Cassette player

My '96 windstar's tape player quick working about a year ago, yet the radio works. Does this sound like an isolated problem within the player itself or do you think it's related to the van's functionality that I can fix myself?

I know, I know it's probably time to just buy a CD player and join the rest of the world, but I can live with a cassette player for at least a couple more years--til the van gives up the ghost.

Assuming that you have a factory system with the radio and cassette player in the same box then it sounds like a problem with the cassette player itself. Does it ff or rewind? Maybe a belt has slipped off internal to the casette player

I would just pop for a cd player. Buy one off ebay and put it in yourself. Ford radios are really easy to take out. I know because i have had 2 stolen while running 5 min errands.

You may be able to buy an identical radio to the one you have on ebay. I looked...and there are several sellers who pull them out of salvage cars.....and sell them. I would watch out as far as trying to install a different factory radio as there are different wire harnesses to go with different radios.....at least that is what I found when researching my '96. So the safest bet is to stay with the same level radio.
In other words.....at least for my year.....an upgrade to the super premium sound system....from the standard "Premium sound system" is more than just getting another radio unit and plugging it in. The standard electronic search radio with the cassette is what I have.......There is a higher model that mates with a amplifier that is up inside the dash.....behind the radio......and yet another model that includes the amp.....and a JBL subwoofer that has another amp for the subwoofer....
Also....I saw radios that people claimed fit......which, from looking at the picture.....I could tell at a glance that they were not a direct fit.....as in a much bigger face on them.

You can get a FORD factory radio removal tool......which is just 2 "U" shapped wires with little bumps on the ends......at many places that sell car stereo systems......even Best Buy has them.
You put the ends of the removal "tools" into the little holes at the corners of the radio face....and press the part sticking out....toward or away from each other (I forget which...says on the package)....and pull gently out.