Technical Removing stereo

[larkim]

Hi. I'm trying persuade SWMBO that having a newer head unit fitted to replace the factory fit "VDO" radio/CD player would be a good idea.

Before I get started, is there a guide anywhere about how to remove the stereo without damaging the overall fascia. I'm conscious that I may need to buy some replacement fascia, but at the moment I can't seem to find any screws or similar to remove the existing one.

Its a 2008 model dynamic plus if that's any help.

Thanks

Matt

 

[5abr3]

they usually come out of the holding cage using a set of keys, theres a couple of types of keys so either a multipla owner who has taken one out or seeing it would be needed to help any further

 

[FNG]

just done this last week. It is dead easy.

You will need a replacement facia. I bought one of these, it's not perfect but it's pretty good and it turned up like the next day. See item 320291179012 on ebay (sorry, not allowed to post ULR's yet)

To remove the old radio, if you look at it you will see four holes on the outside, one in each corner. I got 4 lenghts of round metal wire about 4mm wide and 3 inches long. I made it from a paint tin handle but apparently a metal coat hanger works pretty well.

I got a generic Tavion radio (aldi but takes SD cards) and it fits, but not very well. I had to remove the bottom ashtray to fiddle with the wires and the wire bundle is too big to get a decent snug fit. I will probably need to refit it when I have more time and can done down some of the wires. I also needed a aireal adapter which cost me £2 from a local car alarm/stereo place,

FNG

 

[larkim]

Removing the radio I think I could be OK with - but how do I remove the existing fascia? Without moving the fascia I can't see if there are the usual 4 holes to stick a coat hanger into.

Do I just yank?

Matt

 

[Zundapp]

The existing grey plastic 'facia' is a moulded part of the one-piece FIAT radio face moulding. You'll need the ebay item already referred to to take up the space that a standard radio facia doesn't cover. It's easier to do than to explain!

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Without moving the fascia I can't see if there are the usual 4 holes to stick a coat hanger into.

Do I just yank?

You need to pop the removable radio fascia off first (the 'anti-theft' part with teh buttons and display on it). The four holes can then be seen in the corners of the 'space' that gets left behind. (On mine, which had a Blaupunkt radio originally, there was a very small black button at the top right of the radio that popped the anti-theft fascia off)

Once the radio is out (it just slides out after inserting four rods, nails, or the proper tools which 'click' in to make it easier -- only a couple of quid), the dashboard part that needs replacing is held to the rest of the dash by little metal tabs bent round in the 'cage' the radio slid out from. Straighten these out to remove it.

 

[Zundapp]

It just shows you - there must be different Multi radios. Mine didn't have an anti-theft cover, the whole thing (facia, radio), came out in a oner. Oh well, have fun!

 

[larkim]

Unfortunately, my stereo appears to be nothing like any of the ones you are describing!!

It doesn't have a removeable anti-theft top to it. And it doesn't have visible holes.

Instead it has a fascia which overlaps the front of the stereo (badged as a "VDO" stereo) and which also folds downwards towards the ashtray. Its this fascia which I believe I'll need to get off to have any hope of seeing how to remove the stereo body itself.

Matt

 

[larkim]

Re: Removing stereo - update

Well, I did the hard bit - persuaded SWMBO that I could buy a new stereo.

Now for the easy bit - or so I thought!

It appears that the newer Multiplas have a different stereo fitting than others. Good in most respects I think though.

THey no longer supply a stereo which has a moulded fascia. The stereo included is a VDO model, which has a separate fascia (very similar to the replacement fascias seen on ebay etc). I can get my fingers underneath the replacement fascia at the top, and ping it out. But at the bottom, where it curves down towards the ashtray, I can't get the two plastic catches to release at all.

I'm loathe to start unscrewing things, but if I did where would you recommend I started? There are two screws either side of the ashtray, but I don't believe they are holding anything in that is relevant to getting the stereo out.

Once I've got this fascia off, getting the stereo itself out will be straightfoward - I just need to get that damned fascia off without breaking anything!!!

Any help gratefully received!

Matt

 

[gw0udm]

Hi

I think the best thing to do is to take out the whole of the ashtray assembly, as this will give you very good access below the radio. It's a good idea anyway, as there is not much space to fit all the wires in otherwise.

On mine, I needed to remove the two screws at the top of the ashtray, two more right at the back at the bottom of the assembly, then also the cupholder (1 screw) and another screw hidden behind it.

