Please help me...

[MB79]

Hey everyone

I'm a 26yo female and don't know much about cars...

I bought a '98 Ford Fest Trio today but the great looking Ford stereo system is just that - It doesn't work.

I have 'Err' flashing ALL the time. I've tried the acc switch and leaving it for an hour to get it to 'code' but still no luck.

Does anyone out there have any idea on what I can do?

Thanks!

[htchbck]

If the deck is turning on but giving an error message then the problem is most likely within the deck itself, not the wiring. Is the stereo a CD player, or just radio and cassette? If its CD it could be that the CD loading mechanism is just jammed, but otherwise a new radio is probably your best bet.

[nonamekid]

Does it look like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ford-festiva-radio-cassette_W0QQitemZ9743624611QQcategoryZ72482QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Are you in Australia? We have a few other members from down under who might have run into the same problem. We didn't get the festiva after 97, or some of the same options.

[studdyhalllooser]

i had a pontiac that had the same problem you have. it was locked and asking for a code. the code on most of those is set in the factory. i had to go to a dealership for them to get me a code that would unlock it. untill you do its completely locked...altho you said its on a switch so it may not be a factory radio. good luck and welcome aboard

[MB79]

Hey everyone,

Thanks so much for all your replies so soon. I've still had no luck...

htchbck -
I suspect it's the deck. I've kind of felt the back of the stereo to fiddle with the wires - They all seem fine and secure.
It's a stereo/fm/tape player with a Ford cd stacker under the seat. The stereo has buttons to change cd disks so I'm assuming they are both originals to the car. I have tried putting in a cd, though I don't think it's the stacker that's at fault.
New radio? I couldn't possibly until I've pulled this one apart to try and fix it.

nonamekid -
Sorry, it doesn't look like that photo. Mine looks a little newer with the lcd screen below the tape insert. Underneath that are the preset/disc bottons lined across the bottom. Thanks though.
Yes, I'm in Australia.

studdyhalllooser -
My stereo isn't even giving me the option to switch off. Once the key's in - it starts flashing with 'Err' and just won't budge. My problem is that I can't even get it to the 'Code' part. I've been to Ford and they can't help me until I get to that stage. Once I do - I just need to go back and pay $11 for them to tell me the code.

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate it!

[5.0zone]

You might want to try disconnecting the battery for a minute. This will reset the radio, but I don't know that it will help.

[MB79]

Unfortunately I've done that as well as disconnecting the fuse for a good 45mins. Once put back in, I still had the same old "Err".

Thanks for that though. Something has to work sooner or later :wink: (Preferably sooner)

[TheresGabe]

other site.

I hate to say it, but you might want to try fordaspire.5.forumer.com I am on there all the time with my aspire (or as you know it Festiva Trio S) I'd say close to half of the people who post on there are from OZ. Not fair, there is so many Aussies it seems like they always have a helping hand. Try them out...Yours came with a CD stacker? is it the Festiva DEMON :twisted: ? I wish I had a demon! good luck!