Premium Sound Radio System - Unique Features

83ford22 Article No. 83-5-6


RADIO SYSTEM (PREMIUM SOUND) - UNIQUE FEATURES FOR 1983


FORD 1983 T-BIRD, LTD, FAIRMONT, MUSTANG, FORD, ESCORT, EXP, TEMPO

LINCOLN-MERCURY 1983 COUGAR, MARQUIS, ZEPHYR, CAPRI, MERCURY, LINCOLN, MARK VI, LYNX, LN7, TOPAZ

LIGHT TRUCKS 1983 ECONOLINE

Some confusion exists regarding the features of the premium sound amplifier and the proper number of speakers amplified by the system for 1983 vehicles. The number of speakers amplified may vary from two to six, depending on the radio installed and the vehicle model the radio is installed in.

^ The 1983 radio does not have the "Dolby" noise reduction feature available in the FM mode on the radio. In 1983, the "Dolby" noise reduction feature is only available in the electronically tuned cassette tape radios and the double-D symbol only appears during the cassette tape operation when the "Dolby" noise reduction system is activated.

^ Beginning Job #1, 1983, a new premium sound system was released for Thunderbird/XR7, LTD/Marquis, Fairmont/Zephyr and Mustang/Capri vehicles. With this new system, the output of the radio is wired directly to the amplifier; whereas, the previous system was wired through the switch to the amplifier.

A failure of the new Premium Sound amplifier will result in no output from two or more speakers. This loss of output occurs with or without the Premium Sound on. It should also be noted that the indicator light is a LED (Light Emitting Diode) and must be connected for the premium sound to work. Consequently, if 12 volts are applied directly to the LED for the purpose of testing, it will burn out and the Premium Sound will not work. The LED may be checked for continuity with an ohmmeter as indicated in Section 35-01, "Premium Sound Indicator Does Not Work" procedure of the 1983 Car Shop Manual. Dealership technicians should be aware of these concerns before removing a radio
chassis and consult the shop manual for the appropriate corrective actions.



^ The 1983 radios with Premium Sound system will feature a variation of speaker amplification depending on the vehicle line and type of radio chassis, manual tune radio (MTR) or electronic tune radio (ETR), Refer to the following chart.

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WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"