Radio Removal

[gallus]

has anyone found a way to pop the radio out? i recently purchased an S model, hoping that i could DIY an aux input through the OEM radio. i didnt feel the need to spend 1600 more for the SL, and i like the look of the car, or else i would simply buy another deck for it.

[indus49]

If you slam your car at top speed into a wall, the radio should pop out by itself...

Kidding, of course. But my guess (I say guess because I'm not going to f-up my car doing this...) would be you can get to the head unit by removing the dash pad and front cowl. That's how it worked in my 98 Cavalier, and oh yeah, I screwed that up more than once.

So let me know how that goes.

[markvalpreda]

Did anyone ever get some insight into this? I don't need to do it, but I sure am curious!

[vidrine]

To remove the radio you must remove the top center of the console, the piece with the two small vents. To remove you need to push the front up about 1/4 of an inch and then grab behind the vents and pull toward you this piece is tricky but once you have removed you will see how easy it is. The first time you remove it, it will seem like you are going to brake it. It take a lot of pressure when you push up to separate. Once you have this piece off you will see 2 Philips head screws on the top of the radio cover remove them and pull the cover off. You can unplug the hazard light switch but DO NOT UNPLUG THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR. You can simply pop the light out of the console it has a clip on top and bottom. Them you will see the four Philips head screws holding in the radio. You will only use one of the three harness plug used on you factory radio. The larges one on the drivers side is the one. You will need a multi meter and you should be able to see the speaker wires they should be twisted in pairs. Mine was. The antenna is the gray plug and will need to be cut and spliced into an adapter that you will need to buy. At this time I was unable to find a Wire harness that would adapt I tried a few manufacturers and they are all in the development stage so you will have to splice into the harness. I also was able to use my steering controls using the module from PAC audio. Hope this helps.

[markvalpreda]

Thanks vidrine! You rock!

[mvalpreda]

Can you lend some insight into what wires you used for the PAC steering wheel controls? The shop I go is scared to do it for some reason.....

[vidrine]

If anyone else is wanting the info.I didn't make note of the color of the wires but I can tell you how to identify them. Once the radio is connected you will have five wires unused in the wire harness two black and three of various color. the black are not used. Take a multi meter and ground the black meter lead then turn the acc on in the car and check voltage on the three color wires. The one with 5 volts will not be used but the other two colored wires will be the ones you need. You will use two resister from the PAC module the 49ohm and the 150ohm, doesn't mater which one goes where but connect one of the resister to each wire then connect the resisters together the wire on the PAC module is the white wire and the mode is #3.

[rockatowa]

Gallus,

I have a sirius radio with an FM adapter which won't work on this radio because it doesn't have a standard radio antenna. So I am going to have to find a Aux. input jack. Did you ever find one for your radio?

[julio camacho]

Gallus,

I have a sirius radio with an FM adapter which won't work on this radio because it doesn't have a standard radio antenna. So I am going to have to find a Aux. input jack. Did you ever find one for your radio?

if you live in the us I recomend you to go to a store called car toys I just bought all the adapters for my versa (the din corverter, the antenna adapter and also the audio adapter)

[devilV]

Gallus,

I have a sirius radio with an FM adapter which won't work on this radio because it doesn't have a standard radio antenna. So I am going to have to find a Aux. input jack. Did you ever find one for your radio?

They have the adaptors at crutchfield for $10.