02 Protege Stereo question

[revhigh]

Hi All,

This forum has been a wealth of information in just a few days relating to my daughter's newly purchased 02 Protege LX. Thanks !!

The multi-function stereo without the cassette deck is missing the #2 station selection button, and the right tuning knob. No idea what happened to them. Is it possible to buy just the buttons somewhere, or does anyone maybe have a defective radio laying in the garage that they may be able to part with for not a lot of money ? Even a good radio that was taken out for an aftermarket unit would work if the price is right. She doesn't have much money, and I've been looking around at junkyards but have been unable to find one for much less than $100, which is clearly a no-go, as she could buy a brand new aftermarket unit for that much from Crutchfields.

Also, her right dashboard climate control vent is missing the trim ring. Any ideas where I could find one of them ??

Anybody know about an auto parts store/junkyard that specializes in Mazda parts ?

Thanks ... sorry for so many questions ... but I'm a Mazda newbie LOL.



REV

 

[saprotege02]

ebay is actually great for old mazda stereos for pretty cheap. you just buy the whole unit and use the parts that you need.

i don't know how much of a do-it-yourselfer you are but if you are...

you can cast a mold out of plaster and make (or carve) a mold of one of the other identical buttons and use casting resin. on a radio, i'd suggest using a very hard rubber urethane resin. there are thousands of different kinds but if you check out Smooth-on they'll tell you exactly what you need. it's cheap and easy and for this application you can't go wrong with most resin types.

another easy way to replicate one is good old fashioned fiberglass tape and Bondo, available for around 10 bucks at autozone and easily sandable.