[jjdche]

I'm going to be installing a Parrot CK3100 Bluetooth Car Kit in my uncle's SRX tomorrow and I was wondering if anyone had some pointers on getting at the stereo. Specifically removing the dash pieces.

Is it a tough job or is it mostly clips?

Any info would be appreciated.

-Jason

 

[caddysrx]

I recently removed my bose radio to install an FM realtime traffic receiver I bought to connect to my Garmin GPS. I asked my local Caddy dealer's service advisor if they would install it for me but he said they normally do not install aftermarket products. He was nice enough to print out the instructions for removing the radio from the GM service website, which is password protected. I have scanned the instructions (for the purpose of emailing to a friend who thought he could do it for me, but I eventually did it myself) and attached the pdf file below. You need to first remove the top center air vent cover. I didn't unplug the hazard light wire, I just rested the vent cover on the dashboard. Next you need to remove the plastic ashtray cover and remove the screw - all screws have hex heads. I also did not fully disconnect the HVAC assembly. You just need enough space to expose the 4 radio screws. I used the back part (claw?) of a hammer to remove the air vent cover and HVAC assembly, since it fit in the very narrow gap between the cover and the dash. I was very careful in doing so and I probably sweated off a couple of pounds in the process. The antenna plug is in the back right side of the radio. I believe the antenna plug is an ISO. Good luck. Let me know how it turns out.

***I tried to upload the pdf file but it exceeds the limit allowed by the forum. If you reply with your email address, I would be happy to send it to you that way.

 

[robhersch]

CaddySRX,
Read the above; although I did not make the request for help, I also would appreciate your emailing me the .pdf file to >>[email protected]<<
Thanks in advance. robhersch --2005 SRX N* V8 RWD, Blue Chip/Ebony--

 

[mbarnz]

Same here, I have an '04 SRX and I just bought the nav system from an '04 SRX, I'm gonna try to swap for my 8 speaker bose system. I'd really appreciate the instructions too. my addy is: [email protected]. Thanks! -mike

 

[r_casino]

Sounds similar to the CTS....maybe this'll help:

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/answers/radbezel.html

 

[jjdche]

I recently removed my bose radio to install an FM realtime traffic receiver I bought to connect to my Garmin GPS. I asked my local Caddy dealer's service advisor if they would install it for me but he said they normally do not install aftermarket products. He was nice enough to print out the instructions for removing the radio from the GM service website, which is password protected. I have scanned the instructions (for the purpose of emailing to a friend who thought he could do it for me, but I eventually did it myself) and attached the pdf file below. You need to first remove the top center air vent cover. I didn't unplug the hazard light wire, I just rested the vent cover on the dashboard. Next you need to remove the plastic ashtray cover and remove the screw - all screws have hex heads. I also did not fully disconnect the HVAC assembly. You just need enough space to expose the 4 radio screws. I used the back part (claw?) of a hammer to remove the air vent cover and HVAC assembly, since it fit in the very narrow gap between the cover and the dash. I was very careful in doing so and I probably sweated off a couple of pounds in the process. The antenna plug is in the back right side of the radio. I believe the antenna plug is an ISO. Good luck. Let me know how it turns out.

***I tried to upload the pdf file but it exceeds the limit allowed by the forum. If you reply with your email address, I would be happy to send it to you that way.

Thank you, I really appreciate the help.

You can send it to deleted

I'll let everyone know how it goes...

 

[caddysrx]

Thank you, I really appreciate the help.

You can send it to [email protected]

I'll let everyone know how it goes...

I received an undelivered do not have proper authentication message for the email I sent to you. I attempted from both of my email accounts. Do you have an alternate email address such as hotmail, yahoo, etc?

 

[jjdche]

I received an undelivered do not have proper authentication message for the email I sent to you. I attempted from both of my email accounts. Do you have an alternate email address such as hotmail, yahoo, etc?

Yeah, sorry about that, our email at work is down today.

You can send it to [email protected]

Thanks again,

-Jason

 

[ewill3rd]

It's exactly the same process as CTS.

The screw behind the ashtray has a 7mm head, or 9/32".
The screws that hold the radio in are 10mm head.
It's easy in a sense but sometimes the spring clips on the HVAC control put up a fight.
I use a small pocket screwdriver under the corner on the passenger's side at the bottom of the unit. If you turn the key on and pull the shifter to the bottom you have extra room to pull the control out but set the park brake first so you don't roll.
The vent pops out pretty easily, if you just turn it upside down and lay it on the top of the dash you don't have to disconnect the wires, which if you have tried you realize is a major pain.

