breezer

Please excuse my incompetence, but this has been bothering me for long enough and I don't want to break my head unit or the dash surrounding it. Not that I've really tried more than a couple of times.

How do I get my Stereo head unit out? (Sony tape player head unit supporting external at least 1 external source).

Despite hints from Andy Tang and others, I haven't yet found out how to get to the slots to insert the old bits of wire or proper tools to remove my Sony head unit. Pic enclosed below to make it clearer what I mean - you've got the unit, in the metal casing that it comes out with (I've taken a Corsa unit out before so I'm familiar with how the two slots at each side work), but I can't see where the two holes are to get something in. It looks like they're covered by the flimsy plastic surround that you can pull the top and bottom bits away, but not get underneath or shift sideways/any-ways where it's attached, to pull it off.
The bit of plastic marked in red on the pic. Am I right trying to move this, or do I need to do something else - remove the screws you can see? They all seem too far in to the centre of the unit to be access points for the slots. Do I need another special tool? I don't really want to go ask a dealer or car stereo specialist to do it 'cos I don't have any income at the moment. The reason for this is to check whether I have a spare connector for my MD multi-changer behind it, I already have a CD-changer on there. When I bought the car the guy said he thought it did (it's a sony XR-C650RDS). If I don't, I shall have to buy Andy's source selector and put that in. Or give up on one of the changers.

Once this is done all I need to do is get the wire through, which I have started already, but may be asking for suggestions/help on that one later too.



(in case you didn't read the above, no I didn't paint the plastic bits red, it's Paintshop Pro'd to point out the exact bits I mean)

Mr.Manchester

on my unit the square face is attached, there should be two slots under the square fascia that i have marked.
Use something like 2 small jigsaw blades and slide the in the slots and lift them up slightly, the stereo should then release from its cage.

SlowBoy

iTrader: (1)

AFAIK this should simply pull off, without much effort. Certainly a lot less effort than that required to post this topic. Definitely doesn't require undoing the screws. Hope you get it sorted.

andyVI

On some Sony units the plastic surround removes on others it's attached. If it is removable, it will normally be held in place at the two sides. The Sony units I've fitted have two slots rather than holes and not having the appropriate tool handy, I made them up using an old credit card (or similar), just cut two thin strips and pushed them into the slots as far as they would go. Once pushed in the unit should pull forward. Hope this helps.

Andy

breezer

Thanks for the tips guys - will be trying again with my new knowledge today, and will report back.

It certainly wasn't an easy to remove plastic 'cage' - thin and flimsy plastic, but not easily pop on and off-able (sounds like the old gas advert, that does). I've pulled the top and bottom struts away but there's no obvious markings for holes. Will have a go at what you've all said.

breezer

Hi again! Success!!

Got the head unit off ok. Yes, that front plastic bit is removable - should have tried a bit of the same technique. I'd seen the space for you to insert something each side, but just tried using that as a lever. Having pulled the whole thing out (a couple of expired old cards do fine, thanks) I now see how it's attached.

Now the disappointment - there's only one bus lead socket and one bus audio in. Saw the front/rear line out's and made me think about an amp though... Mustn't get contemplating that, what with no money'n'all. I'm not into ICE in a big way anyway. Plenty happy enough with quality of standard speakers (even if they're only a bit average) - I get my decent hi-fi at home (my floorstanders wouldn't fit in the car anyway ).

So...

a) Sell both MD changer(6-disc) & CD changer(10-disc) and get a digital mp3 thing with a load of storage and transfer it all to that (ugh...)
b) Sell one of them and be happy with just 10 or just 6 discs to choose from (I want more choice!)
c) Get a source selector (need to ask Andy...)

I'm really lazy and can't be arsed to look - how much is a vaguely decent (preferably sony) mp3 player or cd player that'll read CDs full of mp3s?
Or just read a tonne of CDs including my own written ones?

Derek FKS 85

Sony £350 approx. You can pay up to £1200 though which has a 10 gig hard drive!!

breezer

Mm.. Cheers for the info, I'm going with the source selector solution though.

12LEE

Before you do....

The Dension DMP3 has 80GB and can be controlled by Sony head units.

Alberick

Not sure what you're trying to do but I would recommend removing the dash surround, it will then be clear that your unit is probably attached (with screws) in the inside of the dash...?

breezer

Alberick, it's ok - no screws to worry about for the head unit. Once I come to fitting the source selector in a few weeks time I hope I can get at the cables/spaces easily enough not to have any more significant problems.