Ford AM/FM stereo Humidity and moisture condensation, Dew sensor circuit, Cleaning video heads

Entertainment Systems

Humidity and moisture condensation

Moisture in the air will condense in the VCP under extremely humid conditions or when moving from a cold place to a warm one. Moisture condensation on the tape playback head drum may damage the videocassette and/or drum. If moisture condensation occurs, do not insert a videocassette into the player. If a videocassette is already in the player, remove it. Turn the VCP power ON to dry the moisture before inserting a videocassette. This could take an hour or more.

Dew sensor circuit

•Under high moisture (dewed) conditions, the tape heads and cassette tape may be damaged if the VCP is operated.

•When the vehicle’s cabin temperature is very low and then is heated quickly, or the humidity is very high within the vehicle, the inside of the windows most likely will be fogged. Under these conditions, the inside of the VCP most likely is dewed.

•When a dewed condition exists, the dew sensor circuit stops machine operation, ejects the cassette and the WAIT indicator illuminates. The lamp will remain illuminated until the system is dry enough to operate safely.

Cleaning video heads

Magnetic video heads convert the videocassette into pictures on the screen during playback. Over a period of time, particles rub off the tape and are left on the heads. Using an old or poor quality tape together with dust and air particles, high temperature and humidity cause dirty heads. Dirty heads generally cause “snowy” pictures and, in some severe cases, blurred or interrupted pictures. It is suggested that the heads be cleaned after every 10–15 hours of use. A variety of products are available to clean tape heads. Use these products sparingly, and ensure that you use products which are labeled as “non-abrasive”. If normal head cleaning procedures do not resolve the problem, have the system checked by a service technician.

Foreign substances

Exercise care to prevent dirt and foreign objects from entering the VCP compartment. Be especially careful not to spill liquids of any kind onto the media controls or into the videocassette player. If liquid is accidentally spilled onto the system, immediately turn the system OFF and consult a qualified service technician.

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