Aftermarker radio removal?

[ph34r]

Hello guys,

Ive been lurking these forums for a few weeks now, and I must say you guys usually have the answers to all the questions Ive had up to this point.

Anyways, I'm not really too technical when it comes to audio, but I need to access the back of my radio so I can begin installing my amp, sub, and new speakers. However, the beetle already had a radio installed with some sort of aftermarket holder thingy majiggy (lol). Ive tried prying it out with needle nose pliers, taking out a few screws here and there but have had no luck removing this darn thing. I spoke to my brother in-law and he says I may need a special tool, but I thought the tool was only needed for the stock radio. I really hope I don't have to remove the dash for this project, I looked at a dash removal guide and it looks like a real PIA...

Year - 2000
Model - 1.8 turbo

Here's some pics of this annoyance of mines:

[a_happier_me]

Originally Posted by ph34r

some sort of aftermarket holder thingy majiggy (lol).

INDEED a thingy majiggy...lol!!

You're halfway there. This thingy majiggy is also referred as a facia adaptor...lol. It's a multi-part panel.

See the two screws, one on each side of the radio?, those are part of the aftermarket panel. Unscrew those.

You may also need radio brand specific removal keys to remove the radio from the 'cage'.

Hope this is the information you were looking for.

[ph34r]

I tried removing the two screws from the sides and it just was not budging for anything, that's the part where I tried using the needle nose pliers. After I removed the two screws, it just seemed to be something to hold the faceplate in its spot and nothing more.I have a feeling there is something else to this little puzzle.

[a_happier_me]

It's hard to explain in type...but here goes:

The cage is set into the radio slot with notches. These notches are bent down into the inside of the radio 'hole', so you can not remove the cage without FIRST removing the radio.

You will probably still more than likely need to acquire Pioneer keys. Any place that sells Pioneer products SHOULD carry the removal keys, or have a pair you can borrow.

I found this post on a different forum...

"find some pioneer keys (if these aren't available, find a friend with a pair you can borrow OR use 2 extremely tiny flat head screwdrivers with a length of at least 4 inches. the keys or screw drivers will slide into the small slots on the sides of the cd player (1 left/ 1 right) right in the middle between the stereo and cage, push in straight until you hear/feel the cd player's mounting frame unlock the cd player. you should then be able to pull the cd player straight out. "

[ph34r]

Originally Posted by a_happier_me

It's hard to explain in type...but here goes:

The cage is set into the radio slot with notches. These notches are bent down into the inside of the radio 'hole', so you can not remove the cage without FIRST removing the radio.

You will probably still more than likely need to acquire Pioneer keys. Any place that sells Pioneer products SHOULD carry the removal keys, or have a pair you can borrow.

I found this post on a different forum...

"find some pioneer keys (if these aren't available, find a friend with a pair you can borrow OR use 2 extremely tiny flat head screwdrivers with a length of at least 4 inches. the keys or screw drivers will slide into the small slots on the sides of the cd player (1 left/ 1 right) right in the middle between the stereo and cage, push in straight until you hear/feel the cd player's mounting frame unlock the cd player. you should then be able to pull the cd player straight out. "

Ahhhh that makes sense, I will try to find some on eBay then. Will let you know my progress as soon as I buy a pair. Thanks!

[a_happier_me]

Hi there....Happy's hubby here..An alternative would be to use two zip-strips(reasonably large ones,like the type used to hold on wheel trims),sliding them in to where the release keys go,about 4 inches in there are two clips which prevent the radio from moving outward..the zip-strip will undo the clip,letting you GENTLY pull the radio forward with the needle-nose pliers.

Hope this helps.

[ph34r]

Worked like a charm Happy. I ordered my keys off of eBay, and bam, perfect. Thanks for the help. Now the hard part of running amp cables

[sean_fabanich]

running amp cables is far easier then trying to put a head unit back in the dash when you have the rca sticking out the back...

[Toad]

I would remove the entire center dash part. (its fairly simple actually if you already have a t20 torx driver) that way you can easily run the cables to the floor, and you can install the radio in the dash piece outside the car, and it will make it easier to shove the wiring in the dash to fit it all back together.

theres 2 on top (first just push the center piece near the windshield toward the windshield and you'll see them)
2 on the bottom of the lower button stack
2 hidden under the side covers on front (heated seat switches if so equipped)
remove that panel
4 more torx screws under that holding the big assembly to the dash
and the 2 behind the radio panel (that you said you already removed)

and it should just sorta slide forward and up a little. it will take the budvase holder trim with it, but it will make wiring a WHOLE LOT easier imho.

have fun.