CD Player Installation in a 98 Ford Taurus

The stock stereo unit in the 1998 Ford Taurus (and Mercury sable) is an AM/FM radio with built-in CD player. Taurus owners who wish to upgrade their stock stereo units can choose to have the replacement handled by a professional car audio technician, or attempt the replacement themselves. Removal of the factory stereo requires the use of Ford DIN removal tools. You can fashion make-shift tools using a wire coat hanger and a pair of wire cutters.

Things You'll Need

• 10-mm socket wrench
• Ford DIN removal keys
• Wiring harness adapter
• Ford aftermarket stereo adapter

Instructions

1. Lift the Taurus' hood and loosen the bolt on the negative battery cable clamp with the wrench. Lift the cable from the negative battery terminal and set it aside. Move to the inside of the Ford.

2. Slide the Ford DIN removal tools (available at any Ford dealership service station or third party car audio outlet) into the holes at either end of the stereo's face. Push the keys into the openings until they snap into place. Pull outward on the keys and pull the stock head unit from the Ford's dashboard.

3. Unplug the two white plastic wire binders from the outlets on the back of the stereo unit. Remove the antenna cable lead from the antenna outlet on the back of the unit. Remove the two screws on either side of the stereo bracket with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Slide the stereo from the bracket to complete the removal.

4. Insert the Ford aftermarket stereo adapter into the factory stereo bracket. Replace the two screws into the sides of the bracket to secure the adapter inside. Slide the new head unit into the adapter until it snaps into place.

5. Plug the Taurus' stereo wiring connectors into the wiring harness adapter lead connectors. Plug the wiring harness adapter leads into the outlets on the rear panel of the new stereo. Plug the antenna cable lead into the FM antenna outlet on the back of the new unit.

6. Slide the entire stereo assembly into the dashboard stereo mounting dock. Press firmly on the outside of the trim panel that contains the newly installed stereo unit to snap it back into place within the dash. Return to the battery.

7. Place the negative battery cable clamp around the negative battery terminal. Tighten the bolt on the cable's clamp with the wrench. Close the Taurus' hood.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute the Ford DIN keys with a wire hanger if necessary. Cut two 10-inch sections of the hanger with wire cutters. Bend each piece into a "U" shape, leaving both ends level with each other. Slide the two prongs into the holes on the Ford's stereo instead of the pre-made Ford DIN tools.

References

• "Ford Taurus & Mercury Sable Auto Repair Manual 1996-2005"; Haynes; 2005
• Crutchfield: Car Stereo Installation Guide