:bang:

Thought today I'd get my new Pioneer F900BT installed into the car whilst off work for Christmas and New Year.

So this morning I went out with the removal keys I picked up from the dealer before Xmas to pull out the original headunit. I have managed to get the unit out about 2-3 inch but now it won't budge any further The keys don't seem to help either. If I push it back into place it locks back in again. I use the keys and it unlocks from it's position again but still only comes out 2-3 inch before refusing to move further!!

I decided I'd phone my local dealership and ask how much they'd charge to remove the unit. They were nice enough to say if it just slipped out as it should do it was a 10sec job and wouldn't charge. However, their next available time to book it in was 25th February 2009!!! I asked if it was a 10sec job could I not pop in at the start or end of the day and have it done then. The guy said nope it would need to be officially booked in.

So can anyone help!! I've had a quick look to see if there was a way of removing surrounding areas of dashboard etc to eventually free the unit? Basically dig the unit out. From what I can see I need to get the Headunit out before I can gain access to anything else such as bolts/screws etc to start removing dash parts and facias etc.

Just typically my luck this :bang:

there's probably a notch somewhere, I'd use a thin blade on all 4 sides.

Tad-bravo said:

there's probably a notch somewhere, I'd use a thin blade on all 4 sides.

Click to expand...

Thanks

I don't want to go probing blindly and risk damaging something else. With my luck that'll happen

I was hoping someone could point to where a notch or screw may be located so I can get to it rather than dismantle my gorgeous Bravo searching blindly

I've thought about as well simply dismantling the headunit itself. Either in a technical patient way (I.e. removing front panel and basically eating my way into the unit until it's in bits or by the good old fashioned hammer and smash method .

Once I get the unit out to be honest I wouldn't be sad if it was unable to be used again. I'd probably stick it away in a cupboard for years then sell the car forget I had it and end up binning it eventually anyway as I usually do lol

when you take the cd player out there is a massive gap, where did you get the facia to fit a standard size cd player in it?

danny120T said:

when you take the cd player out there is a massive gap, where did you get the facia to fit a standard size cd player in it?

Click to expand...

That's because the original stereo is a double DIN sized unit.

It is also not a single DIN sized unit that I am fitting, I am installing the Pioneer F900BT.

There is also a facia adapter available if you do wish to install the normal single DIN unit.

Facia's for both a double and single DIN install are available from various online audio retailers, Use google to search and you'll find both.

Follow up examples of both available..............................

https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m--ct24ft14_p-23529.htm

http://www.dvbcaraudio.co.uk/fiat-bravo-double-facia-free-delivery-p-3749.html

BRAV-OH!! said:

Thanks

I don't want to go probing blindly and risk damaging something else. With my luck that'll happen

I was hoping someone could point to where a notch or screw may be located so I can get to it rather than dismantle my gorgeous Bravo searching blindly

I've thought about as well simply dismantling the headunit itself. Either in a technical patient way (I.e. removing front panel and basically eating my way into the unit until it's in bits or by the good old fashioned hammer and smash method .

Once I get the unit out to be honest I wouldn't be sad if it was unable to be used again. I'd probably stick it away in a cupboard for years then sell the car forget I had it and end up binning it eventually anyway as I usually do lol

Click to expand...

you won't damage or break anything, it's the standard procedure with any stuck stereo.

the cables are far from the sides.

Tad-bravo said:

you won't damage or break anything, it's the standard procedure with any stuck stereo.

the cables are far from the sides.

Click to expand...

Cool. I'll give it a try tomorrow morning and see where I get. I suspect a few more bad words will be uttered

Tad-bravo said:

there's probably a notch somewhere, I'd use a thin blade on all 4 sides.

Click to expand...

Thanks mate!!! I have it out at last :worship:

The two retaining clips had bent completely out of position meaning that even with the keys the clips wouldn't be pushed back far enough to release the unit.

Anyway I got two flat-bladed screw drivers down either side and had to eventually force both clips to break to release the unit.

Anyway unit is now out and the Pioneer should be here in the morning before 9am :slayer:

I'll get some photo's once it's installed.

you should of used the search function, I (and others) had this problem a while back where the side retaining clips were bent....still its out now, hope you didn't mark the old unit/dash?

https://www.fiatforum.com/bravo/137139-stereo-removal.html

T14086 said:

you should of used the search function, I (and others) had this problem a while back where the side retaining clips were bent....still its out now, hope you didn't mark the old unit/dash?

https://www.fiatforum.com/bravo/137139-stereo-removal.html

Click to expand...

I did search but the outcome of that thread was to strip the dash (unless you let us in on the secret of you're little tool). I didn't want to go to that extreme to remove a headunit.

Managed to get it out without leaving a mark on anything

oh I forgot about that.......and it aint that little

Come on then brav ho let us in to the secret. Mine comes out 2 inches how did you get it out.

Any pictures?

T14086 said:

oh I forgot about that.......and it aint that little

Click to expand...

Is it a big tool you have then

If it was available I'd have used it

stiloryan said:

Come on then brav ho let us in to the secret. Mine comes out 2 inches how did you get it out.

Any pictures?

Click to expand...

Sorry no photo's as it was just a case of try everything until it worked and when it did celebrate

Basically what did it for me was using two narrow flat-bladed screw drivers. Force these between the plastic runners on each side of the unit, that are visable if you have the unit out a few inches, and the housing cage.

Now with a bit of luck you'll get the screw-driver head down the correct side of the retaining clip and this will force the clip to bend back into it's correct position and beyond and the unit will release. The worst case is you bend the clip the opposite way. In this case the clip will break but the unit will release also.

To be honest it is a bit of blind luck. Just be careful and make sure you take calculated actions. Don't just go stabbing things all around the unit to try and get it out. That way you will go breaking or damaging something.

Good luck

fancy a trip to leeds and doing it for me

i'll grab my coat

stiloryan said:

fancy a trip to leeds and doing it for me

Click to expand...

Get a large hammer and have fun

Just watch not to mark any of the dash

cheers for them sites wiv the facia's on i am gonna order one nw