cooooop_ks

Yes, I am interested if you want to try to locate part numbers. I would like
to keep the factory radio look if at all possible. Thanks, Cooooop_KS

FordEngineer

Okay, a few things:

**DISCLAIMER: I am not a SDARS expert. Take these suggestions for what they're worth, and perform all self-diagnostic procedures at your own risk. I have no problem helping out, but I am not a substitute for the dealer.

1.) Looking at the service manual, there's a different part number for the ACM depending on whether it's a "single CD (18C869), Satellite Audio (18C815), or 6CD with Nav (18K931)". Something about that last configuration doesn't seem right, but I digress...

To determine your ACM part number, put the radio in AM/FM mode, then press and hold preset buttons 3 and 6 for 3 seconds (a speaker test will begin). Before that test is complete, pressing the #6 preset button will give you the ACM part number, among other configuration details. Press the Tune Up button to scroll through them all. To exit this diagnostic mode, turn the radio off, then back on.

Anyway, I'm not sure if you need a whole ACM replacement or if your ACM can be 're-flashed' to become SDARS-enabled once the antenna hardware is added. If it needs to be replaced, it's not a small or trivial part (see attached picture #1 to see what the ACM looks like). If you can, try to see if your ACM has a SDARS Electronic Serial Number (ESN), indicating the presence of a daughter card. To do this, put the radio in 'satellite radio' mode, then press and hold the AUX button and #1 preset button simultaneously. If an ESN appears on the screen, it would indicate (to me) the presence of a daughter card, and may spare you from replacing the entire ACM.

2.) I can't tell whether or not the transmission cable (from antenna to ACM) is included on ALL vehicle wiring harnesses (and not used in some cases), or if it's ONLY in the harnesses for vehicles with SDARS. In the event of the latter, I've seen demonstrations where the satellite antenna had to be outside, so a single wire (maybe 18 gauge?) was used to connect the antenna to the head unit, and this wire was run out a window/door/etc to get the antenna outside. I say this because the manual doesn't show any part number for a satellite antenna cable--only special front and rear connector cables (see pictures #2 and #3).

3.) In the case of picture #3, the electrical connector seems to be attached to the main wiring harness that services the trunk (the view is from the 'interior' of the vehicle looking back into the trunk). If you can, have a look and see if this connector is present on your vehicle. If it's not, you might be in for a lot of work to make it happen, but a dealer would know best.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

fallen888

So after calling around a few Ford dealers, they referred me to their audio/video install guy. For $390 (about $320 for parts he said) he installed the Sirius tuner, antenna and some other module (all Ford manufacturer parts - no after-market crap). Everything is nicely integrated into the dash/console and beats shelling out $3K for the Premium model just for satellite radio.

NickelDime

Oh, but the MyColor is worth the extra $2,610

wilkinda

Pssst... check again, you get alot more than just the Sirius for that almost $3k.

cooooop_ks

Did you have the satellite capable radio before the upgrade?

USAF in Germany

Don't want hi jack the thread, but I have a question concerning satellite radio. My car should arrive in Dec-Jan timeframe. Will I be able to get the service in Europe?

robinsonda1

Unfortunately not. It's only good in North America, I had XM in my civic Si when I was over there and it didn't work, neither did my Nav.

USAF in Germany

I figured that was the answer, but hoped I was wrong. Oh well, I still have my IPOD