Technical Radio not coming out when using removal keys

[lewwiejinthemix]

Hello everyone, I recently bought a fiat Panda pop (2016), and have bought an aux installation kit online (I have no idea why a car this age would have this as standard). The problem is that the keys don't work; the radio doesn't pop out, and no matter how much force I use on them to pull the radio out, it won't budge more than a centimetre. I have googled this but no one appears to have had the same issue.

My backup plan was to have professionals install an aftermarket radio, but my concern is that I may have inadvertently broken the release mechanism (if there ever was one) inside the radio, preventing anyone from removing it.

My question is, can I use other tools/force to remove it without permanently damaging it or its housing, or am I stuck?

Many thanks.

 

[fourbie]

Hello everyone,

My question is, can I use other tools/force to remove it without permanently damaging it or its housing, or am I stuck?

Many thanks.

In my experience it is a common problem and I have met it a lots of times. Unhappily the type of so called 'key' varies as does the sides of the cage so my first reaction is do you have the original keys that came with the original radio. Why people do not pass on bits like this escapes me.

As for getting it out I have resorted to using all types of tool from a pair of kitchen knives cos it is thin to various blades. It all boils down to getting the springy bits of tin that latch in to the side of the radio away.

Once I have a radio out I disable the mechanism that holds it. I know it makes the radio more easily nicked but I have found that when I get a radio out once I find I get it out over and over.

I also found the space behind the radio in my Panda car to be limited so and wiring at the back will interfere with the radio going right in.

I am sorry this is not much help and maybe someone will have a definite method but if you persevere it will come out. I did have one that was needed what looked like an enormous paper clip and it was a nightmare.

One I removed by taking it and the cage out together but it needs access to the bendy bits.

 

[chris3234]

In my experience it is a common problem and I have met it a lots of times. Unhappily the type of so called 'key' varies as does the sides of the cage so my first reaction is do you have the original keys that came with the original radio. Why people do not pass on bits like this escapes me.

As for getting it out I have resorted to using all types of tool from a pair of kitchen knives cos it is thin to various blades. It all boils down to getting the springy bits of tin that latch in to the side of the radio away.

Once I have a radio out I disable the mechanism that holds it. I know it makes the radio more easily nicked but I have found that when I get a radio out once I find I get it out over and over.

I also found the space behind the radio in my Panda car to be limited so and wiring at the back will interfere with the radio going right in.

I am sorry this is not much help and maybe someone will have a definite method but if you persevere it will come out. I did have one that was needed what looked like an enormous paper clip and it was a nightmare.

One I removed by taking it and the cage out together but it needs access to the bendy bits.

OEM. Radio's Dont come with removal key's

 

[lewwiejinthemix]

In my experience it is a common problem and I have met it a lots of times. Unhappily the type of so called 'key' varies as does the sides of the cage so my first reaction is do you have the original keys that came with the original radio. Why people do not pass on bits like this escapes me.

As for getting it out I have resorted to using all types of tool from a pair of kitchen knives cos it is thin to various blades. It all boils down to getting the springy bits of tin that latch in to the side of the radio away.

Once I have a radio out I disable the mechanism that holds it. I know it makes the radio more easily nicked but I have found that when I get a radio out once I find I get it out over and over.

I also found the space behind the radio in my Panda car to be limited so and wiring at the back will interfere with the radio going right in.

I am sorry this is not much help and maybe someone will have a definite method but if you persevere it will come out. I did have one that was needed what looked like an enormous paper clip and it was a nightmare.

One I removed by taking it and the cage out together but it needs access to the bendy bits.

No, thank you for trying to help! As you alluded to, the original keys (if there were any) were not passed into me, so the pack I got off eBay had those generic for ones that fit two holes on each side. Because the newer Panda radios seem to have one hole each side, I had to bend these out of shape to get them in.

They could be the wrong shape, but something is telling me I've broken the release mechanism because when I plug the keys in, the left hand one stays when I pull but the right hand one comes straight out.

Out of frustration, I booked a new radio installation at Halfords, but if I can get this one out and install the aux wire I am going to cancel it and save myself the £140.

So does anyone have any idea where the holding mechanisms are and can they even be reached without the correct keys, assuming I haven't broken the release?

Many thanks

 

[fourbie]

I have dug out a couple of the cages I have floating around and as you can see they have differing latching systems but in general you need to depress them.

As I said sometimes I have pulled the whole lot out, cage and radio, by getting at the tabs around the edges.

 

[DaveMcT]

My OEM radio has the two pairs of DIN key holes and they actually work so the OEM 169 Panda radio does need DIN removal keys.

Sometimes it's better to cut the keys giving four J shape prongs. These can then be individually fitted and fiddled about until the radio releases.

 

[fourbie]

My question is, can I use other tools/force to remove it without permanently damaging it or its housing, or am I stuck?

Many thanks.

Any success??

 

[PuntoHowTo]

The correct method is to put the keys in the four holes, push them in as far as you can, you should feel some mechanical resistance as it pushes the clips to one side, then you put a hand on the end of each of the Two keys and while pulling the radio also pull the keys apart and out to the sides, this action helps push the clips out of the way further and also helps the keys grip into the radio itself for easier removal without the key just popping out over and over when you try.

 

[koalar]

The correct method is to put the keys in the four holes, push them in as far as you can, you should feel some mechanical resistance as it pushes the clips to one side, then you put a hand on the end of each of the Two keys and while pulling the radio also pull the keys apart and out to the sides, this action helps push the clips out of the way further and also helps the keys grip into the radio itself for easier removal without the key just popping out over and over when you try.

That’s pretty much what I do.

Depending on the keys you may have to jiggle them about a bit

It’s important not to force anything. Once the cage is bent your in a world of pain