How To: Remove car stereo

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:07 am

REMOVAL OF 2000-2005 DODGE NEON CAR STEREO

Introduction

Many Neon owners may have to replace damaged car stereos or want to upgrade to an aftermarket radio with more features.

These instructions explain how to remove a car stereo for Neon owners and members of the www.2gn.org forum.

Required tools:

Philips head screwdriver
Ratchet wrench
10mm socket

Getting Started

1. Make sure the car is parked and the ignition off.
2. Disconnect the cable from the negative battery post.

CAUTION: Be sure to disconnect the battery or damage to stereo and other electronics may result.

Removing Center Instrument Panel Bezel

1. Tilt the center air vents in the down and remove by pulling on the outer corners of each air vent.
2. Remove the screws retaining the top front of the bezel.
3. Remove the temperature control dials by pulling the dials straight out.
4. Remove bezel.

Removing Stereo

1. Unscrew the 4 screws retaining the stereo.
2. Pull the stereo partially out.
3. Remove wiring harness from rear of stereo by pressing on tab and pulling radio.
4. Remove antenna cable from rear of radio.
5. Fully remove stereo

Note: To reinstall a stock stereo, repeat instructions in reverse.
Note: 2000-2001 Dodge Neon radios have a 2 din wiring harness that is different from 2002 and later models.

Conclusion

The removal of the car stereo is a relatively simple process. Disconnecting the battery, removing the center instrument bezel, and removing the stereo are the 3 basic steps.

If you are not comfortable with completing the uninstallation seek a professional. Installation of aftermarket stereos may require additional hardware and tools.

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:17 am

Awesome. Thanks for the write-up !!

A friend of mine was just asking about pulling the cd player out of his 2005. Very timely info !!

Thanks again.

-Nick

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:04 pm

I had todo it as a tech. writting assignment in class so i figured id do something useful while i was at it.

Gnuserup · Post by **Gnuserup** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:39 pm

adding some pictures:

gcretro · Post by **gcretro** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:46 am

Have a 2004 Neon. Prev owner had a Panasonic CD player installed. (pretty clean install from what I see on the front)

I want to put in a different one that can play mp3's. Looking for once in craigslist.

1. Any idea if the harness would have to be changed. I haven't removed my existing one to see what's on the back.

2. Are these full din sizes?

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:20 pm

Din and a half. Tho the face plate adapter used for the Panasonic CD player might be DIN and 1/2 to DIN.

The harness, hopefully they bought a wiring adapter, and wired the Panasonic unit to the plug in adapter. Otherwise, there could be an evil wire monster lurking behind there. If they used a wiring adapter, you could re solder it to the "new" head unit.

Another note, I usually leave the HVAC knobs in place, and use the bezel to remove all four at once. Just seems easier.

robertknueppel · Post by **robertknueppel** » Sun May 20, 2012 1:49 pm

Hey thanks man! Good to see someone is helping those of us that dont konw how to do these things (Y)