Radio Removal - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

jaykay · 03-08-2020, 02:52 PM

Yes I did a search.....just about to pull the radio but she will not budge. Just wondering if I have the tools correctly. Can't seem to remember and don't want to break anything. Spread apart and pull if remember correctly. Yes?

It does not budge. The tools are locked in!

jaykay · 03-08-2020, 04:31 PM

Anecdotes indicate there is a lot of force needed. So slight movement out and then pull? I am doing this but the keys are deforming....

Zzorro · 03-08-2020, 05:44 PM

The head units are def in there pretty good. I know mine required a good pull! But deforming the keys sounds a bit too hard. After getting mine pulled out, it was clear that the keys are designed to pull the clips inward (towards the center of the head unit) so that it can clear the frame. I would try pushing the deck in all the way. Pushing the keys in hard/more and then tugging again.

If you wreck your head unit, I'm looking for a replacement faceplate! :-)

Thanks again for selling me those struts. They are all installed and made a huge difference to my ride.

jaykay · 03-09-2020, 03:04 PM

Yeah I am close to breaking something and there is no access to release the keys...........so a face plate maybe in your future. There still stuck in there

Glad the struts worked out and good use is being made of all that hardware! S spec is a good street set up for sure

jcp · 03-09-2020, 05:49 PM

Mine was super tight when I first removed it, (99 Base). You might remove the center console side panels and see if you can get a hand in behind the radio to push while you pull with the other. Once mine 'gave' it came out fairly easy. Do your tools look like these? https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-porsche-parts/radio-removal-tools/00072195701/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0pfzBRCOARIsANi0g0td8LKbdZ7Pj6g-5_Ke32oC4yC_9rcyQhyUefEA9NCeLtQwZCpQXa8aAulqEALw_w cB
You can also remove the climate control head and reach through there.

Burg Boxster · 03-10-2020, 06:55 AM

As mentioned, try pushing the head unit in a little bit and likewise the keys. They do not need pushed outward or toward the center of the unit, just straight in to grab the clips of the head unit.

Use a screwdriver placed into each key finger slot to pull on like a T-handle. Will give you more leverage and even pulling. First time removal is very difficult.

Good luck

jaykay · 03-10-2020, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcp

Mine was super tight when I first removed it, (99 Base). You might remove the center console side panels and see if you can get a hand in behind the radio to push while you pull with the other. Once mine 'gave' it came out fairly easy. Do your tools look like these? https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-porsche-parts/radio-removal-tools/00072195701/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0pfzBRCOARIsANi0g0td8LKbdZ7Pj6g-5_Ke32oC4yC_9rcyQhyUefEA9NCeLtQwZCpQXa8aAulqEALw_w cB
You can also remove the climate control head and reach through there.

Yes these are the tools. Thanks for the tips!

jaykay · 03-10-2020, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burg Boxster

As mentioned, try pushing the head unit in a little bit and likewise the keys. They do not need pushed outward or toward the center of the unit, just straight in to grab the clips of the head unit.

Use a screwdriver placed into each key finger slot to pull on like a T-handle. Will give you more leverage and even pulling. First time removal is very difficult.

Good luck

Thanks for the advise....yes was cocking them both outwards. Will try not doing that.

The temperature just dropped like the stock market; so I will wait until thing are less cold and brittle

jaykay · 03-12-2020, 06:03 PM

Thanks for the tips I did get it out!

This is headed down a slot. I am just wondering if there is any additional hardware required to relocate and lock it in. It does not appear so. It looks like the cables will reach back, around and down past the steel box in there.

There is what looks like spring loaded flap with a ground strip attached to it on the left side. Have all incorporated this somehow in the centre console top slot. This is it here

Top console slot:

morgal48 · 03-13-2020, 08:16 AM

To prevent removal of my fingertips while pulling I cut two short pieces of PVC pipe, inserted those through the finger cutters, and it is much easier to remove.

jaykay · 03-13-2020, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morgal48

To prevent removal of my fingertips while pulling I cut two short pieces of PVC pipe, inserted those through the finger cutters, and it is much easier to remove.

Finger cutters! Bang on! This a great idea...would also prevent deformation of the tools. Silly me I expected the tools to be comesurate with the force required will using them

lkchris · 03-15-2020, 09:43 AM

On mine, I take off the entire surround (switch mounts first) which then somehow makes it easier to detach the radio.

jaykay · 03-15-2020, 12:00 PM

Got it out but am still wondeing about the phantom spring loaded ground strip and connector in there and whether it is needed for good reception in the lower din slots as noted below.

Any special hardware needed to place it down there?

jcp · 03-15-2020, 01:00 PM

It's my understanding the connector you refer to is a trigger for the alarm if the radio is removed while the car is locked.

jaykay · 03-15-2020, 01:34 PM

Wow that makes total sense! Did you bridge two pins on the connector to prevent this alarm? I am not getting anything but won't be starting the car for a while. I can test with ignition on though

jcp · 03-15-2020, 03:37 PM

Just leave the brown with blue stripped wire disconnected (the wire that's plugged into the ground strap).....tape over the connector end. You don't want it to ground....that's what keys the alarm. Ti
This may give you a single horn beep when you set the alarm......the computer may think the radio has been stolen.