North American Turbocoupe Organization



88 TC Radio/Equalizer
LorainO88 Offline
Member
#1
Hello all. I have issues with my radio & graphic equalizer. I’m not sure if either one has anything to do with the other. When you power on the radio the volume goes really loud coming out of the speakers. It is impossible to turn it down. I’ve never tried a cassette. Also the g/e will not stay powered on when you press the power button. It will if you hold the power button in. I really don’t want to replace the radio with a new aftermarket radio/cd. I have scoured the internet. It seems this radio is impossible to find these days. I’m trying to keep all oem stock. Is it possible to have the radio repaired? Is it possible to cross reference the radio with a radio Ford used on another brand..cougar, mustang, etc? Thank you all for your advice.
WRBjr
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#2
Sounds like the volume knob on the radio needs a shot of contact cleaner. Best way to do this is to remove the radio, take the case off, and spray contact cleaner directly into the volume control pot, and turning the knob its full range several times. May repeat this process a few times.

The power button on the eq is a common problem. Most people just push the button in, jam a toothpick under the button to hold it in, and break off the toothpick.

IMO, the stock premium sound system absolutely horrible and pathetic by todays standards, and wasnt even that good by 1980's standards. Even a $120 aftermarket head unit will give WAY WAY better sound quality, higher power output than even Fords premium sound system, and many more features, like a USB input, CD player, etc.
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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turbo80sdriver Offline
Administrator
#3
If you find that the unit you have just won't repair, I can imagine there are many used units available to purchase - especially here at NATO. As Jeff said, since the aftermarket units do so well, a boat-load of TCs already have had them replaced (e.g. I have 3 TCs with aftermarkets and one with all stock). If you resort to that, just place a parts wanted post and I can imagine it won't take long to find a replacement unit.
'88 TC-Black T-5 with 79K stock 98.5% original, just w-i-d-e rims and tires, and some under hood powder-coating
'88 TC-Blue w/98K. Stocker w/t-5 ( the resurrection car) top gas mileage =31 mpg!
'88 TC-Grey w/99k. Auto, well optioned, 2nd owner car - getting more options
'87 TC-Blue w/123k t-5 parts car - less of a car now
'88 TC gray- body only so far- very very late factory build dated car, awaiting resurrection
'87 GN w/16.8K
"96 Bronco XLT w/351 (5.8l)
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anasazi4st Offline
Senior Member
#4
LorainO88 Wrote:I have scoured the internet. It seems this radio is impossible to find these days. I’m trying to keep all oem stock. Is it possible to have the radio repaired? Is it possible to cross reference the radio with a radio Ford used on another brand..cougar, mustang, etc? Thank you all for your advice.
I am also looking for a 1987-88 Ford Premium Sound AM/FM Cassette OEM stereo. While I have not posted in Parts Wanted, I did inquire here several months ago if anyone knew of one. I am still looking. As you’ve found out, there are very few to be had. I have a daily search set up on eBay for just this item...lots of ones from 1990 on up, but no 1987-88s models like I am looking for.

The one I am seeking has the Sliding Balance Control, which was matched with the Graphic Equalizer for 87-88. There is a Rotating Knobs model which was for owners who did not desire the Graphic Equalizer feature: Bass, Treble, Balance and Front/Rear Fade are the four knobs where the sliding balance control is found on the other unit. A few of these can still be found. I bit the bullet and installed one in my TC.

I have detailed a fix that allows the usage of the Equalizer with this other unit, as there is no direct hookup—the Equalizer was not installed, so there is no connection for it. Modifications must be made, although for the most part they are not serious and could be reversed if the proper replacement is ever located. The only serious mod is that a hole must be cut into the plastic trim piece that fits around the radio, Equalizer, a/c panel and System Sentry units. I had a spare one of these, so it was not a big deal to me.

I have detailed the fix/mod here—Adapting Ford’s Premium Sound Graphic Equalizer.

Good luck.
Another proud dues-paying member.

1987 Turbo Coupe w/T5OD, 8.8 axle, grey smoke; most options. Got it in 1991 with 41K miles: 3 turbos, 2 heater cores, 3 T5OD full rebuilds, 6 clutches, 1 head gasket, 2 Teves II ABS units, etc. later....
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LorainO88 Offline
Member
#5
Thank you everyone for the great advice. I have decided to go with an aftermarket unit. I wanted to stay original. It just makes better sense.
WRBjr
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LorainO88 Offline
Member
#6
Thank you. I now have MORE QUESTIONS. There is no way possible I will install my own unit. I WILL get the car wiring so jacked up the ignition would not turn over. That is why I'm going to a local install shop. I've bought 2 BOSS 6x9 500w units for the rear. My question is-what type CD head unit should I buy? Does it matter? I do not want to mess with the original speakers in the door panels and dash. All those screws. The door panels are currently very sound with no rattle. Id like to use them for what they are worth. I looked up the Premium Sound for the 88 TC. I see there is an amp in the trunk. Is it any count at this point? I see from wiring schematics there is a reach around plug that by passes the original EQ. Very smart on FOMOCO part. Does that reach around also bypass the amp too? Basically, I'm asking can I put in a new head unit no matter what the amps and still use the original amp, the speakers in the dash, the side panels and the new ones in the rear deck?
WRBjr
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#7
You ALWAYS bypass the (pathetic) premium sound amp in the trunk. Even a cheap head unit will have more power and better frequency response than the POS premium sound amp. You also bypass the equalizer. Virtually every head unit other than the absolute cheapest one you can buy will have a built in equalizer that is light years better than the stock one. Modern head units with DSP are absolutely amazing, letting you move the sound stage anywhere you want in the car plus lots more.

Yes, there should be a in back of the radio that goes directly to the speakers. You use that plug, with a Ford adapter harness, to connect to the new HU.

I would strongly suggest new speakers all around. Even the door speakers are are very easy to replace. It only takes a couple minutes to remove the door panel to get to the speaker. The OEM speakers were not too good to begin with, and are worse after 30 years of heat / cold, humidity etc.

CD??? No one uses CDs anymore. Virtually every HU these days have a USP input for a phone or a thumb drive. A 16 Gb thumb drive will hold enough high resolution (320 kps) mp3 music that you could drive from coast to coast twice and never listen to the same song.
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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LorainO88 Offline
Member
#8
Thank you JK! HaHa. I’ll get the one with a thumb drive and phone jack too. I have a boat load of cds that date back to 1988 too. Btw. I’m going to but speakers all the way around. Great advice taken. I’m shopping for them now. Save from pulling the panels myself, does anyone happen to know the dimensions of the dash and door speakers? Thanks much all.
WRBjr
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#9
I too had tons of CDs dating back to the 80s. I converted them all (at least the ones I still wanted to keep) to high resolution mp3 format with my laptop years ago, and never looked back.
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
Reply

LorainO88 Offline
Member
#10
Thank you JK. I bought all Boss. Speakers, head unit and amp. All around 1k watts. If I can get some base and high treble, I’ll be pleased. I’m looking into putting everything from my cds on a thumb drive. That will be awesome. Again. I’m thankful there are all knowing folks around. The Turbo Coupe is the best car to roll out of Lorain assembly. Just my opinion. Thank you.
WRBjr
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