How do you install a CD player in a 2002 Ford Taurus - Sable?

Answer 1

I would highly recommend that you explore your options of using an experienced installer before taking on this project yourself. If you want to try it yourself...

You will need to buy a set (2) of Ford stereo removal tools. They are bent to look like a horse shoe. If you choose to buy the adapter without the built in stereo then you should look for the wiring adapter for your particular car, as well. I have seen and bought both of these at Walmart for less than $20. If they don't have these items then find a Radio Shack or look on Ebay.

1. Disconnect the positive battery cable before you proceed!!!
2. With the two stereo removal tools you just purchased, insert one tool in one side and one in the other. The points should match the two holes on either side and slide in. Push until you feel or hear a click. This should have disengaged the locking pins inside the unit.
3. Now this part isn't always easy. In fact, you kinda have to muscle up to get the stereo to come out of the dash, but remember that when it does come loose... there are alot of wires back there so don't pull the stereo out too fast or you risk damaging the delicate wiring behind it. You have to grab each key while they are inserted into the stereo and gently pry the two keys apart (the extra friction helps keep them right where they need to be) and try to jog the stereo loose from the dash in an up-and-down/side-to-side motion. When the unit pops out of place, gently pull it out of the dash. There should be just enough slack in the wires behind it to allow you to get your hands behind it to disconnect the plugs, wires, and hoses. Inspect each connect thoroughly as some connections have a built in safety latch to prevent them from accidentally comming apart. Most of these can be undone with your fingernails, but I recommend a small knife or flat blade screwdriver. If you think you might get confused by all the lines, take a role of masking tape and make a label on each wire and write on it where it went to. (Note: When you plug them back together, make sure all plugs are securely fitted into each socket)
4. If you bought the stereo adapter WITH the built in CD player... all the pluggins will look the same as the ones that are already in your car and the switch can be made without any major complications and the unit should slide right back into the old slot in the dash. You may have to help the wires get back into the dash so they don't get pinched or cut. The new unit should slide in with little effort. If if don't then something is wrong and you need to pull the unit back out and inspect further. (wires getting pinched or not tucked out of the way properly) When you do get the new unit to slide in easy, the last little bit will require some more muscle. With two hands (palms on each side placed over the key holes) firmly push until you hear or feel a click. If you are confident that you didn't hurt any of the delicate wiring then reconnect your positive battery cable and PRESTO... You're done!!!
5. If you purchased the stereo adapter WITHOUT the built in CD player... you will be missing some plugins. (This is where the wiring adapter you bought at Walmart comes into play) Find the wiring harness plugs that fit your new wiring adapter and plug them in. String the loose end through the empty stereo hole (they should come out the front of the unit) and reconnect any of the remaining wires and such that are still behind the unit. Now, gently slide the unit back into place. You may have to help the wires get back into the dash so they don't get pinched or cut. The new unit should slide in with little effort. If if doesn't then something is wrong and you need to pull the unit back out and inspect further. (wires getting pinched or not tucked out of the way properly) When you do get the new unit to slide in easy, the last little bit will require some more muscle. -Before you proceed, make sure that the wires from your new wiring harness adapter are still hanging out the front of the unit- Finally, with two hands (palms on each side placed over the key holes) firmly push until you hear or feel a click. The new unit is now properly installed.
6. Now that your unit is firmly locked in place, we will turn our attention to the wires that are supposed to be hanging out the front. These are the wires that you will use to hook up your new storebought (a.k.a. "aftermarket") stereo. If you choose to wait and install the new stereo at a later date then proceed to the next step. If you do plan to install the new stereo now then proceed to step #8.
7. Wanna stop for a bit? Pull on the wires that are hanging out the front of your unit as to reach its connection in back and disconnect it. This will leave the other end at a handy position to reach when you do decide to install a new stereo. Be sure to keep that end you disconnected handy like in the glove box or under the passenger seat. Now, reconnect your positive battery cable and you're ready to go.
8. If you choose to continue and install the unit, once again I urge you to use extreem caution and if you feel that you aren't capable of installing it then DON"T!!! One wrong move could short out your new stereo and/or the car's computer! Your new stereo should come with its own wiring harness that plugs into the back of the stereo. Plug it in. The bare wires that are now dangling from your stereo should be exactly color coded to the bare wires from the wiring harness you bought at Walmart. The ends have been precut and you need to twist the insulation off to expose the bare wire underneath on both harnesses. We'll start with the white wire. Bend the end of the white wire from your stereo and you should see where the insulation has already been cut. Twist that little piece of insulation off at the end dangling from the stereo. Now, do the same to the white wire on your Walmart harness. Twist these two white wires together like a bread tie and seal them (i.e. electrical tape, wire nuts, crip connectors. Take extra care as to cover all bare, exposed wires. This could cause a short) Continue on with the rest of the colors in the same fashion until all the wires have been properly connected. Tip: The stereo wiring harness and the Walmart harness can be wired together much easier when they aren't plugged in. (In the old days we had to balance everything on our knees while we wired everything up cause we didn't have them fancy connectors) Now, that your wiring is complete, we can proceed to step #9.
9. Your new stereo will come with a metal sleeve around it. You need to remove this. (It won't come off unless you release the safety locks on ethier side.) This piece is supposed to slide into that empty stereo slot. It should fit precisely. If it doesn't then you will require a stereo mounting kit which Walmart also sells. (The mounting kits have instructions on how to install them and you should do this now.) This kit will make the sleeve you took off your stereo fit like it should.
10. Assuming that the sleeve has a snug/precise fit... Slide the stereo sleeve into the empty hole in your dash. It should stop just before it goes completely inside the dash. ( There's a lip on the outer edge of the sleeve the stops it from going completely inside. If you noticed, the sleeve has designs cut into it. These designs are actually "fingers" that are meant to be bent out so that they grab the backside of the stereo hole and provide a solid/stable holder for your new stereo. You will probably have to look at the instructions that came with your new stereo to see exactly what I mean. Once the sleeve is mounted and solid (you should be able to reach your hand in and grasp the newly mounted sleeve and wiggle it just a little bit to check for unwanted movement) we can proceed to the next step.
11. Stick you hand into the hole in your dash and find all the harnesses and wires (Fords usually have two connectors and an antenna wire)that you will need. Pull them out so you can plug your Walmart harness into them. Now, plug the antenna wire and the stereo connector into the back of the stereo. Gently slide the stereo into place. You may have to help the wires get back into the dash so they don't get pinched or cut. The new stereo should slide in with little effort. If if doesn't then something is wrong and you need to pull the stereo back out and inspect further. (wires getting pinched or not tucked out of the way properly) If the stereo does slide in easily then firmly, but gently, push the stereo in until you hear/feel a click. Your new stereo is almost ready....
12. If you are confident that you made all the proper connections and no bare wires were left showing, you can now reconnect the positive battery cable and PRESTO... You're ready to rock out!!!

Here is a link that shows where the cabling is run on a Ford Taurus..http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t226634.HTML.

Be sure to review the "Related Questions" below for more information about Taurus / Sable radios & CD changers