2012 Ford Focus Radio Popping & Staticing Possible Repair Fix

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Song used for outro : Bubble Walk
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[@georgewashington421]

EXACTLY what my grand-daughters 2012 Ford Focus does (did). Ford Focus Radio = JUNK!! In her case, weak battery + several months of this radio issue = dead battery. The radio designer must have needed to keep a HOT B+ on the radio (regardless of ignition key on/off/acc) to keep the volatile memory alive, neglecting to see the circuit vulnerability allowing HOT voltage to access other circuits, keeping the amplifier ON. JUNK, JUNK, JUNK. Thanks for the video, most helpful!

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Thanks for watching.

[@chocolatemilk2076]

Mine never worked when I hot the car plugged in a aftermarket killed the battery with the radio off so I wired a socket fuse and shut it off directly at the fuse box and my battery no longer get killed

[@otineb5]

Thank you so much for posting this video, I may end up trying what you just posted, because I am experiencing the same exact problem.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Hope it works for you, I sold this car.

[@alexanderquilty5705]

Best move ever ^

[@TerrySmith-em4ph]

Good research, you are proactive for sure, just a good ole boy way of doing things, Good Luck

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Thanks 👍

[@dvvalant]

My 2014 Focus radio made the horrible popping, cracking noise. I removed the radio and replaced the two audio output ICs. I also added a good quantity of heat sink compound behind each of these chips. It's only been a couple days but so far so good. Replacing those ICs isn't for everyone. I'm a retired electronics tech and even I had plenty of difficulty with replacing those chips.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

These Cars Have A lot of Recalls.

[@Sean006]

My brothers Ford radio is draining the battery. Took the radio out and connected to external 12V psu, the amps are oscillating rythmically every second like a metronome (0 to 1Amp). The heatsink attached to the two audio IC's is getting warm. I think I may try replacing these two chips, but seems quite a task. Well done for fixing it. I may suggest my brother gets an aftermarket radio instead! 👍 PS Board looks perfect. No popped caps or corrosion. But is 2007.

[@cn6130]

hello iseekoutthetruth I love watching your videos you tube video it look cool. I have just subscribed to your you tube channel last week am your new you tube video supporter . I love watching your videos in you tube.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Thanks for watching and for subbing, I am glad you are enjoying my videos. I upload Monday thru Thursday, today I uploaded to see if anyone knows how to fix my car radio.

[@BeeHiverson]

Thanks for the video man!

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Thanks fir watching.

[@chadw6448]

The heat paste transfers heat to the box casing of the metal box..the box will help dissipate heat with new heat paste

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

threw it away and sold the car.

[@dominic150]

Those need the radio casing to dissipate heat. That’s normal for them to get hot. Take a wire brush and go over the entire board. Make sure it’s unplugged first. If you are wondering why, research tin whiskers

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

i thru it in the garbage and sole the car.

[@paparooster9569]

Sometimes you can re heat the board, dryer and put new paste on

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I threw it in the garbage and sold the car.

[@patricknesbitt4003]

Those "things" you say are hot are the final output I.C's. They're what actually amplifies the signals. They WILL get hot if they're not firmly attached to the heat sink. If one or both get EXTREMELY hot while powered on with volume at minimum it's probably faulty. Bad final amps can make some pretty unforgettable sounds in their death throes.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I sold this Car.

[@EddieLeal]

Having the same issue in my 2014 Ford Focus SE. Info I have found on this issue thus far has stated the amp/amp wiring being the culprit

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

The radio is Garbage. Threw mine away and sold the car.

[@morikayradio]

Were you able to get it fixed?

[@derrickjones3505]

Mori Anderson were you able to get it fixed?

[@morikayradio]

@@derrickjones3505 Hi Derrick! I sure wasn't. I changed the fuses as shown just above. I am dreading having to take it in to Cartunes! >_

[@zecatarino6548]

Heads up for my theory. I strongly believe that the 2 integrated amplifiers go nuts, after the silicone compound dries up where it connects to the radio casing as a conveyor heat dissipator. So, those integrated amplifiers heat too much and cease working. They cost $3 each. I have a radio problem and I am going to replace both folks. Please have a calyfragilisticexpialispectacular week !

