'98 STS - Remove Radio

DavidDor said:

I need to remove the radio/climate control unit from the center console of my car. What I read was to remove the top face cover then remove the screw and entire unit will come out. Well, my unit is getting hung up below the HVAC control part. I can't seem to find any screws. What am I missing?

On a side note, part of the repair that I am doing stated "don't not disconnect the radio if you don't have the security code". Well, I read my manual and all it says is that the radio in attached to the VIN number of the car and will not operate in any other car. No mention of a security code.

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going off memory from several years ago -

the trim around the radio/climate control simply snaps off -

the radio and climate control are held in by two spring clips on the sides
and are removed as a single unit - THEN you separate them -

regarding the "security code" - YOU are correct -
the first time the radio was turned on - it "recorded" the VIN number of your car -
since then - EVERY time the radio is turned on -
it compares the stored VIN with the actual VIN -
if it matches - the radio plays -
if they do NOT match - the TheftLoc system locks the radio -
and requires a TECH2 scan tool to unlock it -

HOWEVER -
if you have the navigation radio - you MIGHT have a problem if you unplug it -

there is a small button battery in the NAV unit that keeps the NAV system software in memory -
IF/when this button battery goes dead - usually after 10 to 15 years - and you unplug the radio - the software gets erased -

you MUST have the NAV system software disc to re-install the software -
without this disc - the NAV radio will never work again -

DavidDor said:

Harry, thanks but how do I get access these lower two 7mm screws? Talk of the gray plastic popping off but I don't see how. Does the wood trim on the center console pop off?

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Does the wood trim on the center console pop off?
YUP - held in place by spring clips -

but FIRST you must remove the shift handle - LOTS of fun -
it just pulls off - sort of -
it too is secured by a round spring clip that sits in a groove -
the shift handle slides down the shaft and the spring lock goes over the shaft and snaps into a groove -

no easy to remove it - it takes brute force -
the best way is to turn the ignition ON - move the shift lever all the way down to 1st gear -
get into the back seat - and pull STRAIGHT UP - parallel to the shaft -

BE VERT CAREFUL - IT TAKES A LOT OF POWER - to yank it free -

and WHEN it releases - you are going to hit yourself in the chest - or head - or mouth -

more than one has knocked himself out -
more than one has knocked his front teeth out -

once the shift handle is off -
use a small flat-blade screwdriver and carefully pry the wood grain trim up - JUST ENOUGH - to unplug the wire harness -

have fun -