Ford OEM CD Unit

I am attempting to use a Ford OEM CD Unit, model number F87F-18C815-CA, in a '95 Grand Marquis. I bought an adapter harness from an on-line merchant because I did not want to go hacking into the wiring harness of my car. The problem I am seeing is terrible sound quality. It sounds tinny and has static. I believe the head unit was from a late 90s model Explorer or Ranger. I believe the head unit is good, but there is something wrong with the power harness. I was told the unit has a 24-watt output, and I am using the original speakers in the vehicle. They seem to be 4-ohm speakers. Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be? Thanks in advance! -tm- Don't wanna hear your "boom-boom," just wanna hear my "weeee-yaaah-deedle-dee."

Okay...maybe I am not asking the right question here. What I need to know is the pinout for the power connector on the above mentioned CD unit. Does anyone know where I can get that info? Maybe somewhere on this website (I have searched, but to no avail)? -tm-Don't wanna hear your "boom-boom," just wanna hear my "weeee-yaaah-deedle-dee."

So the problem is which: poor sound quality or you can't figure out the wiring harness?  Also, does the Grand Marquis have the factory amplified "premium" system?Support the12volt.com

DYohn, the car does not have the Premium System, just a run-of-the-mill, OEM, AM/FM Casstte. It sounds fine, for what it is. The sound quality of the CD unit is bad, and I suspect it has to do with the power harness not supplying the correct inputs to the unit. I think if I knew what input each pin required, I could make the thing work correctly. I believe the unit is fine, as I tried it in a late 90s model Explorer that had an identical unit. I removed the Explorer's original unit and popped mine in, and it sounded normal. I am told that the unit has a 24 Watt output, so it seems to me it should drive the original 4 Ohm speakers in my Grand Marquis without any trouble. But, I am beginning to wonder if the Explorer has a power amp of which I was not aware. Perhaps the CD unit does NOT have a 24-Watt output?? So, I think that either there is a power amp necessary (which the Explorer has?), or my power harness is not powering up the unit correctly. Thanks for your response!Don't wanna hear your "boom-boom," just wanna hear my "weeee-yaaah-deedle-dee."

If the HU powers up and functions, then it is being powered correctly.  There is nothing special about that HU, it is a Pioneer-designed Ford OEM part.  It is rated at 24 watts PEAK per channel (about 10 watts nominal) into 4-ohms and as far as I know is not normally used with outboard amplifiers.  The standard Metra 71-5600 into-radio wiring harness should work on it.Support the12volt.com