I want to add an FM-Modulated CD changer to a 1997 Ford excort factory radio.
The Unit is a Sony cx-550RF. I do not have the manual for it.
How difficult is it to access the antenna input on the radio. Will it have to be pulled out?
I have read you can use a specially bent wire hanger to pull the radio out instead of buying a special "ford factory" radio pullout tool. Is this acceptable?
As far as power, i guess I need an accessory power connection (ie radio) and a memory/always on power connection (such as lights) and of course, ground. Is it OK to tap into the fuse connections or should I go another route. There appears to be connector underneath the drivers seat..should I tap into this?
Any tips anyone could pass along would be of great help. I want to do this myself, but if it's too much of a major deal I will get a professional to take care of it for me.
Where are you going to mount the changer? As far as pulling out the radio to get to the antenna, unless you are really flexible, that is probably your best bet. I have used something similar to take the head unit out rather then buying the pullout tool. I used very small metal rods a little bigger then a hanger and bent just a little to remove the radio, but you can buy the tools pretty cheap at an auto parts store.
I don't remember if this vehicle has the tuner and amplifier in the trunk like the taurus' do, but you might want to double check that. The ford radio removal tools can be found at auto parts stores for like 4 bucks. use these or any homemade equivalent to pop the radio out real quick and check behind it.
If it has the tuner and amp in the trunk then that's gonna complicate things. Unless the cable that goes from the changer controller/display to the modulator is like 15 feet long then you might need an antenna extension cable so that you could mount the modulator up behind the dash.
I'm pretty sure, however, that you will not run in to any problems with this install. You can just tap in to the radio's harness for the constant and switched +12 volt, and the ground will need to be hooked up to the vehicle's chassis, near the changer itself.
The constant connection should be the harness's blue/red wire, and the switched connection should be the blue/black wire. Ground behind the radio is a black wire. As always, if you have any doubts verify these connections with a DMM beford splicing in to them.