Stock Mach Stereo issues (2003 GT)

Jacob Joiner · Mar 18, 2013

I have an 03 GT mustang and I am having a issue with the stock mach stereo that comes in them (6-CD changer). The CD player has quit working. It wont load, eject, or play CD's at all. I dont even hear the motor inside of it even attempting to work anymore. I have done a decent amount of research on this issue and it seems to be a very common issue with this stereo. I am more or less just looking for some suggestions on what my options are. I really like the stock stereo look more so than the aftermarket stereos I can go purchase (exp. Best Buy). I have looked on American Muscle, Mustangs Unlimited, eBay/amazon and finding a replacement seems nearly impossible.

Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

89lxsport50 · Mar 18, 2013

Try turning it off and disconnecting the battery for a few minutes. It will probably work when reconnected. Mine did the same thing recently, and works fine now.

n0v8or · Mar 18, 2013

There's always the "upgrade" option.

When my 2003 factory "Mach" 6-CD changer began to misbehave, I saw that as an opportunity. CDs are an anachronism. A cheap ($6) 8G USB flash drive will hold the equivalent of ~75 disks of music. Receivers and harness kits are available that will permit the head unit to be upgraded without any other changes. This one, once the equalizer was adjusted, sounds identical to the Mach system with the factory head unit. It drives the factory Mach amplifiers and speakers just fine.

The light blue object at the lower left of the image is the flash drive plugged into a console-mounted USB socket. It can be unplugged and replaced with an iPod. I don't miss CDs at all.

trinity_gt · Mar 18, 2013

The CD changer in my '460, like most people's, is FUBAR too. I once took it out and did some poking and prodding, thought I was onto something with finding loose-looking rubber drive belts and so on but I never really did solve the problem in the end.

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/mach-460-cd-error.824029/

I might pull it out again this spring and have another go at it.

1987stangman · Mar 21, 2013

n0v8or said:
There's always the "upgrade" option.

When my 2003 factory "Mach" 6-CD changer began to misbehave, I saw that as an opportunity. CDs are an anachronism. A cheap ($6) 8G USB flash drive will hold the equivalent of ~75 disks of music. Receivers and harness kits are available that will permit the head unit to be upgraded without any other changes. This one, once the equalizer was adjusted, sounds identical to the Mach system with the factory head unit. It drives the factory Mach amplifiers and speakers just fine.

The light blue object at the lower left of the image is the flash drive plugged into a console-mounted USB socket. It can be unplugged and replaced with an iPod. I don't miss CDs at all.

+1 on that. If you decide to replace it get a multimedia head unit. I use an 80gb IPOD on mine and rarely have the need to add new music and it's 1000 times easier to navigate on the touch screen than USB. The line plugs into the back of the unit and the routed into the glove box to keep the IPOD out of view. I used the stock mach audio for a bit but ended up with all new speakers and a sub in the trunk with 2 amps. I spend about 45 min each way to work so having a good sounding system with upgrade options was important.

I have not used CD's in many years myself.

jmc01gt · Mar 25, 2013

I've tried to replace the HU in my Mach car but the subs just make this ungodly reverberation/pulsation/sound like they are at max volume and trying to push as hard constantly. I have the install harness from Crutchfield and the new HU has preamps for F,R, and Sub...The issue only happens when I hook the RCA's into the sub output, but if I hook into the other ones I can't filter out the bass from the tweeters...just looking for a solution that doesn't involve purchasing more components because if that's the case I might as well chase the rabbit down the hole and redo the whole system.

Stock Mach Stereo issues (2003 GT)

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Stock Mach Stereo issues (2003 GT)

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