thieves. This is no longer the case as most modern cars now come with sophisticated radio systems that are difficult to remove and have little-to-no resale value. Still, a thief may decide to have a go at your car’s radio and if there’s an anti-theft measure, your car radio may stop working if there’s a failed attempt to steal it.
Consult the owner’s manual to know if there’s any anti-theft measure incorporated in the radio and other parts of the vehicle. Anti-theft measures may differ among different car manufacturers and models, so it’s important to know which one your car has.
Extreme Temperatures
Extreme temperatures can affect the normal operation of your car’s radio. If the temperature is too hot, the radio system can start overheating which can result in some of the internal components expanding and eventually getting warped. Some components may also melt in extremely hot temperatures necessitating the need to replace them to restore normal operation.
In case of extremely low temperatures, the internal components can become disjointed as the lower temperatures can make the internal components contract and lose their normal shape.
Car Radio Maintenance
Like every other component in your vehicle, your car radio requires some maintenance to keep it in good condition. One of the easiest ways to keep your radio in top condition is to keep your radio. If you allow dust to accumulate on your radio, some will penetrate into the radio and gradually damage some of the internal components or affect the sound quality. Ideally, you should use a vacuum cleaner to clean the interior of your vehicle including the radio system.