[@coondogtheman]

You can try to change those ICs out. One or both may be bad. Worth a shot. Are you worried about the radio? I bought a car stereo at walmart for $50 and I'm going to hook it up in the garage. I have a nice pair of speakers. If you can handle close solder joints you can try but might void your warranty and you'll have no radio. What kind of soldering iron do you have?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I am not worried about my radio, but I'm not spending $50 on a new radio. I have just a regular looking solder iron.

[@coondogtheman]

@@Iseekoutthetruth the one I have is the one they sell at walmart and the solder is in the plastic tube thingy. If you want to give it a shot you can but if you mess up you'll have no radio. Just watch the solder points. They look very fine on that chip. Maybe change the larger chip first. One looks like a preamp and the larger one the main amp IC.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@@coondogtheman This is the stock radio, there is no warranty on this radio, it does not work now, I do not have the IC chips, I would have to order them but they are from china, I could careless about this radio, I can use my phone to listen to th radio if i want. i will not be spending money on a new radio.

[@coondogtheman]

@@IseekoutthetruthIt looks like the pins on the ICs are thru-hole mount which is very easy. You'll need a solder sucker as well and the two chips. Go to town man since the radio doesn't work anyway.

[@Kaphooey]

Good tips dude. Still helping out 2 years later

[@200103511]

Looks like there was originally a heat sync attached to them, what's why there are remnants of the thermal paste. If you bought some new heat syncs & thermal paste, it should fix the issue. They would keep the transistors in the small amp chips cooler so they wouldn't overheat. Normally transistors generate immense amounts of heat when in operation & have heat syncs attached to them due to this reason

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

These radios are garbage, ford knows about it and dont care. Threw it in the garbage.

[@inazuma1]

They sit directly against the outer case. I took mine apart and it seems like the outer case (metal) is the "heatsink" lol

[@roniclark6514]

@@inazuma1 when you took it apart did you put new paste on did it work?

[@inazuma1]

@@roniclark6514 yes, for a few months. Ended up buying a used radio from a Ford c max on ebay and it's been working fine ever since.

[@jasonscott7542]

Those things are normally hot. The back pad with the thermal paste uses the metal radio case as a heatsink to dissipate heat. Not saying it couldnt be the issue, but they do get hot.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Took the radio out and thru it in the trash.

[@rickduke1081]

Did total removal of radio make the scratching and popping quit? Thank You!!!

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@@rickduke1081 yes

[@timdegraff5483]

Audio control module. Getting mine replaced today

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Threw mine in the garbage and sold the car.

[@aniahkayearchives]

Tim Degraff Did it work?

[@ianlouden7939]

unlikely the Power amp ic is at fault - when these go they usually go with a bang and never work again, the bigger NXP chip is the power amplifier and the other smaller IC is a voltage regulator, the heat sinking for these is only just about adequate (there was no money in the pot to improve the heat sinks). These units did have another design weakness, one that was copied over when Ford found an even cheaper supplier for their radios (I guess to save development costs they took the fast route) and did not follow the design guidance provided. The later head units do not last as long, especially if you live in a warm climate!

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

i tossed it in the trash and sold the car.

[@domingogranados8143]

I own a 2013 ford focus and my radio recently started popping and cuting off so i did some research and found out there is a connection on the left side of the steering column under the turn signal little a bit closer to the dash , it can become loose over time its not the acm (audio control module) but it is connected to the ignition if you mess with it at first it seems like a wire is loose but it is the whole module. I've been at it all day and finally got my radio working after i figured it wasn't a wire issue but the whole module the part number im assuming is u3nfa and it pops up as a ignition module of some sort but after some jurry rigging (zip ties) my radio is working again ill be heading to the junkyard and see if a replacement will work

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

cool, i threw my radio in the garbage and just recently sold the car.

[@angelf5186]

Iseekoutthetruth do you miss ur car? Mine is doing the same

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@@angelf5186 no, I do not miss it. I got a better car, Honda CRV.

[@theofficialdjcj]

Did it work tho???

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@theofficialdjcj no

[@bladedspokes]

Did you put new thermal compound on the chips when you reinstalled them?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

nope, I threw it in the garbage and sold the car.