Once you've done all this, the whole section should come out quite easily and give you very good access. You may even be able to pop the radio out from behind, or at the very least access the catches that you need.

Are you sure you can't remove the radio without the facia?

My only problem has been getting the assembly back on again. Although it is all back in place as originally fitted, it seems to me that the ashtray does not quite close properly - but this may be to do with the replacement facia I've fitted.

Hope this helps

James

 

[Pandabloke]

Right, ok trusty camera phone at the ready again! I have taken some pics of the stereo in my '57 plated Multipla. There was a very similar stereo in my 2002 Multi as well, but it had a pop off front facia. It was removable from the dash in exactly the same way as this one though, by putting 2 tools in 4 holes.

Both stereos are Blaupunkt but this, later, one only says it on the back. You don't know it's a Blaupunkt when you see it in place. The earlier one says it on the facia.

Now I am absolutely sure that Matt does not have this or the other type stereo BUT just to clarify here are some pics of what most of us have, or similar.

Pics taken at night with camera phone and its built in flash, so apologies for poor quality! (Click the pics and they should get bigger.)


1. My radio in dash. Other type looks vaguely similar but is sort of beige and is a tape player! (Well, mine was!)

2. Here are the two holes that the tool locates in, on the left of the 'Mute 'and 'Aud' buttons. These holes are on the left and there are matching one on the right of the stereo face. To find the holes on the other style radio (beige?!) the facia has to be 'popped off', I think.

3. Forked removal tool about to enter the holes. Same on other side, obviously.

4. Tool fully inserted in holes. With the same done on the other side of the stereo face, you jiggle and pull (ooer!) and coax the stereo from the dash.


This should go to prove that Matt has a completely different stereo!

 

[larkim]

This should go to prove that Matt has a completely different stereo!

Pandabloke

Indeed it does!! Humbled by your efforts, at 11.40pm tonight I headed out with my camera to take some photos!

None of which are very good, but you get the picture. I don't know if Fiat have changed the spec in 08, but this is what I have!!

It looks to me like they've taken the very sensible route of not trying to build anything fancy, just stick in a straightforward stereo with a removeable fascia - its just that I can't remove the fascia!! As in the pic, I can get my fingers behind the top of the fascia and release both of the clips around the top, but I can't get the bottom to shift.

Matt

 

[Zundapp]

Hmm, it's nothing like mine either so I'm no help at all!

I've just bought a 24" crowbar though. You can borrow it if you like....

 

[larkim]

lol

I'm hoping it doesn't come to that!

Matt

 

[Pandabloke]

Chainsaw?

 

[Pandabloke]

Matt. Did you buy the car brand new?

Mine has a stereo manual/instruction book with it which sort of tells you this stuff, I think.

My water says that what you have there is an after market stereo, but if it was brand new then obviously not.

 

[Pandabloke]

Oh bugger. I stand corrected. A quick google has shown that Fiat have fitted VDO radios as standard before. Sorry.

 

[gw0udm]

I've seen one in a showroom just like this as well. My initial thought was 'well that will save a lot of hard work when it comes to changing it' - but apparently not!

Having looked at your pics, I think the best plan still is to get the whole ashtray out. You'll then have access to the bottom of the facia and it should be easy to prise up the locking tabs and release it.

Then you'll find it's welded to the old radio somehow

James

 

[larkim]

Had another go tonight. Not ideal doing it by the light of the cabin lights plus the torch on my phone!

Removed the screw holding the cup holder in and removed the cup holder. There was another screw behind that that I did not remove - perhaps tomorrow I will do that too.

Then removed the four screws that hold in the ash-tray. By doing this I could prise the ashtray forwards enough to get a good luck at my opponents here (picture below, marked < HERE)

It looks like the plastic bits that hold the bottom of the fascia in place aren't designed to be simply pushed back and removed - they look like they are intended to go in one direction only.

Anyway, got cold, took photo, put screws back and came back indoors!

Plan now is to wait until the weekend when I'll take out that other screw from behind the cup holder and then I should be able to remove the whole ashtray area, and then either attack the plastic with some snips, or brute force things!!

And to answer a previous question, yes the Multi is brand new from a Fiat dealer.

Matt

 

[Pandabloke]

What a lot of fisticuffs with a bloody radio! Good luck with it mate. We can offer you nought but moral support but we at least offer you that! Keep up the commentary, I'm loving it!