Radio Controls on the Steering Wheel do not function as expected intermittantly. Symptoms include: when selecting station seek, the band will change; when selecting either volume control up, the volume will only go down, not up; when selecting pre-set radio seek, the dvd wil be selected. This occurs intermittantly, lasts for a few weeks, then works normal again. It now seems failed for some time (over 2 months). Dash radio controls all seem to work as designed.

Hi,

Here is the link to the owners manual which you can download if you wish:

http://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/OwnerGuidePage&year=1996&make=Lincoln&model=Continental

Here/below are the specific instructions on the radio programming (pg. 159 of above link).

Good luck & please flag if "HELPFUL". Thanks!

(from section) Luxury Audio System

Selecting the AM or FM frequency band

Push the "AM" or "FM1/FM2" button to select the desired frequency band. Pushing the "FM1/FM2" button more than once will alternate between FM1 and FM2. These functions are used with the station memory buttons described under How to tune radio stations.

HOW to tune radio stations

There are four ways for you to tune in a particular station. You can use the "TUNE", "SEEK", 'SCAN"or memory buttons.

• Using the "TUNE" function: You can change the frequency up or down one increment at a time by Pressing and releasing either the left (< arrow/up) or - right (> arrow/down) side of the "TUNE" or "TUNE DISCS" button. To change frequencies quickly, press and hold down either the right or left side of the button.

Manual tuning adjusts your radio to any allowable broadcast frequency, whether or not a station is present on that frequency. (See All About Radio Frequencies in this section.)

• Using the "SEEK" function: Press the right *) side of the "SEEK" button to select the next listenable station up the frequency band. Press the left (.4) side of the button to select the next listenable station down the frequency band. By holding the button down, listenable stations can be passed over to reach the desired station. Pressing the "SCAN" button will begin the scan mode up the frequency band, stopping on each listenable station for approximately five seconds. To stop the scan mode on the presently sampled station, press the "SCAN" button again.

Setting the station MEMORY PRESET buttons: Your radio is equipped with 6 station memory buttons. These buttons can be used to select up to 6 preset AM stations and 12 FM stations (6 in FMI and 6 in FM2)

1. Select a band, then select a frequency.

2. Press one of the memory buttons and hold until the sound returns and the lamp above the memory button lights up. That
memory button is now set.

3. Follow the above steps for each memory preset button.

NOTE: Custom memory presets can be recalled using the keyless entry system. See Memory Profile System in the Features chapter.

Using the Automatic Memory Store feature ("AUTOSET"): If the memory buttons have been set, either by using the Auto Memory Load feature or if you have set them manually, the system is prepared tolet you use a convenient feature called Automatic Memory Store.

With Auto Memory Store, you can continually set strong stations into your memory buttons without losing your originally set stations. Your radio will automatically set your memory buttons to the strong local stations.

Activate Auto Memory Store by pushing the "AUTOSET" button once. Your radio will set the first six strong stations of the band you are in (AM, FMI or FM2) into the memory buttons. The display will flash "AUTO" and display the autoset icon "A" while the stations are being set in the memory buttons.

NOTE: If there are less than six strong stations in the frequency band, the remaining unfilled buttons will store the last strong station detected on the band. After all stations have been filled, the radio will begin playing the station stored on memory button 1.

To deactivate the Auto Memory Store mode and return to the manually-set memory button stations, simply push the "AUTOSET" button. Display will show "AUTO" then "OFF". The next time Auto Memory Store is activated on that band, the radio will store the next set of six strong stations.

I've had this problem in the past and it's down to 2 possibilities. 1 is the radio controls on the steering wheel sticking or shorting , especially when turning the steering wheel if your automobile has radio controls on the steering wheel. 2 the radio has a shorted circuit board on the back of the radio face.

Are these on the radio itself or on the steering wheel? If the radio, you may need to pull the radio fuse (Warning! This will delete any and all saved Bluetooth devices, radio station presets, clock, eq settings, bal and fade settings, etc) and then try it again. If the issue is with the steering wheel controls, and you have an aftermarket radio most often you will need an adapter to connect the new radio to the steering wheel as well as a radio that has that capability.

Have you spilled anything on the steering wheel, or during detailing spraying any sort of cleaner on the steering wheel? These are simple contact pad type switches which can be impacted by soiling. Also, could be loose connections in the harness if you've had any custom work done recently.
Now, do NOT attempt to disassemble the steering wheel unless you are a very good mechanic. You could inadvertently discharge your airbag, or cause other problems.

This is really something you should consult with a local certified mechanic or your dealer.

shorted wires in the steering wheel and/or column, inspect them and replace any worn components.

With the FM band selected, use the multifunction key " * " to
get the 2nd level menu. From this 2nd level use "<" or ">" to manually tune a desired station. The radio mutes and speed will increase if the key is held for more than a few steps. Fine tuning is accomplished by pressing and releasing the key.

it is merely making the exact set connection

The radios in the 2000 Mountaineer are notorious to short out. You simply have to get a new one. Believe me. I had the same problem.

Does it have RADIO Controls on Steering Wheel? If so does the Air bag light EVER come on While Driving down the road. If no to these Questions.
I dont like at all being the Bearer of BAD news
I am Not Exactly A "RADIO" Expert But I have seen this Before and My Repair for it was Replacement.It is My Thought and Thery that somehow the MEMORY Cuircit gets Burned out adn in turn the On Off Cuircit is also Effected by this, Hoping this is of Good Help to you., RejakWilson

good chance radio has a fault' try a freinds one.if you still have the same problem change the steering wheel control pannel