[@OxaudioPhilly]

They are essentially mosfets that your referring to. Most likely thats not the problem. Typically its the square chips with more pins, like 120ish pins that come loose. Essentially they are the processors. All of these ford radios and any of these years are junk. We replace them almost weekly these days.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Sold the car.

[@caleblopes5660]

My 2011 F150 XLT same issue. I truly can't find a fix on OEM. So....Crutch field's and 2 bills plus will be my fix.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I just listen to the radio on my phone now.

[@steverayburn4138]

Those are audio output chips. They will get very hot and burn out if not attached to the heat sinks. Look very close to where the chips are soldered to the board with a magnifying glass to look for broken solder joints. A broken solder joint is what is causing the problem with the radio.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I sold The Car and Threw The Radio In The Trash.

[@steverayburn4138]

Actually one of those chips is a voltage regulator and the other is the output. But if it helps anyone out there…I removed the radio from my 2014 Ford Focus yesterday to attempt a repair. It had started making frying sounds with the ignition switch turned off and no one in the car. The solder in this radio is very hard to work with but can be done. I was unable to find the exact location of the broken solder joint that was causing the problem but found several areas of suspicion. I re-soldered each leg on both chips pointed out on the video and each leg on both of the connectors and the legs to each of the capacitors in the radio. Re-installed and works perfectly.

[@steverayburn4138]

@@Iseekoutthetruth I guess I was a couple years too late but maybe the info might help someone else. I watched your video before I decided to attempt mine to get an idea of what I was dealing with so thanks for the video

[@jacobkrueger2008]

@@steverayburn4138 Is it still holding up after your repair?

[@danbunzel4105]

Did a new radio fix the issue? Other blogs on this issue stated that even replacing the radio didn’t fix the issue. Just curious about your experience. Thanks

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Never bought another radio, I use my phone now.

[@michaelelliott289]

I heard people have had good luck with replacement radios. Yet, like some manufacturers they get bad or poor made parts. That's some of the things the U.S. is always fighting with these our countries about poor quality car parts. Examples, air bags, ignition switches, and ect.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@@michaelelliott289 no Quality in America today.

[@Americanmade1997]

I GET YHE EXACT SAME THING!!! god it pisses me off

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I threw mine away and sold the car.

[@BeeHiverson]

Same mine does this wether the radio is powered on or not. Focus is a pile of trash

[@mizantednioc]

That is funny because i came to the same conclusion. Did you get any updates on that?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

no. I ended up throwing it in the garbage.

[@Drifter5.7]

I have had more garbage cans fix my junk radios LOL. I wouldn't mess with it, I would just get a replacement that will have a warranty on it.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I have no intentions on spending any kind of money on a replacement Radio, I listen to podcast on my phone while driving than i Listen to the Radio. I made this video to see if anyone who likes to repair car radios see's my videos and says, yea that will fix it, than i will spend the $6 dollars and repair it lol.

[@EddieLeal]

@@Iseekoutthetruth 😆

[@ohbabeissmokin]

Did you figure this out?? My horn stopped working at the same time the radio did the static pop thing!! I'm tired of being my own rock band in the car...lol...

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I thre it in the garbage and use my phone now to listen to the radio.

[@ohbabeissmokin]

@@Iseekoutthetruth

[@ohbabeissmokin]

Okay.... maybe you have the answer, so im going to ask you first! I noticed that if I don't use any other keys on my key chain, it happens less frequently, and when it does snap crackle and pop, if i reach down where I can adjust the telescoping on my steering wheel and jiggle the wires that attach to my cylinder to start the car, it stops. Could this be a short in the key cylinder causing all this chaos?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@@ohbabeissmokin maybe

[@alaynamudd4156]

My horn did the same thing as yours. No radio, no horn. But all of a sudden, months later, my horn started working again. 🤷🏼‍♀️ The radio still pops and cracks though.

[@alexisorozco9101]

My car usually plays music for a good 30 minutes and then after that it starts popping and then music plays for a few secs and then it pops again. Any ideas what could be causing that?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

No idea, Fords radios are garbage. Threw mine in the garbage and sold the car.

