We bought our car Feb 16th 2006. The salesguy bragged about the 6 disc in dash cd changer. Driving car home, I'm hitting the button to turn the radio on (not figuring at this time that it has an anti theft device and that said device is missing)
So hubby called the salesguy like 2 weeks ago about this part and the guy said he ordered the part for our car. I called today to see if the part was in and the guy from parts told me that theres no record of any part having been ordered for our car!
Tomorrow I'm going to call the local Ford dealership and see how much it would cause to just get the little anti theft strip thats needed for our radio to work. Does anybody have any clue how much it would cost? It's a 2003 Ford Focus ZTS if that helps any.
Full Version: Anybody know anything about parts?
Or anyway that I can go to a local Ford dealership and have this part replaced and have it charged to the dealership we bought our car from?
Former auto parts store manager here...
OK, be prepared for the electronic annoying little rare part to be expensive. Why? Because they know you need it, and they're the only place you can get it. I'm not making promises or anything, just my experience.
I also wouldn't anticipate another dealership letting you bill this part to the dealership, at least without the dealer's prior approval and arragenement.
OK, be prepared for the electronic annoying little rare part to be expensive. Why? Because they know you need it, and they're the only place you can get it. I'm not making promises or anything, just my experience.
I also wouldn't anticipate another dealership letting you bill this part to the dealership, at least without the dealer's prior approval and arragenement.
QUOTE(CargoJon @ Apr 3 2006, 09:09 PM) 
Former auto parts store manager here...
OK, be prepared for the electronic annoying little rare part to be expensive. Why? Because they know you need it, and they're the only place you can get it. I'm not making promises or anything, just my experience.
I also wouldn't anticipate another dealership letting you bill this part to the dealership, at least without the dealer's prior approval and arragenement.
OK, be prepared for the electronic annoying little rare part to be expensive. Why? Because they know you need it, and they're the only place you can get it. I'm not making promises or anything, just my experience.
I also wouldn't anticipate another dealership letting you bill this part to the dealership, at least without the dealer's prior approval and arragenement.
I found a part I think will work with the car so that we can just take our cd player into the car with us and play cds that way until we get the correct part.
This salesperson promised you this in writing?
QUOTE(MarvBear @ Apr 3 2006, 09:52 PM)
This salesperson promised you this in writing?
No and I told hubby we should get him to write it down but he thinks the salesman will go back on what he has said.
QUOTE(ammorgan @ Apr 3 2006, 10:17 PM)
QUOTE(MarvBear @ Apr 3 2006, 09:52 PM)
This salesperson promised you this in writing?
No and I told hubby we should get him to write it down but he thinks the salesman will go back on what he has said.
holding a baby warning
i told hubby i feel like using pfb to write a letter to the dealership about this guy dropping the ball on not ordering the part and he said dont do it until we get the part.
told hubby he should call the dealership and light a fire under this guys a$$. ive been more than nice enough. granted im not calling everyday but i talked to the guy and he said hed contact the parts and see what info they needed from the car and then know he told me the part was being ordered.
then perhaps a gentle reminder to the general sales manager would get them to honor a verbal commitment by the sales staff.
It would greatly depend in your manner of approach your level of effectiveness IMO.
It would greatly depend in your manner of approach your level of effectiveness IMO.
QUOTE(MarvBear @ Apr 3 2006, 10:24 PM)
then perhaps a gentle reminder to the general sales manager would get them to honor a verbal commitment by the sales staff.
It would greatly depend in your manner of approach your level of effectiveness IMO.
It would greatly depend in your manner of approach your level of effectiveness IMO.
I don't think its not that he doesn't want to honor it...I think its just that he told me he'd order the part or had ordered it and never actually did it.
I told hubby what I'm thinking of doing is calling him tomorrow and asking to have the part ordered. Then Wed and each day after call and ask if the part was ordered or if my part is in yet and keep calling every day they are open until the part comes in.
I can tell you one thing, I'm not buying a car there again!
I mean first we go home and find out the radio doesn't work because its missing the anti-theft device.
Then one day we're driving and our front right tire blows.
And now here it is almost 2 months later and we STILL don't have the anti-theft device to make the radio work.
No thanks. If I ever need a car again I'll go elsewhere thank you very much!
I mean first we go home and find out the radio doesn't work because its missing the anti-theft device.
Then one day we're driving and our front right tire blows.
And now here it is almost 2 months later and we STILL don't have the anti-theft device to make the radio work.
No thanks. If I ever need a car again I'll go elsewhere thank you very much!
As a previous Auto electronics guru it would be a lot cheaper to just go to your local stereo shop and and look around they can get you a aftermarket unit (sorry no indash cd changer though) for a lot less than that part would cost through the dealer. and most likely even add on a cd-changer and still be under the list price at the dealer. The place i worked at always had a quilty cd-player on sale for 99 installed and not junk but name brand equipment
So I went to the local Ford dealership (also sell other brands of cars too) and was asking the guy about how much it would cost to get the anti-theft device. The guy seemed like I had no clue what I was talking about and he said that he'd never seen anything like that.
