Access 04 Max radio antenna connector w/o removing radio?

[pittpa]

I am thinking of installing my Sirius Starbase radio myself. Can I get to the radio antenna connector w/o pulling the radio?

[loystock]

have no experience with 04 Maxima but in most systems, you have to remove the head unit to access the antenna connector. Information should be available from the FSM but in some cases, it's not so user-friendly.

You can go to http://www.carstereohelp.com/nissan.htm for step-by-step instructions on how to remove the head unit. They used to provide the service for free but started charging a few years ago. Currently, the head unit removal instruction is $6.99

[pittpa]

I forgot to mention it is the Bose, in case there is a way. I can get it out, I'd just like to avoid unnecessary disassembly. Thanks.

[jsmithsole]

Nope no way to do it. But it's really no that hard to get apart...

[jsmithsole]

Here you go:

i combined two how to's for everyone who's interested in taking apart there dash. Seems that's people's biggest problem for wanting to do the led modd and if your able to do this you can easily ship your parts to me! lol j/p

Here are step-by-step instructions to taking apart your dash to either get to the stereo, or the LED screen. I take no responsibility for these instructions or any damage this may cause to your vehicle. Follow at your own risk! Enjoy!

Step 1: Remove shifter knob - Shifter knob is made of two parts, the leather handle, and the lower aluminum-looking cone-shaped piece. Grasp the cone-shaped lower piece, rotate counter-clockwise and pull down at the same time to release from shifter handle. Once this is done, there is a small gold clip holding the handle in place, remove this and handle will slide off, remove this as cone-shaped piece.



WARNING: If you twist the shift knob thing as instructed you will end up breaking it. You just need to pull down on that plastic piece. There is a TSB addressing this issue.

Step 2: Remove wood-colored faceplate and shifter piece - Open cupholder door. Using your fingers, press along edge of wood piece where cupholder door goes and pull up. Gentle but heavy force may be needed to pull up plate. Make sure you are slightly pushing the side of the plate inwards while you do this. Once you get the end of it released, you'll need to put the key in the ignition, turn it till the air comes on, put foot on the brake and move shifter knob into the neutral position. Lift up the whole plate to completely release. Underneath there are two connectors, one brown and one white, that you will need to disconnect before removing plate. Set aside.









Step 3: remove two lower screws that hold the dash kit in place, place them in a safe place. Use fingers on inside of lower storage area (below cassette opening) to pull out the dash kit and release from its clips. Remove lower half first, then pull out upper half. there is another connector on the back of that piece that needs to be unplugged. Set dash kit aside.





Step 4: Remove 2 screws holding in climate/audio control panel and LED screen. Holding this panel from underneath the radio controls, Pull piece outwards. The two middle air vents are also attached, and will come out as well. Lift out lower end first, then tilt upwards to release clips holding in the top edge. One connector on the back needs to be removed.



Step 5: Remove LED screen: remove 4 small gold screws on both sides of LED screen housing to separate screen from the rest of the panel.

Now you have successfully removed the LED screen. Pretty easy! To put back in, screw 4 gold screws back in, put whole panel piece back in first by inserting clips on top edge back trhough their holes, then slowly lower front edge down while making sure top edge stays flush with rest of dash. Carefully reconnect the plug, then lower all the way back flush. Screw back in the 2 screws. take Dash kit, reconnect wires, pop in the top part first back into slots, then lower part, then screw in 2 screws at bottom. Put the car back in neutral, plug in 2 connectors to shifter panel (brown and white), then slip shifter tube through the hole on the shifter panel, and carefully fit the panel back into plce, starting with the edge closest to the dash and ending with the edge closest to the armrest/cupholder. Place cone part of shifter back over steel tube, place shifter knob on and carefully slide the gold clip back through the white part of the shifter knob, it should line up with the 2 grooves on either side of the knob and the 2 grooves on steel tube. Slide cone-shaped part back up and carefully rotate over gold clip until its tight. It may take a couple tries to get this last part right.

[pittpa]

Gee thanks, much appreciated. Now I really need that info. You see, I ran out of time before leaving on vaca, so went to the installer. Upon driving away at the end of his business hours, my l/f speakers suddenly kicked on about a block down the street, but the r/f speakers never came on. He says he did not pull the radio, merely reached up and pulled the antenna plug and could not have done anything to affect the speakers. Also, he mounted my Sirius magnetic antenna on the r/f of the dash, not outside the car, so I mostly have 3 bars on the Satellite meter and it cuts out a lot. He claims that usually works out OK with XM if the windshield has enough slope. Obviously a problem with Sirius. I want a look at the back of the radio myself to see what is going on there.

[pittpa]

That was easy, thanks again. I also pulled off the side of the console to ease acess to the wires. Problem was the power plug was not pushed all the way into the head unit after the installer soldered on 2 power wires. Amazingly, it was out just enought to kill the r/f speaker. It does not click in and lock. It pulls out easily, while the other harness plugs are stuck in solid. Did my installer damage something ? <EDIT> I forgot to mention, it is worth pulling the top panel just to get the dust off the back of the LED screen cover.
Modified by pittpa at 8:23 PM 8/3/2009