[@isaarunarom7830]

This is the problem if had for 5years with a 2012 ford fiesta se. Works for the first 20minutes maybe 30 minutes then it pops out for 1-3 seconds then works for 2-4 seconds before popping out for a few seconds again. I have to remove key, open and close door to shut off power to it completely then wait about 30minutes before turning ignition again to get maybe 30minutes of uninterrupted use.

[@demonj.hernandez1851]

Rrmoved fuse 79 and it looks butt out. Replaceing it hope it works. Fingers crossed.🤞

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

🤞

[@mett1982]

Did this fix the problem?

[@brokenrhyme1336]

Did it work??

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Nope.

[@DrPoopee79]

I found a video where a guy puts the circuit board in his oven - 8 minutes at 385°F... says it fixed it. Gonna try next time mine quits, it keeps coming back to life on its own

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Thru mine in trash and sold the car. To many recall on these Ford Focus.

[@chodge8366]

2014 ford transit. same radio same static and amp popping. radio doesnt work at all noise continues even with truck off and car doors remotely locked

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

yup, threw mine in the garbage.

[@christinasatterfield6711]

I had to take all radio fuses out to make the noise stop

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@@christinasatterfield6711 I just took the radio out and it stopped.

[@meza5207]

Replacing with aftermarket helps ?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

No Idea, I sold The Car Not Long After This issue.

[@rogerd8121]

After market radios the only way to go my daughter 2013 focus makes popping noise

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I threw it away, I use my cell phone now.

[@steff271]

@@Iseekoutthetruth you say you use your phone now but can you still play it through speakers or do you need the radio for that?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@@steff271 you need the radio for that. I sold this car.

[@christinasatterfield6711]

It's the audio control module

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I threw it in the garbage.

[@kailim4109]

Can you tell me about the problem & what the fix is?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@@kailim4109 the problem was, Ford made a garbage radio, it started popping and making crackling noises. I took the radio out and threw it away, I than sold the car. No one knows why these radios do this.

[@e.k2801]

I have no Volume in my Radio, the knoob and wheel steering stay at 0. Is that Same Problem ?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

This Radio is garbage and The ford Focus has a lot of Recalls.

[@danyellpaige]

That’s more likely a fuse issue then a amp problem

[@helshaven5516]

Mine would do it as soon as I turned my car on after being off all night, had to pull out a fuse to keep it from doing it since it would do it even with my car and radio turned off. So it might not be because it's getting too hot, at least not in my case.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Garbage Car and Radio. I sold mine.

[@danielofminnesota]

Which fuse did you remove to get the static and popping to stop?

[@ema9834]

Shiiit maaan when I saw that u just fixed it unplugging the cd player I runned in the garage to test it and it didn’t worked 😂😂😂 so sad and yeah, I already saw that u sold it… I don’t what else to check.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Take it out and put in a after market radio.

[@RedLightning]

So you said you ended up throwing it out? But you are still able to connect your phone to your car? I've got a 2013 Focus and i had this problem for awhile, then the popping / static got real bad and it'd cut out all audio too until i turned my car back on. Now the radio wont even turn on at all. Any ideas man? Idk how they can release a radio like that...

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I threw mine in the trash. My phone is not connected to my car I just use wireless ear buds and listen to the radio on my phone. I dont need a radio in my car now.

[@EddieLeal]

@@Iseekoutthetruth Same here.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@@EddieLeal 👍

[@WannabeSparky]

My 2012 Focus has thre radio work on and off and sometimes it even output SUPER loud static through the speakers ever when the car is off. Anyone have any advice or suggestion? Is the whole radio junk or is it salvageable?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

its Junk.

[@chrismorine5406]

So this is exactly what happened to mine and now the radio is completely dead I put up with it for a year but I’m gonna dig in and try and figure it out

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@@chrismorine5406 its garbage.

[@khoraaaa]

literally dealing with the same thing, it’s so fkn annoying

[@kaylabronson4261]

mine has gotten so bad I’m scared to drive it. I’m so lost on where to proceed with it. It’s like a screeching static. Got so loud I pulled over and got out the car. (2012 Ford Focus SFE)

[@lisalisa5967]

What was your out come?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

threw it in the Garbage and sold the car.

[@Reaglesracing44_]

it’s a common problem

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

its very common and no one showing how or why its does this.