I asked about getting the kia dealership to pay for the part at my local ford dealership so that I wouldn't have to drive all the way to Irving and was told what I would have to do.
I called the kia dealership and was told that we'd have to bring the car in so they can pull the radio out and get the numbers off the back of it. The salesguy told us this once before but failed to mention we had to do it during parts and service hours. And then the next day I'm pretty sure he said that he had ordered the part and that was 3 weeks ago.
So now we've gotta drive the car back to Irving just so they can pull it and get the numbers off the back of the radio. We're not sure how to do it ourselves otherwise we would.
I asked about getting the kia dealership to pay for the part at my local ford dealership so that I wouldn't have to drive all the way to Irving and was told what I would have to do.
I called the kia dealership and was told that we'd have to bring the car in so they can pull the radio out and get the numbers off the back of it. The salesguy told us this once before but failed to mention we had to do it during parts and service hours. And then the next day I'm pretty sure he said that he had ordered the part and that was 3 weeks ago.
So now we've gotta drive the car back to Irving just so they can pull it and get the numbers off the back of the radio. We're not sure how to do it ourselves otherwise we would.
They need to look for the security code, which is normally on the back of the radio in most cases, this should be written down somewhere safe in case you ever disconnect the battery, then you will need to code again.
sorta like an anti-theft feature lots of mfg's make a part of their radios.
sorta like an anti-theft feature lots of mfg's make a part of their radios.
Checking around briefly via Google suggests that there is no physical device involved. If your radio has an antitheft feature, you will need to get the serial number off of the label on the side or back of radio, this is the letter "C", "L", or "M" followed by a number. The serial number is then converted to an unlock code using "secret" software that is supposed to only be available to Ford dealers, but now a lot of third parties claim to offer the service. The unlock code is then entered using the buttons on the front of the radio.
To remove the radio from the dash, you use two "U" shaped tools. The ends of the "U" fit into the holes on the sides of the radio. The tools release the catches so you can pull the radio out. Any place that works on aftermarket radios will have these tools. Often they are included with the unit when you buy an aftermarket radio in case you have a Ford and need to remove the factory radio.
Once you know the code (if you pay someone to unlock the radio, make sure they tell you the code), write it down in a safe place, such as on the side of the radio, in case you need it again.
Most Ford radios don't have any theft locking. All modern GM ones do, but it works differently, you'd use the buttons on the front of the radio to read out a number, then convert that number to the unlock code.
I did repair a 6-disk CD changer for a neighbor's Escape, this unit did not appear to have antitheft. What does the radio do when you try to turn it on? If it is locked, it will say "CODE" or "LOCK" on the display and wait for you to enter the code (DO NOT just try entering codes at this point, as repeated wrong codes will lock it more securely, and the serial number method may not work). If nothing happens, you hear noise from the motors inside and it eventually gives up, or it says "ERROR xx", the unit is probably defective, not locked.
To remove the radio from the dash, you use two "U" shaped tools. The ends of the "U" fit into the holes on the sides of the radio. The tools release the catches so you can pull the radio out. Any place that works on aftermarket radios will have these tools. Often they are included with the unit when you buy an aftermarket radio in case you have a Ford and need to remove the factory radio.
Once you know the code (if you pay someone to unlock the radio, make sure they tell you the code), write it down in a safe place, such as on the side of the radio, in case you need it again.
Most Ford radios don't have any theft locking. All modern GM ones do, but it works differently, you'd use the buttons on the front of the radio to read out a number, then convert that number to the unlock code.
I did repair a 6-disk CD changer for a neighbor's Escape, this unit did not appear to have antitheft. What does the radio do when you try to turn it on? If it is locked, it will say "CODE" or "LOCK" on the display and wait for you to enter the code (DO NOT just try entering codes at this point, as repeated wrong codes will lock it more securely, and the serial number method may not work). If nothing happens, you hear noise from the motors inside and it eventually gives up, or it says "ERROR xx", the unit is probably defective, not locked.
I never thought a Focus would have an anti-theft radio. Even my F-150 doesn't have that.
Those u-shaped tools are found at Best Buy, and sometimes even at the WMpire. it's known as the DIN tool. As the kid working in car stereo with the tats and the multiple earrings and he'd know what you're talking about
Those u-shaped tools are found at Best Buy, and sometimes even at the WMpire. it's known as the DIN tool. As the kid working in car stereo with the tats and the multiple earrings and he'd know what you're talking about
QUOTE(GrimRepo @ Apr 5 2006, 09:38 AM)
Those u-shaped tools are found hanging in the closet, although you will need a pair of wire cutters so that you can trim to fit
fixed
I've yet to find a FoMoCo unit that could not be removed with a bent hunk of a metal coat hanger.
