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        General >> Problems >> RDS 7000 display has gone
        
(Message started by: Scramble on Jan 23^rd, 2009, 4:50pm)

Title: RDS 7000 display has gone
Post by Scramble on Jan 23^rd, 2009, 4:50pm

The display on my RDS7000 stereo went blank a few months back, but the unit kept playing CDs, so I didn't worry about it. (The radio had stopped a year or so ago). But when I changed the battery the other day, I forgot that I would have to enter my keycode and that this would now be impossible as I can't see the screen!

I tried to enter the code "blind", but no luck. I also tried putting the blowers on for a while, and heating it up with a hair dryer, suggestions which I saw on this forum, but they haven't worked.

Here's what's interesting. though. At first when the display started going, it just started to fade. But now that the new battery is in the display sometimes throws up random bits. None of it adds up to a word, or even looks like bits of words (the rest of which is invisible). There's enough of this happening to tell me that it isn't a problem with the liquid crystal itself, as the strength of these bits' display is strong. It now looks like there's something wrong with the unit itself.

Given this:

(1) is the unit fit only for the garbage bin, or is there a possibility of repair?

(2) If I should be looking for a replacement "head unit", can anyone suggest any current models that would fit the bill (assuming it's even possible to replace the head)? Or should I go for a replacement 7000 head, if any are still floating around?

(Desirable features: (a) hooks up to current steering column controls; (b) hooks up with the CD changer; (c) has Flash memory for mp3s, or at least a socket for an mp3 player).

(3) Is it best to do this through Ford, or a specialist car radio dealer?

Title: Re: RDS 7000 display has gone
Post by Scramble on Jan 23^rd, 2009, 8:39pm

Well, blow me down, I've tried the stereo again this evening and now the display has come back. I entered the keycode as quick as I could.

It did come back once before and then it went away again, so I'm not 100% confident it will stay, but the radio is now working again, so that gives me confidence. Looks like it was a problem with the old battery not delivering enough power.

At the very least I can play CDs again!

Title: Re: RDS 7000 display has gone
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 23^rd, 2009, 8:46pm

hi there

this happens quite a lot now because of the age of the units.

i've just had to change mine recently.

i'd run your car with the a/c on to keep the interior dryer.

hth

Title: Re: RDS 7000 display has gone
Post by Scramble on Jan 23^rd, 2009, 8:51pm

Perhaps, then, it was the blowing of the hairdryer on the stereo for ten minutes this afternoon that did it (even if it took another few hours to completely dry out enough)?

Title: Re: RDS 7000 display has gone
Post by scorpio_man on Jan 23^rd, 2009, 8:55pm

hi there

i 'fixed' mine like that, but when it went a 2nd time, it never came back, hence the replacement.

hth

Title: Re: RDS 7000 display has gone
Post by Jonnycab on Jan 24^th, 2009, 1:39pm

Next time it goes blank try this.......Take the front panel off & remove the actual LCD screen from the panel. Place the screen in a sealable freezer bag & stick it in the freezer for a few hours or overnight. When suitably frost bitten, remove from freezer & let it thaw out for a while & dab it with kitchen towel to remove condensation, then put it all back together.

I did this a couple of months back with my blank screen & it's been working fine ever since :)

Title: Re: RDS 7000 display has gone
Post by mijfife on Jan 24^th, 2009, 7:04pm

My display has been pretty much dead since I got the car but does occasionally flicker back into some sort of life from time to time! I've entered the code blind several times and it's really easy, just count the button presses that correspond to the digits then press button 5 to store, it always works for me :)

Cheers Jim

Title: Re: RDS 7000 display has gone
Post by Scramble on Jan 25^th, 2009, 3:30pm

Johnnycab, what's the reasoning behind your method?

(I might have to try it, my display is playing up again).

Title: Re: RDS 7000 display has gone
Post by Jonnycab on Jan 25^th, 2009, 8:34pm

on 01/25/09 at 15:30:22, Scramble wrote:

Johnnycab, what's the reasoning behind your method?

Don't ask me why it worked because I haven't got a clue ::)....all I know is, for some reason it worked 8)

I'm sure there must be someone on here who's brainy enough to know why LCDs can sometimes come back to life if they're frozen for a while :)

Title: Re: RDS 7000 display has gone
Post by Scramble on Jan 25^th, 2009, 8:48pm

So presumably you read or heard about this method somewhere, and you didn't just come up with it as a crazy idea on your own? ::)

Title: Re: RDS 7000 display has gone
Post by Jonnycab on Jan 26^th, 2009, 12:29am

My ideas aren't crazy.......well most aren't ::)...... ;D

I read somewhere on the web that mobile phones with dodgy screens seem to right themselves after being in the deep freeze for a few hours, so I thought I'd try it with the screen on the 7000 :)

Low & behold, it worked :D

I wonder if it will work with a dimming rear view mirror that has started to go a bit funny ? :-/.......... ;)

P.S....apparently works with dead hard drives as well & brings them back to life long enough to retrieve data before they die again.