my husbands birthday is coming up and his radio in his 2019 Ford Fiesta is broken. The screen doesnt turn on anymore and the radio does not work. I want to buy him a replacement so he can listen to music but i have no clue what to look for or what would fit, i am very stupid when it comes to cars to any help would be appreciated!
Not a stupid question at all! Did you check the radio fuse? It could be the issue if the radio isn’t working.
Got it, if the fuse looks fine and even replaced, then replacing the actual radio seems like the next step. Hopefully, that solves the problem!
Do you know which radio model your car is equipped with? Is it Sync 2.5 or 3? Before purchasing any replacement hardware, it’s a good idea to check all the cables going to the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module). It would be a shame to buy a new unit only to find out the issue was that the unit wasn’t receiving power.
Europe or American model?
its a 2019 Ford Fiesta SE hatchback. not sure if that helps lol
Ah, so it’s the American version, or Mk7 in Europe. Replacing the radio head unit can vary in difficulty depending on the model. In the EU Mk8, it’s absurdly easy, but with the Mk7, the dashboard is quite different, which could make the process more complicated. A cheap one from a scrapyard could be a good option, but make sure you check the compatibility before starting the replacement. It might not be as straightforward as in the Mk8!
Did you try disconnecting the battery, letting it sit overnight, and then reconnecting it to try again? It’s worth a shot since it’s free! If that doesn’t work, the next step would be to check the fuses.
Got it! If you’re looking for the name and size of the radio, you’ll want to check the model of your current head unit, which should be labeled on the back or in the settings. For Ford vehicles, common sizes are Single DIN or Double DIN, but make sure to check compatibility with your car’s dashboard and wiring. After that, you can search for the specific replacement unit. Enjoy getting your new radio!
It sounds like you’ve made a good observation! Since you noticed a loose connection in the dash screen, the first step would definitely be to remove the fascia and gently wiggle the connector and wires. A loose connection could very well be the issue, and it’s not surprising at all. Once you check that, hopefully, the issue will be resolved without needing to replace the whole unit.