[habmann]

I had a similar problem with my radio when i had the stock one in my car not too long ago. I think its the security feature. I found that the little part that comes off the front of the radio, i think it holds 3 of the preset buttons, can become lose and doesn't make contact with the contacts behind it properly and when it doesn't the radio won't turn on. I found if i pushed it in the radio would come back on. I never found a solution, altho if you never remove, i never did, then i guess you could try and just glue it down that should hold it in place pretty good.

I had the exact same symptoms, my mom has a cougar and her stock radio does the same thing from time to time as well. Prolly another ford design flaw.