Radio Removal

[James]

My radio has a mind of it's own so I attempted to fix it today. Notice I said attempted as I haven't fixed it yet. I wanted to share my experiences with the removal of the Radio Control and Tape/DSP.

Per my Bentley Manual, I purchased an Alley key tool for smaller metric sizes. The radio requires using a 2 mm allen, and the tape requires a 2.5 mm. After removing the volume knob, insert the 2mm allen key into the hole. The radio requires a 1/4 turn and it pops out quite easily. I found an abundance of electric tape the previous owner used to secure the radio. Guess the radio rattled around too much for his liking.

The tape player, well, didn't go as smoothly. I removed the bolts almost entirely holding the tape player in place, and it still wouldn't budge. I could feel some "give", but it was getting caught on something. After about 15 minutes of manuevering, it finally came out by shifting the entire carrier back into the dash. I guess when I removed the radio that it shifted everything forward, and somehow making it impossible to get the tape player out.

More updates tomorrow.

[ESP]

What does it do James?

Ours just started not working on FM, but everything else works.

The units sometimes have circuit boards that crack which is what I think happened to ours.

[James]

There is a loose connection somewhere that I need to find. Both the radio and CD player play intermittently. The previous owner installed aftermarket speakers and an amplifier, which makes me think the troubleshoot will be more difficult.

[ESP]

I would first take some type of external source, MP3 player, Boom Box (LOL, when did I think I would ever post that on a forum) etc, and using RCAs connect it to the aftermarket amplifier, then you can see if the problem is with the aftermarket amp and or speaker wires directly. If not then you will have to take some steps to troubleshoot the factory stuff.

[James]

Thanks for the suggestion - I will give it a try and let you know how it turns out.

[seventyfive]

this is a little late, but i picked one of these tools up from our snap-on salesman Radio Removal Kit O.E. ANTI-THEFT RADIO KEY SWITCH BLADE ST9015 - ST9015-AST very handy, i've used it on porsche, bmw, benz, and a couple audis. it has the little allen for radios.

[upperguy]

If you decide to go aftermarket let me know, I'll see if I can set you up with something fun

[James]

Originally Posted by seventyfive

this is a little late, but i picked one of these tools up from our snap-on salesman Radio Removal Kit O.E. ANTI-THEFT RADIO KEY SWITCH BLADE ST9015 - ST9015-AST very handy, i've used it on porsche, bmw, benz, and a couple audis. it has the little allen for radios.

Looks like a great tool - I might have to pick one up. Here is the one I was looking at but never got around to purchasing: Astro Pneumatic 10Pc.Radio Removal Tool Set 7808

Originally Posted by upperguy

If you decide to go aftermarket let me know, I'll see if I can set you up with something fun

Thanks man - I will likely be taking you up on that offer. Your brother has the pulley in his possession now, make sure he gives it to you next time he's in Yardley.

[upperguy]

absolutely and it's appreciated just let me know in advance what you are looking for and ill get some numbers

[seventyfive]

i'd go with the sir tools stuff. the astro tools and equivalent stuff won't last too long and they usually don't fit just right.