 

[caddysrx]

I followed the same approach in removing my radio as you had mentioned. I had to do it twice. I installed an FM TMC traffic receiver that connects between the antenna and the radio and sends realtime traffic updates to my garmin GPS. Both sets of cables that garmin provided were not compatible with the SRX radio (which I discovered after I removed the radio the first time), despite that one of the sets is designed for GM radios. I checked garmin's website for additional resources and there was a picture of a 3rd set of cables (ISO) that looked like the set that matched the SRX radio. The website indicated that those set of cables are included with the units that they ship to UK and European customers. After speaking to their customer service they mailed the proper set of cables to me and I suggested to them that they include those cables to USA customers as well. Removing the center console and radio went a little bit more smoothly the second time. I didn't know if there was a specific tool used to pry the vent cover and HVAC unit from the clips, but I used the claw of a hammer and prayed that I wouldn't damage anything.

 

[dietermod]

:bouncy: You are a saint. PLEASE send me one @ [email protected]. Thank you.:worship:

 

[jjdche]

Well, this is a very informative thread. Thanks to everyone for contributing!

 

[jjdche]

Well, I was able to open up the radio/NAV system fairly easily. Some of the spring clips were a little tough, but overall it wasn't too bad.

Now, the next problem. I'm going to make a custom harness to install this hands free kit, but I can't find any wiring information for the SRX. I've looked around and there seems to be plenty of info on CTS wiring, but it's not the same as the SRX wiring. There is a 32-pin, 20-pin, 16-pin, 5-pin and 1-pin connector back there. I mapped out the wire colors, but I don't have any info on what the different color wires do. Is there any info out there on SRX radio/NAV wiring?

 

[fuscob]

jjdche, there is a thread pretty high up in this forum (rear seat entertainment sound or some such title) that has the pinout for the radio.

A question: I seem to remember hearing that if you removed the plastic ashtray insert, you could get to an antenna connection. Is this true? If so, I'd like to install an FM modulator there. If not, do I have to take out the whole radio or is there a better way?

 

[ewill3rd]

Hmmm, I think there is a coax connection behind the ashtray.
Let me double check.
Here is a picture of the CTS dash, number 1 should be a good coax connection to tie in a modulator. The one on the back of the radio is kind of a strange connector and probably wouldn't work.
Looks like it's on the right side of the console. You might be able to access it by just pulling the carpet back on the side of the console.

 

[fuscob]

Yeah, that's perfect. I would want to tie in the modulator right there. Taking the ashtray off is no problem, it's probably preferable to pulling back the carpet. thanks ewill!

 

[ewill3rd]

I looked at one today. You can do it either way. The carpet just pulls back quite easily actually, but if you need to get in there...
remove the coin tray and there is a hole in the center, there's a 7mm screw in there, then the whole hvac control and ash tray come out together.
I think it was noted above but I just wanted to say it again.
It's right there, I had my hands on one today.

 

[fuscob]

Another question: is it easy to get to the cupholder area from back behind the ashtray? If so, I'll put the on/off switch for the FM modulator in there (and maybe the whole installation).

While I'm asking questions, where would be the best place to attach 12v power to the modulator? Is it better to splice into the cigarette lighter power, or should/can I run the wire to the fusebox?

Thanks for your help, ewill3rd! I appreciate it.

 

[ewill3rd]

Switched ignition feeds are hard to find these days.
Maybe I can find a place for you to get Retained Accessory power or something. You have to be careful about connections that are designed to be "key on" feeds because if you hook them into B+ they can drain the battery.

Remind me later and I'll see what I can find for a power tap.

The center console comes out in just a few minutes. The only hard part is getting the shifter trimplate off. Otherwise it's just 6 bolts and you lift it up.
I am sure if you had it off you'd find all sorts of access underneath.

You want fused power feeds but you don't really want to tie into the fuse boxes. It can ruin stuff.
More later

 

[fuscob]

Thanks again! Seems like powering the modulator will be hard. I know that it only requires a single power lead, not two. It has one wire for power and the other is for grounding. Is it okay just to splice into the cigarette lighter's power? That would be the most convenient power source.

Another idea I had was to run all of the power outlets to the rear seats - for example, install a 1-to-2 socket adapter (plugged in under the rear-seat entertainment thing), place that under the shifter area, and plug the XM radio and FM modulator into that. This way I wouldn't even need to splice anything and it would be easy to get power. In the end, I'd like to place the XM radio mounted in the ashtray assembly and have the fm modulator underneath the console or behind the HVAC/ashtray piece.

Could you give me more detail on removing the center console area? For example, where are the six bolts?

Thanks so much!