Sounds like the radio head itself took the proberbial dump. If it lights up, its getting power, and you can try different modes, and still no sound or movement of the CD, then the head is bad. You've got a good power and ground, because of it lighting up, so there isn't much more to say, in my opinion. It happens with electronics. One minute fine, next, gone. Sorry.

Did you know, that if you found a 2005=07 Escape with navigation, it will fit right into our dash and work. I did that last year, and was pleasantly surprised it worked. I got mine out of the Hybrid model, and that seems to be the one, if you or anyone should decide to try this mod. You would need the adapter harness (make one yourself with a male and female Metra kit), but it costs about 20 for both pieces and they just hook together. It is a quick easy install, and you can have navigation also. Just a thought for you.

 

Could this be related at all to my blinker issue?

 

Low voltage could cause some weird things to happen. Possibly bad ground or or such even with a good battery. If you have 12-14 V at your head unit power supply, probably not.

 

Where does it ground to?

 

Alright, I found a ground, it is a 16" piece of wire that goes from the end of the ground cable that connects to the battery (on the battery end), so a stud in the firewall. There are three things connected there, is it supposed to me like that? I had 2 of them sandwiched between the stud and the firewall, and the one for the battery between the stud and another nut. Is that normal? I took the stud out, and it was pretty dirt, but it was like how copper rusts (green), is it supposed to be like that? I'll attach a pic of the stud and of the turn signal. You can't see the color on the stud too good in the pics, but it has a light coat of this green stuff that has the same color of rusty copper.

 

Is there another ground I'm missing?

 

Your radio grounds thru the antenna and the black Radio wire. I didn't catch your truck year, but if it is the 7 wire plug, it's the 5th wire, and if the the 24 pin plug, its the black #13 wire. Those are the common radio ground wires. If your radio is lighting up, you don't have a ground problem. It won't light up if the ground isn't conductive.

Have you had a lot of rain lately where you are? How about real cold and lost of frozen windows lately? I was wondering if your dash got wet and was causing a GEM or other problem to arise? I still think your radio head has bit the dust though. Hope this helps you out some.

 

I just caught the picture of the marker light. If you go to the search bar on those lights, you will find they have moisture and water problems that could be effecting your headlights, etc. I didn't realize you had those LED's. They are giving everyone problems.

 

If you get a second, snap a picture of the wiring harness for your radio. That might tell us what we are dealing with

 

Alright, I'll take then out again this afternoon.

We did have a lot of rain a couple weeks ago, then for about a week the most we get is sprinkles. It has gotten down to 28-30 most of the nights, so it's technically freezing, but not that bad.

As for the marker lights, I get moisture like that in everything, my headlights, tail lights, and third brake light.

I almost wouldn't doubt something like the GEM got wet, for what ever reason if it doesn't freeze but I get dew on my window, it's also on the inside, is that normal? I know I have a few issues with my windshield, the laminate is separating on one of the sides (drivers side I think?), and I got a rock chip on the passenger side, about half way up.

EDIT: Here are some pictures of the wiring. The cut wires have always been like that, no idea what they are to.