Need help removing climate faceplate and stereo 99-00 Protege

[Pyro-tege]

I got a new stereo for the Protege. It's a double DIN, as the stock one for my 2000 is a double DIN radio/CD/cassette. I did search, and looked for a chiltons or haynes manual at Advance Auto the only chain auto parts store near me, to no avail. I removed the climate control knobs, pried the face plate back and it only comes back about 1 inch. Looks like the control assy is attatched to he faceplate. I tried the black little tabs on the top ofthe white control housing and it did not release the assy. Any help would be appreciated. Also once that is off, how does the stock unit come out? I don't see any screws or bolts for removing it. Argggh! Why does Mazda make EVERYTHING so difficult?!!(bang)

 

[Pyro-tege]

I found this, but I can't even get the climate control faceplate off to access the stereo yet;
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104105

 

[Prodigy]

-There's 3 cable lines that have 'thorned' tabs holding them in place.
-You should be able to remove the cables at the flaps/vent doors by squeezing the rod.
-Then you should be able to release the thorned tabs.
-After that, you can pull the center bezel a few inches outwards... disconnect the hazard switch, and electrical clips for the AC.
-done!

 

[Prodigy]

Are you trying to remove the radio?

-just drop the glove box (squeeze top, pull downward and out)
-protect the center bezel with tape
-squeeze the tabs on the radio from the underside of the dash (same for the steering wheel side)

 

[Pyro-tege]

Yeah, I am trying to remove the OEM stereo to install a new one. So I need to remove the glove box? Where exactly are the tabs to release the radio? I can't see any tabs from the front, so I assume the back side which is why the glovebox is removed? Thanks for the reply.

 

[prof15]

^ where you able to remove the radio? and did you had to remove the climate control panel to remove it or you just had to remove the glove box and squeeze the tabs?

 

[prichmbz]

You shouldnt have to remove the dash for the radio, The left and right trim around the deck should come off revealing 6-8 key holes. You need 4 ford keys to remove it (2 if your good) and the deck should slide right out.

 

[Prodigy]

the tabs are nearly identical to the ones in the picture.
Just push them towards the center and slide the radio out.

ignore the screwdrivers, pressing them in through the glovebox is 5x easier.

 

[prichmbz]

Ya, just try and use ford keys, you can break the tabs with something else. They are only $3 at Autozone or best buy

 

[prof15]

the tabs are nearly identical to the ones in the picture.
Just push them towards the center and slide the radio out.

ignore the screwdrivers, pressing them in through the glovebox is 5x easier.

I will try again tomorow, if not I am going to push it through the glovebox..btw the radio in the pic above is different to mine, my radio is a double din I hope it still work.

^ I already got the U ford keys last weekend and din't work. And yesterday I got another set since I read somewhere that I needed 4 U's to remove the radio, at one pint it starting to come out but one of the keys came off the radio but still didn't work.

 

[prof15]

Hey guys finally I got the radio out..I figure it out where the keys needed to press on. It was still hard to get it out and I almost broke the radio, since at one point the face came off. . I just need to install the new head unit.

Thanks every one for the help.

 

[Henon Fady]

Well, Mazda make is so hard so that when every you need new parts you need to buy it from them. If they are going to make it like you can put other brand they are going to loss business. Well, try to contact mazda dealer you might find something that will fits well..

 

[Pyro-tege]

I just got back from AZ so I'll try to get my radio out this week. Mazda makes great handling cars, but getting the radio out is a pain, and I have never had a car where I have had to remove the entire taillight assy just to replace a bulb. :mad:

 

[80sGuy]

Resurrecting a dead thread here.....

I removed my CD radio with one of those cheap Made in China (sh!t) Schoste Ford/Mazda keys. I then removed the cover of the radio and cleaned the lens and while trying to put the thing back in the car the bottom plate got lodged out and now half my buttons are not lighting up. I think the fiber optics are broken. The problem now is that I can't removed the radio out anymore, it feels like the pins just slides in to the left with no guides. The right side seemed to want to release but the left just 'free play' and stuck. I want to take the radio out again to see if I can fix the lights, or perhaps order a replacement faceplate but now I couldn't take the p.o.s out anymore. Any suggestion?