Any way to fix/replace the cassette deck in a 4th Gen headunit?

benstalls · Jan 17, 2023

Got my MACH RCU and head unit with the cassette player and CD button for when I eventually get a PIE adapter (I think I found a place to get one, just waiting for it to hopefully ship...)

Long story short, the box the head unit came in was damaged, and the cassette player is broken. Is there any way to just get the cassette reader for the radio without replacing the whole radio? I tried to get it exchanged, but I got a refund instead. I would like to use a cassette adapter I have to play audio without the annoying static of an FM Transmitter.

Below: New head unit for reference before I took it out. The old radio is in the car now. I can post a picture of the piece that broke off when I get home today, it's a plastic black arm-looking piece.

Steve83 · Jan 19, 2023

What are you playing through the cassette adapter? Wouldn't it be easier to just update to a BT/WiFi/CarPlay/AndroidAuto head unit? Or use the CD input on that radio for a hardwire adapter?

benstalls · Jan 19, 2023

The cassette adapter takes Bluetooth audio in and puts it through the cassette player to be played in a sound system. It's the same principle as an AUX one, it's just Bluetooth.

I want to keep a mess of wires to a minimum, and my phone has no aux output. An AUX Bluetooth adapter has a USB power wire or an annoying rechargeable battery. So hacking a CD input isn't really a good option for me.

I'll consider an aftermarket head unit later. I think the metra kit with just a standard Single Din is really, really ugly. When I want to spend 400 dollars on a single din with a screen and wire up the mess, I will. For now I want to keep my only car as stock as possible.

Since I got a refund, I just bought a new one. Hopefully, this one lasts until I want to get a standard din radio.

Steve83 · Jan 21, 2023

It doesn't have to be $400; this is only $115+tax right now, and it works fine (but it does NOT have native TPMS, as the listing implies). https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2RSLBLH

I didn't like how the Metra kit for my car put the radio below the HVAC, so I got this kit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ATZJTOO

sheila · Jan 21, 2023

Steve83 said:
It doesn't have to be $400; this is only $115+tax right now, and it works fine (but it does NOT have native TPMS, as the listing implies). https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2RSLBLH

I didn't like how the Metra kit for my car put the radio below the HVAC, so I got this kit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ATZJTOO

^ That Am. Intl faceplate adapter kit is only $62 with Cap.1 savings..

rjacket · Jan 22, 2023

Does anyone else appreciate the irony that the young fella with the Taurus wants to keep it stock and fix the cassette, while the oldies prefer the aftermarket latest tech?

Steve83 · Jan 22, 2023

Who you callin' "oldie"?

Just because I watched the moon landings live...

chartmaker · Jan 22, 2023

I still remember where I was when the news about Sputnik. "1957".
-chart-

Any way to fix/replace the cassette deck in a 4th Gen headunit?

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