RADIO STUCK even with removal keys, what are my options?

[4BUCK]

Had both Best Buy and a car audio/electronics store try to get my Symphony radio out, a combined 2 1/2 hours of failure. They said the mechanism that the key is supposed to catch is broken (both on the left side).

So what are my options. One guy said I can "snap" the faceplate off but it might not go back on very securely. Does anybody have a DIY for removing the center console? Trying to install an ice>Link Plus and cellphone mount. Thanks guys!

[4BUCK]

I noticed someone on AW suggested removing the glove box and driver knee bolster and using a coat hanger from behind to get those damn pins. Anyone tried this or know how to remove the driver's knee bolster?

[Poopie]

When i bought my car, the owner lost the security code making the radio useless. So i just took some pliers and ripped the stupid thing out. You might not wanna go this route becuase it is possible you will destroy your unit. You can snap the faceplate off and it will go on just and snuggly. With out the keys or a way of unlatching the tabs, it will take a ton of force to pull it out.

[4ingDrive]

It won't come out because you had a bunch of amatuers work on it. If you push the keys in too far you damage the tabs holding the radio in. It won't easily come out with the keys now. Snapping the faceplate off will do just that, destroy it. Or at least run a high risk of ruining it.
You can try to remove the bolster and glove box first and try to pry the tabs in. To remove the bolster remove the inserts in it and the fuse panel. Then remove those three 8mm bolts. There is also another one on the lower right.

If that doesn't work you'll have to remove the center console.

[greski]

I dont know if the symphony has the same locking mechanism as a concert, but i had the exact same problem...the car audio guy couldnt get my head unit out. I ended up getting it out in about 10 seconds with 2 very skinny standard (flat head) screw drivers. If you look in the holes with a flashlight, you can kinda see where the tools are suppose to catch. Good luck.

[4BUCK]

Thanks guys. While you were replying I was going at it...I took apart the driver's side bolster and that didn't help me much since I'm not sure what to look for. I managed to pop off the faceplate without any damage. My car is a 2001 and the faceplate came off pretty painlessly. It was just 4 screws snuggly pressing on the sides of the faceplate and it looks like it will be snug when it goes back on. I'm gonna bring it back to Best Buy and have them finish it, the guys were pretty chill and didn't charge me to tinker with it for about a half hour, they said should I get the faceplace they could do the rest. On the other hand, people in my region: I went to the Electronic Super Store, they made me wait for 2 hours, then told me they couldn't do it, then charged me $35 for labor! Never going back there!

[4BUCK]

greski:

You removed the headunit with a screwdriver?! I think I am now able to see where the tool is supposed to latch, it's like a hooked bracket bending towards the front of the car. I don't know what to do from here, I'd like to be able to do it myself and not have to pay anybody!

Should the clips "hooked brackets" be pulled towards the rear of the car then pushed to the outside of the radio, in esence tucking them out of the way? I don't want to brake anything more than it allready is.

[4ingDrive]

The clips should be pushed toward the radio. I'm glad you got it apart without any damage. You'd be suprised at the crap I see people do to their cars when in a frenzy to install their new toys.

[4BUCK]

^^ I'm sorry, "toward the radio" is kinda broad...haha. I take it you mean pushed toward the front of the car? Thanks again!

[4ingDrive]

Inward toward the center of the radio.

[4BUCK]

^ Thanks a lot, god I love Audizine!

[4BUCK]

GOT IT!! I was looking at the wrong "pins". For people searching for radio removal pins, the are less of a pin as they are a bracket. Like a blocky B, they are less then a half inch back from where the faceplate attaches. I was looking back a few inches because the removal keys are about 4 inches long. Glad that's all over with! Now to go repurchase the ice-Link Plus and mounting bracket I returned today...