New Radio!

[Citizen Gain]

Hello Forum!

My new Cabriolet has an aftermarket cd/radio in it, and it's super lousy. Plus it's only playing out of the right channel. I happen to have a better head unit I want to put in.

Anybody know how to get the existing radio out of there? Do I need to remove that entire dash panel? Is it clipped on or screwed on or what?

Any info pertaining to this would be most helpful.

Thanks!

[Briano1234]

You probably have two thin metal pushers in the glove box, that you remove the face plate and push in on the left and right sides of the head unit to unlock it. Other wise you have to take the whole fascia out to effect repair or replacement.

[CalAltaDubber]

Again it would be nice to see a picture.

One problem with removing the whole dash panel is there are two screws used to mount the panel directly above the opening for the radio.

You need to remove the head unit first.

As Brian mentioned, modern head units usually are secured by a release on either side. Once released, the head unit should slide right out.

Hopefully the previous owner used an adapter harness to connect to the existing wiring. Unfortunatly this is not always the case.

I would assume that the reason you only hear one side is a bad connection. There are two places I would check. First is where the speaker wires pass into the front of the door.
The other is the connection to the head unit. If the P/O spliced the new unit in, it could be a bad connection there.

Since you are planning on replacing the head unit anyway, I strongly suggest redoing all the connections if it was spliced in. Especially if the P/O made connections by twisting the wires together and wrapping it with electrical tape. (I hate morons that do that) .

Anayway, I hope this helps. Let us know how it is working out for you.

[Citizen Gain]

I'll post some more pics as soon as I can!

[kamzcab86]

Any place that sells/installs car audio equipment will have the keys to remove the head unit.

[Citizen Gain]

Hey guys! I managed to get the old unit out of there, and I spliced the wiring harness for my new radio.

But.

It appeared as though the previous owner had merged wires for the the front speakers with the rear speakers, and connected them as a single stereo pair. Now, I hooked it up to my radio the same way, but only because I was unsure of a couple of things. Firstly, I was unsure if the 87 Cab even HAD rear speakers, and if all the P/O splicing was legit or what. Secondly, I was wondering, if in fact it DID have rear speakers, what the wiring would be? Which colored wires correspond to which speakers, for example?

Anybody got a diagram?

[CalAltaDubber]

Yes '87 Cabbys do have rear speakers. They are mounted behind the card beside the seat.

Sounds like the P/O did a hack job wiring.

I'll post the connections for your speakers tonight.

[Briano1234]

Radio wiring
85-89

Red 12v+ large Unswitched power need for memory B+
Brown large main frame ground
gry/blue dash light

lf spk
brn/red -
brn/gn +

rf spk
brown -
br/red +

lr spk
brown -
blue +

rr spk
brown -
red +

You will need to get Switched power from Defroster switch black/yellow

Radio2 85-89

Red Large 12V+ unswitched power for memory b+
Brown large frame ground
grey/blue dash light

lf spk
brn -
brn/blu +

rf spk
red +
brn/white -

lr spk
br/r -
blu/green +

rr spk
red/green +
br/black -

You will need to get Switched power from Defroster switch black/yellow

[CalAltaDubber]

Thanks Brian, you saved me from looking it all up

[Citizen Gain]

Hey guys!

Thanks for posting the wiring details, they were a huge help. I got my new wiring harness all hooked up, and the new radio is installed. As a bonus, I was able to fix my saggy dash panel and my sticky heating/cooling controls while I was pokin' around in there.

But... I'm thinking the rear speakers may have been removed or disconnected, because there's still no rear audio. I wonder precisely where they're located? Are the rear speakers supposed to be behind the perforated section of the panels on the walls of the backseat?

Also, do you guys know how to replace the radio antenna?

[kamzcab86]

But... I'm thinking the rear speakers may have been removed or disconnected, because there's still no rear audio. I wonder precisely where they're located? Are the rear speakers supposed to be behind the perforated section of the panels on the walls of the backseat?

The holes (aka perforations) in the rear panels are where the speakers are. They are 3½" speakers. If it still has the original speakers, I wouldn't be surprised if they're blown out. You'll need to remove those side panels in order to access/replace the rear speakers: Pull up the cover of the window crank, remove the screw and pull the handle off. Then, gently and carefully pry the panel off using a long, flat-head screwdriver or, better yet, interior trim removal tools (found cheap at Harbor Freight).

Also, do you guys know how to replace the radio antenna?

You must remove the driver's side wheelhouse liner to gain access to the antenna housing and cable inside the fender to replace the antenna. The antenna cable runs from the fender, through the firewall and into the dash to the head unit.
Since I use a USB device anytime I'm in the car, I determined it was not worth my time and aggravation to replace the broken antenna cable.

[Briano1234]

You must remove the driver's side wheelhouse liner

Never heard it called that before that is a mouth full, I always called it the inner fender plastic shield.

But you will need the cable end that is 90 degrees or you will need to but the adapter end.

[Citizen Gain]

Driver's Side Wheelhouse Liner and Inner Fender Plastic Shield have the same number of syllables.

[CalAltaDubber]

Driver's Side Wheelhouse Liner and Inner Fender Plastic Shield have the same number of syllables.

At least we all know it is the same thing.

[kamzcab86]

You must remove the driver's side wheelhouse liner

Never heard it called that before that is a mouth full...

Class, please open your Bentley Service Manual to page 12-26 and begin reading the second paragraph under the heading Removing Front Body Parts and Grille.