Removal of Head Unit - 07 Mazda6

macklime

Member
Well, I did a lot of searching and never found specific instructions for the removal of the head unit in an 07 (got it for 06 but slightly different). That said, here's a little write up of what I just finished this morning. I installed an icarkits adapter so I could both charge and play my iphone 3gs. This applies to non Bose, non-NAV units.

I apologize in advance for any lack of photo quality (taken with my iphone).

I also apologize for the size of these photos....I have no idea how to resize them at this point. If someone wishes to edit this to clean it up, please go ahead.

1. Start with the cup holder - excuse its filthyness please :)
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2. Remove - I kind of pulled on it with my hands around the hand brake, but now knowing where the clips are located, I would think about using a small screw driver to pry the sections where the clips are. The thing silver piece of plastic to the left of the hand brake is VERY easy to snap (which I did). I glued it back together, and it's barely noticable. I mention this so others can learn from my mistakes.

3. Once you get a couple of clips to pull up, the rest will follow.
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4. Photo 3 is how it looks with the cup holder removed.
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5. Next, move on to the shifter area. Unscrew the shifter knob counterclockwise.
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6. Pull up the trim the same way (much easier this time).
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7. You will see this piece is connected to the the 12V connector.
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8. Remove the connector, put the shifter plate aside, and you'll see two screws under the head unit. The image only has the left one showing.
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9. Now, open the glove compartment and push in on both sides (right side shown as I was holding my iphone with my left hand lol).
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10. On the right side is a little strap held to a clip.
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Remove the strap so you can remove the glove compartment. I put somethingthing through the loop of the strap earlier so it wouldn't disappear on me into the compartment.

11. Inside there is a bolt that needs to be removed. It's 10 mm in size, you'll need a 6" extension.
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12. Don't forget to remove the AC/environmental controls (just pull off). There are screws behind the left and right knobs (Phillips/Star).
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13. Remove these screws.
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14. This part now is the scary part. It really does not feel like it will come out. You pull on the bottom and it seems you'll only break it. Don't get violent or anything, but pull up and out at the same time, giving it a "tugging motion". For me, one side let go and then I kind of eased each side out by prying the sides with my fingers until I got this:
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15. Now the head unit will pull straight out.
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16. Then you plug in whatever you are installing. For me, I followed the instructions in the car kit and it was super easy. I had to plug it into the SAT connector (small white one on bottom left of head unit).
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17: I routed the wiring and the icarkit module to sit behind the glove compartment. The connector for the iphone itself, I guided it down below the head unit in order to come out right underneath near the 12V connector. Sorry, I forgot to show take a picture of it in place behind the glove compartment. But you'll see there's lots of space for it there. It happens to be right in front of the cabin filter access.

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18. Put it back together the same way you took it apart.

All back together and fully working!

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I hope this helps anyone who may feel it is a daunting task, because it really isn't. Save yourself those overpriced installation fees!
 
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Good work! Note that the MS6 doesn't have the knobs, so you can omit that step.

Can you shrink the pics down in size a bit? Those things are HUGE.
 
Good work! Note that the MS6 doesn't have the knobs, so you can omit that step.

Can you shrink the pics down in size a bit? Those things are HUGE.

Yes, I agree...they're huge lol. I hadn't realized it when I uploaded them to imageshack. I tried to see if there was an option to resize them in imageshack but all I got was the ability to rotate. I'd have to resize the originals and reupload to image shack, a process I don't have time for right now. If anyone wishes to take those images and repost it with them smaller, you have my full acceptance to do so.
 
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