y33 headunit help

[flash gordon]

can anybody tell me how you get the stock headunit out of a 97 q45 please. thank u

[tfvesquire]

Good Morning. I just swapped a 2000 HU in my 98 Q two days ago so I am quite familiar with the R/R process. First off, are you planning on replacing the Bose HU with a compatible Bose unit? If you are intending on changing to an aftermarket single or double din unit, hopefully you have done your research about purchasing the correct stereo and/or harnesses so your original speakers will work.

Since this is your first time, I would give yourself about 2.5-3 hours to do this start to finish which includes reinstallation. If you rush it, you may break off a clip or two or crack the center dash vent. You will need the follow tools:

flat, stiff putty knife or a butter knife will do.phillps screw driverflat, long screw driver (about 8-10 inches) small, flat screw driver (like one used to work on computers)thin rags, like a t-shirt or old dress shirt (not a thick towel or microfiber)10 mm wrench or socketelectrical tape, or other non-marring tapea friend (optional, but very helpful)

Here we go. First, disconnect the battery with the 10mm wrench. Either apply your parking brake and/or place a secure wheel chock behind one of the rear wheels. Next, pop out the small plastic cover located on the top right edge of your shifter assembly to access the shift lock release button. *** Very easy to lose this so put it in a secure place. Insert the small screw driver into the hole and push the button down. Now, you can move the shifter arm to "N" or "D". Lift up the entire center console storage box and lock it in the vertical position. You will see the brown/taupe colored trim panel that the storage box hooks onto. Carefully pull up on it and it will come off. Under that, you will see a black plastic piece with two phillips screws. Remove those and set the parts aside. That piece only goes in one way, but snap a photo or two if you're not sure.

Next, wrap the putty knife or similar flat, thin blade tool with the rag, t-shirt and insert it on the left side of the shifter woodgrain piece. You should start about 1-2 inches from where the cupholder ends and the shifter trim begins. Grab the cupholder firmly and while pulling up on the cupholder, push down on the tool and the entire assembly should pop out. Since you moved the shift arm back, it will make it easier to access the one wiring harness plug going to the ashtray. Use the small screw driver the release that plug and remove the entire ashtray, shifter, cupholder trim.

Now, here is where a good friend comes in handy, because this is the trickiest part. You can do this yourself like I did, but it takes several tries and a lot of choice words.

With you in the drivers seat and your friend in the passenger seat, have them insert the thin blade tool wrapped in a t-shirt into the right, vertical edge of the center dash vent; don't pry anything yet. There are 2 metal prong type clips located inside the center vents; 1 on each side. You have to look carefully, but if you move the vent fins from side to side, you will see the metal clip sticking out on the bottom of the vent. You have to insert the long flat screw driver (with the metal shaft wrapped in tape to prevent scratching) into the dash vent under the last vent fin (bascally flat in the bottom of the vent). Push the blade straight in until it catches the metal clip. Firmly push back and hold the clip up. This may take several tries and a flashlight may be needed to see what you're doing.

While holding the clip back and up, have your friend gently pry the blade towards the dash until you feel the center vents pop lose. If it doesn't work on the right side, try the other side. Whatever you do, don't keep prying on the vents without hooking the metal clip or you run the risk of cracking/destroying your vents!!

Once you finally (once you do this part you will understand) remove the vents, you will see the 10-14 access screws for the center dash HU and HVAC unit. I suggest removing all the screws on top and below where the ashtray hooks in because there are some screws that hold the entire center unit into the dash and some that hold the woodgrain piece to the metal brackets, but I cannot remember which ones are which.

Once you have the screws out, you can place a rag two on the top edge of your shifter assembly to prevent scratches. Carefully pull the center dash unit out just enough to get to the wiring plugs and rest it on the top edge of the shifter. Disconnect the plugs that go to the hazard switch and HVAC unit. you can insert the small flat screw driver to make it easier if you don't have any fingernails. Next, you will see the plugs on the back of the HU. Remember to remove (don't just cut it) the plastic wiring harness zip tie that holds one of the radio wires to the metal bracket. The small screw driver can be used to pop the plastic prongs lose from the bracket.

Once everything is free, remove the entire center unit. Good luck on replacing/swapping out your HU. Like I said, hopefullly you have don't some research before doing this unpleasant job. Reinstallation is the reverse. Let us know how it all worked out for you.

FYI: now is a great time to replace any burned out bulbs in your HVAC unit. Before you remove anything, turn on your parking lights in a dark area and make a note of which area on your unit appear dark. Put a piece of tape, etc. to mark which buttons are dark. Then, you will have a better idea of which ones need to be replaced. I have several of these bulbs for sale in the FS section along with some misc FGY33 parts.

Ted

[goody90q45]

Nice writeup Ted!

[maxnix]

You can do this yourself like I did, but it takes several tries and a lot of choice words.

Were they Japanese sailor words?

Nice write up. Where are the photographs?

[flash gordon]

pics coming soon.........................REAL soon.

[flash gordon]

here come da pics.....

lift the arm rest and remove the gray part that it locks into.

remove da two screws, (they hold down yo ashtray, shifter trim and cup holder) put ur prying tool in thw wood about 2 inchs from da top of cup holder on eather side. pry while u pull up on da cup holder and the hole thing should come off. last disconnect the lighter harness.

it should look like this.

inside da ac vents there are small metal tab thingies.(sorry couldn't get a better pic it shows up as the 2nd silver blur) take a long flathead screwdriver and put it under the tab. push back and turn. leave the tab pushed up and turned while u pry. BE CAREFUL & DONT BRAKE s***. do the same for the other side.

remove the 12 screws, 6 on top 6 on bottom. pull out the center and disconnet all harness' (your blankers dont work wit out the hazard botton being hooked up.)

take off wood trim. BE CAREFUL DONT BRAKE s***. there are tabs all the way around it, go slow.

should look like dis

top 2 screws hold the ac switches

to change the ac lights pry the face and back off (tabs all a round) DONT PUT SCREW DRIVER IN THE GRAY PLASTIC SCREWS...ITS TO SOFT. unscrew the small metal screws and lift the bord. those soft gray screws are the led base...... unscrew from bulb side.



screw on factory plates to new headunit

thats it the hard parts over wire it up and put back together. remember that all the blue wires go together, nissan harness r not grounded and to watch movies while driving ground the "break in" wire.

for my removable face to fit i had to cut a lil(well not me but the guy at bestbuy, think his name is leo.)

thank u Ted & Leo for the help. N for my girlfrind Sakera for being cool while i did all this.

if u want to do this get a big redbull and dont be afraid just DONT BREAK s*** thats all.

FLASH GORDON