Sounds like maybe the Speakers didn't get plugged back in properly. They're all in the big square plug on the back, give that another look, I don't think can damage anything in what you did...

 

Sounds like you let the smoke out of the integrated amplifier

 

Yeah it’s pretty weird. On a factory 7.3 L radio unit I only have two plug-ins. the orange cable and then the black harness. It was only a 30 minute job I literally disconnected it changed my cluster lightbulb went back plugged it back in heard that popping noise since I forgot to disconnect the batteries. I was curious if there’s a security setting from the GEM. That module control security ,windows, locks, radio etc. maybe it’s in a protection mode thinking it’s being stolen? Is that even a thing? I might just disconnect the batteries today for a few hours plug it back in and see if it works. Then the next step I will have to takeoff the door panel and ohms test one of the speakers that will tell me right away if the speakers are good or bad. Again I didn’t mess with any of the speakers nothing I only took the radio unit in and out with the battery still connected. Super weird? Everything worked perfectly before I did this.

 

the later models have a shippping mode but I think that just parks the cd changer mechanism

even if it had security, it would likely let you know on the display

i would test the speakers real quick to make sure you did not take them out somehow
or test the peaker outputs with a meter or known good speaker

 

I completely agree

 

your sure you plugged it all back in /?

this is a ranger but should / may be the same

 

I would start with bench testing the radio on a known good speaker.

 

Just pulled a speaker put one wire on one and one wire on the other with a AAA battery in between and I hear noise come out of it so it Hass to be the radio unit somehow isn’t sending a signal?

 

Speaker

 

Has to be the radio unit something inside has to be bad or popped?? When I plug the harness in and out I hear the speakers marking noises. It’s gotta be the unit? I’ve unplugged and plugged it in 5 times moved wires ect nothin I’ll take apart the unit see if something is obviously broken or burned

 

There's a fuse for the radio in the underhood fuse box. I think the radio will light up with the key on, but won't make sound if the under hood fuse is popped.

The GEM has nothing to do with the radio other than the Delayed Accessory Buss control that keeps the radio on until a door is opened.

From your description of the work you performed, you shouldn't have smoked the radio.
You should check the wires at the radio connector for power. I have attached the .pdf for the radio wiring. The .pdf also shows the fuse numbers for a 99-2000. 2001-up is different.

 

There's a fuse for the radio in the underhood fuse box. I think the radio will light up with the key on, but won't make sound if the under hood fuse is popped.

The GEM has nothing to do with the radio other than the Delayed Accessory Buss control that keeps the radio on until a door is opened.

From your description of the work you performed, you shouldn't have smoked the radio.
You should check the wires at the radio connector for power. I have attached the .pdf for the radio wiring. The .pdf also shows the fuse numbers for a 99-2000. 2001-up is different.

All fuses are good.

 

Thank you I will look into this!

 

All great advice, but time is money.
if it were me, I would spend a couple hundo on an aftermarket unit and file that one in the trash.

 

 

Lol ya it’s pretty old

 

a new head unit is money well spent IMO and I suggest Pioneer, all of mine have lasted far past another units I have owned
heck my last one I moved to my wife's Tahoe 5 years after I bought it and wanted to upgrade lol

 

Pull the tape off that harness so you can see the mess about 6 inches down from the connector -- bet you will find the problem

Kinda goes along with the taped up antenna wire

 

Just for closer I put in the cheapest double din front and rear view cameras whalla llaa instant sound and now I have a touch screen and front and rear view cameras speakers are fine everything works. For what ever reason that unit died at the age of 21 years old.

 

Smart move, its really the best way to spend the money now a days.

 

Ya I really like it. Lol but it’s way to cheap should have bought a more expensive one 😂. But Bluetooth works. Front camera and rear camera with phone mirror 90$. Some times when it’s displaying google maps it freezes and has to reload but all in all leaps and bounds above what I did have in it. I always want to add a conclusion nothing more frustrating than an article that just goes dead but you are still dealing with the problem.