QUOTE(centex @ Apr 5 2006, 02:40 PM)
QUOTE(GrimRepo @ Apr 5 2006, 09:38 AM)
Those u-shaped tools are found hanging in the closet, although you will need a pair of wire cutters so that you can trim to fit
fixed
I've yet to find a FoMoCo unit that could not be removed with a bent hunk of a metal coat hanger.
The radio does nothing when I hit the on/off button. See that line/rectangle underneath the hazard triangle? That is where the thing is missing. And the button to the left of that is supposed to pop out what goes in that rectangle area.
From the 2003 Focus owner's manual, which can be downloaded for free from the official Ford site www dot motorcraftservice dot com.
So have you tried this at a Ford dealer?
CODE
10. Anti-theft protection panel:
To deter would-be thieves, Ford
audio units have a removable front
panel without which the unit will
not work.
Avoid touching the contacts on the
back of the panel and do not use excessive force to refit it.
Press the security release control and remove the front panel. To
reposition the panel, insert the right-hand edge first, then the left-hand
side, until the retaining latch is engaged.
Replacement panels: Your Ford Dealer will require the following if you
need to order a replacement panel:
•Your name and address.
•The vehicle identification number (visible in the corner of the
windscreen).
•The audio unit type.
•Proof of identification (i.e. driver’s license).
•A vehicle invoice (if the audio unit was installed in the vehicle prior to
delivery) or a parts invoice if the audio unit was purchased separately
from the vehicle, or an appropriate vehicle registration document.
To deter would-be thieves, Ford
audio units have a removable front
panel without which the unit will
not work.
Avoid touching the contacts on the
back of the panel and do not use excessive force to refit it.
Press the security release control and remove the front panel. To
reposition the panel, insert the right-hand edge first, then the left-hand
side, until the retaining latch is engaged.
Replacement panels: Your Ford Dealer will require the following if you
need to order a replacement panel:
•Your name and address.
•The vehicle identification number (visible in the corner of the
windscreen).
•The audio unit type.
•Proof of identification (i.e. driver’s license).
•A vehicle invoice (if the audio unit was installed in the vehicle prior to
delivery) or a parts invoice if the audio unit was purchased separately
from the vehicle, or an appropriate vehicle registration document.
So have you tried this at a Ford dealer?
QUOTE(mk_378 @ May 1 2006, 11:11 AM)
From the 2003 Focus owner's manual, which can be downloaded for free from the official Ford site www dot motorcraftservice dot com.
So have you tried this at a Ford dealer?
CODE
10. Anti-theft protection panel:
To deter would-be thieves, Ford
audio units have a removable front
panel without which the unit will
not work.
Avoid touching the contacts on the
back of the panel and do not use excessive force to refit it.
Press the security release control and remove the front panel. To
reposition the panel, insert the right-hand edge first, then the left-hand
side, until the retaining latch is engaged.
Replacement panels: Your Ford Dealer will require the following if you
need to order a replacement panel:
•Your name and address.
•The vehicle identification number (visible in the corner of the
windscreen).
•The audio unit type.
•Proof of identification (i.e. driver’s license).
•A vehicle invoice (if the audio unit was installed in the vehicle prior to
delivery) or a parts invoice if the audio unit was purchased separately
from the vehicle, or an appropriate vehicle registration document.
To deter would-be thieves, Ford
audio units have a removable front
panel without which the unit will
not work.
Avoid touching the contacts on the
back of the panel and do not use excessive force to refit it.
Press the security release control and remove the front panel. To
reposition the panel, insert the right-hand edge first, then the left-hand
side, until the retaining latch is engaged.
Replacement panels: Your Ford Dealer will require the following if you
need to order a replacement panel:
•Your name and address.
•The vehicle identification number (visible in the corner of the
windscreen).
•The audio unit type.
•Proof of identification (i.e. driver’s license).
•A vehicle invoice (if the audio unit was installed in the vehicle prior to
delivery) or a parts invoice if the audio unit was purchased separately
from the vehicle, or an appropriate vehicle registration document.
So have you tried this at a Ford dealer?
No I've never taken that information into a Ford dealership but when I've called them on the phone it seemed like they had no clue what I was talking about.
Actually I've gone into a Ford service/parts department and was trying to get across to the guy what I was needing to order and the guy didn't know what I was talking about and even asked another guy and that guy didn't seem to have any idea what I was talking about.
I suggest you download the manual and print out the pages about the 6 disc CD changer, which also includes a drawing of the front of the unit. Where you have a blank space with metal contacts there should be the removeable panel that says "6 DISC CD CHANGER". Take your car to the Ford dealer in person and show them what you are talking about.
You could also ask junk yards if they have a used 6006 radio (with panel). The panel may not interchange to different radios but you could then change the whole radio out and have one that is guaranteed to work, at least for a few months. Or buy an aftermarket radio.
You could also ask junk yards if they have a used 6006 radio (with panel). The panel may not interchange to different radios but you could then change the whole radio out and have one that is guaranteed to work, at least for a few months. Or buy an aftermarket radio.
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