Ford Ranger radio question
 

The radio in a work associate's 2007 Ranger only plays when the transmission lever is in Park or Neutral. This just started today, as she was driving in to work this morning. The radio switches on and off distinctly as the gear shift is moved thru its various notches. It corresponds to the neutral safety switch.

Didn't have any tools with me this morning to remove the radio or pull the lower dash cover off so I could see anything.

Both fuses for the radio ( Start, and Run/Accy) are good.

My guess is that there is a bad ground and the radio is grounding thru the neutral safety switch, but I have no idea where the ground should be. Most radios have redundant grounds- the wiring harness, an extra ground wire, plus the grounded sheath on the antenna connection.

Any help would be appreciated.

More info...
While driving this morning, when she put the left turn signal on and hit the brakes, the radio came on and stayed on.

Ahhhh! A "National Public Radio" type of unit.:rolleyes:

This might be a long shot, but I had an older model ranger with similar activity once, look hard at the cruise control. It has both gearshift and brake inputs... If it shares something with the radio...

MV

Multi function Switch
 

Pull the lower cover under the steering wheel and check the plug connections for the Multi function Switch (Turn, cruise, etc) on the Left side of the wheel. There was a recall issue with overheating of the switch connections and melting of the connector causing electric havoc. No ground for turn signals, radio, dash lights, etc.

Advice-remove the Multi function switch stalk and break apart the plastic of the connector and do the same on the wheel side if it is also melted.. Free up the spade connectors within the plastic and replace any needed with crimp on male and female spade connectors and wrap all with tape and reinstall the Multi function Switch by plugging each connector into its mate.

This is a known Ford Ranger issue and typical of FoMoCo electrics. Remember they had faulty ignition switches that would short and burn your car to cinders in your garage but FoMoCo said it was no big deal!

Ha! Brilliant!

Thanks.
That has the sound of authenticity.

Pleased to be of service
 

Hope this works!

I had a 02 Ranger with the same problem and this fixed the issue.

Awesome...LMAO!!