Expert: Ernesto R - 1/29/2010

Question
QUESTION:
I own a 2001 Lincoln town car with a stock premium sound alpine system.  Recently the display reads "PHONE"  and no music will play.  Why is it doing this.  If the radio is junk can I replace it with an aftermarket stereo and keep the quality of sounds and the steering controls?  

Thanks

ANSWER: NO that lincoln radio is the DSP unit compatible with the factory amplifer,
you will need to rewire all the speakers amplifier and will lose the cd changer, there are adaptors for the steering controls but they are not easy to install

the radio got a short inside and it is getting a negative signal from the phone, most likely you don't have the phone kit, if you do the problem is on the phone wiring


it will be better to keep the factory lincoln DSP radio see if it can be repair
or you can buy a rebuil unit from here


http://www.oemautosound.com/c-173-oem-factory-radio.aspx

good luck

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks a million!

The place that I spoke to say there is an adapter that would make the after market "kenwood" stereo work with the stock amps.  Is this BS?  Also, if it is true would it sound as good as the original.

Finally,  could an OEM stereo with a single disc in the unit be installed seamlessly.  Mine has the cassete in the deck and changer in the trunk.  I would prefer a single disk upfront.

Thanks

Answer
that adaptor don't exist, there are some universal that will reduce the high power radio power but sound is not going to be the same, also the dsp settings for te amplifier can only be change from the factory radio,

yes there are single cd player that will fit and plug into the same wiring  they will also control the cd changer

good luck