mine is also an XLT. i know of the tool you are talking about. i kind of figured it wasn't too hard. i guess i'll add that to the christmas wish list now.

 

I know this is an old thread, but I registered just to say thank you. My wife has been complaining about this for a year now. I was about to buy a new HU and decided to google potential solutions. I tried both the "disconnect the battery" solution and the "remove the fuses" solution. Same difference, but I did them both anyway. No dice.

I found this thread, and figured "what the hell..." I opened the door to her Expedition, it starts trying to cycle CDs like always...and I start smacking the HU. CD1, CD2,...CD6 all recognized! Then I successfully eject them all! I'm feeling pretty lucky\cocky at this point, so I load 3 CDs back in. Switch between them, eject one, load another...the damn thing works perfectly, no more smacking required! Unbelievable!

Thanks again for the solution!

 

I suppose I am going to try this too. I have a Shaker 500 radio on my work bench that I took apart and am manually removing the CDs stuck in it manually. My truck audiophile radio has also been messed up for a year. Safe to say Ford CD changers aren't the greatest. I'm going to teach myself to just keep it empty when not in use. Console has plenty of room for CDs.

 

Want to second this hillbilly approach. Player just ate my new Lee Brice CD, tried the battery and fuse disconnect -- nothing. Looked to the wisdom of this forum and started wacking away at the CD player like some lonely 15 year old. Nothing at first, but I kept wacking and pushed the "load" button and, well, it spit the CD right out. Thank you!

Now, for the rear power sliding window...