[@calmarsh7853]

Just buy a after market head unit .you can get everything at walmart or bestbuy. The factory radios are crap

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Just like I said in the video, i have NO Desire to waste money on a new Radio, I have better things to do with my money lol.

[@calmarsh7853]

Iseekoutthetruth parts to repair it will cost moe than a new one but understand have blessed day .you might find one in a junkyard

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

A new one is a couple hundred dollars, those circuit thingy's are only a couple of dollars. I will just use my phone before buying another radio tho.

[@RDMGAMER]

Cal Marsh repaired it for 8 bucks. So don’t know what you talking about.

[@fritztopher]

The Game Show Host how

[@alanmiller366]

whats the model number on the radio

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

dont know, I threw it in the trash and sold the car.

[@DuttonWebb]

Did you ever order those parts?

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

closure., thru it in the garbage. Had a radio guy tell me that wont fix it.

[@RDMGAMER]

Iseekoutthetruth see your radio guy is a moron. I came here trying to fix mine. As soon as you opened it up I knew what was wrong with every single one of these. They use thermal paste to the side of the case on those amplifier heat syncs. I build computers so as soon as I saw that I knew what would fix it. The problem is with thermal paste is once it drys out and cracks it’s worse than having none at all. Because the cracks create air bubbles where the heat can’t transfer. So cleaned mine with rubbing alcohol used thermal paste I already had for cpus. And not my radio turns on and it has not cracked or popped once in three hours. You were correct your radio guy was not.

[@RDMGAMER]

Iseekoutthetruth you threw away something that just needed new paste. CPUs on gaming computers need it once every year to keep the heat down. These don’t need it that much. However with all the vibrations from bumps and driving it’s going to need it from time to time.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

@@RDMGAMER i use my phone to listen to the radio now, it works just fine.

[@aliesmaili5018]

@@RDMGAMER thanks for you input, i'll definitely try to remove and add more thermal paste to it and see if it works

[@bradhardisty1652]

My 2014 Ford Focus got worse, great amount of white noise, tried to reset. Now no sound at all, either amps are out or the protection circuit kicked in and no sound. Probably going to put in a new OEM

[@christinasatterfield6711]

There are 1000s of complaints on the focus radios they need to be recalled, it almost caused me to wreck it pooped so loud

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I took mine out and threw it away.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Yea mine popped really loud also.

[@daddy2threeprodigies]

It's part of the ground problem they all have

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Its Garbage.

[@jessesan2003]

Thats why they call it heavy metal music. 😂

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

lol

[@roxannekuk9431]

My radio is never on and it still does the crackling..

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

These radios Are Garbage.

[@stephaniepooch5132]

Maybe replace the whole board

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

you would have to buy the whole radio for that?

[@justmike57]

Most people upgrade their stereo system for a better quality sound from their phone. You on the other hand, don't listen to the radio. So, do it for a video that proves you can fix garbage and have a radio again for the wife and kids.

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

My phone has great audio for the radio, my kids can listen to their cell phones I dont care lol.

[@justmike57]

@@Iseekoutthetruth So why did you ask about fixing it. Throw it away and put a stuffed Bat figure in the hole, How cool would that be!

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

There is No Hole there, I want to fix it only if someone who knows about this electronic type stuff, but I do not want to waste my money on these parts if that will not do the trick, maybe someone will have these parts and send them to me lol.

[@bridgettep.3587]

These Fords Fiesta's, Focus' are horribly manufactured.. i have a 2014, purchased brand new... as soon as i took mines off lot, 1 day later my speakers were staticky.. I've had nothing BUT problems with this car.. i had taken this car in 44 times due to PROBLEMS.. THEY SOLD ME A DOGGONE LEMON...

[@bridgettep.3587]

Hecky, i was so frustrated, i had to write a letter to the headquarters BUT nothing was done!

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I sold mine and bought a Honda CRV.

[@randyhughes5160]

Really you won’t spend 10.00 to try to fixit

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

I listen to the radio on my phone for free, I'll never spend anything on this to fix it.

[@randyhughes5160]

And all this time I thought you made videos ok

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Hughes don't understand this comment.

[@jayj4439]

I'd much rather ride with no radio than drive another mile with these shitty radios! I'll put a whole new radio in there!

[@Iseekoutthetruth]

Yup