mazdaRXstyle

Couldn't find this anywhere else, any sites or help I can get on how to take off the stock stereo on an FC?? 89 GXL to be exact, let me know... thanks

JKM

I'm sure you can find detailed instructions, but here's the quick version: (I'm doing this from memory, there might be an error here)

First, BE CAREFUL. The stereo surround is expensive if you need to replace it if you break it.

First, remove your ashtray. Lifts right out. There will be two screws. Get rid of them.

You will probably need to pull back the plastic that surrounds the shifter. You don't have to remove it, but use a flathead screwdriver to push it back a bit. It should pop right off. It will pop right back in when you put it back together.

Take your vents out. The easiest way I've found is to insert a small flathead screwdriver on the edge and pry it out. BE CAREFUL HERE, the scredriver can scratch something.

There will be more screws there, remove them.

Now pull on the large surround piece, you'll have to wiggle it a bit, but it should come off without too much effort. If I remember correctly, you can't actually completely remove it unless you remove the cigarrette lighter too, I think when I did it I just pulled the lighter assembly out and layed it in the passenger side without disconnecting the lighter.

At this point, the stereo will be exposed, undo a few more screws, unplug the antenna and the wiring harness from the back of the stereo, and that's it.

I'll see if I can't find a better writeup with pictures, it's been a while since i did i so it may not be 100% like I said.

mazdaRXstyle

Thank you so much VERY helpful

JKM

I haven't really found a better writeup other that what I posted. Good luck on whatever you're doing, just ask away if you run into any snags...

krazykoncepts

ya its not to hard.....that writeup should get you through it

mazdaRXstyle

So I do have one more question about the surround sound, is it run by the equalizer thats just under the tape deck? I want to take it all out if that possible. Thanks again for the help.

JKM

The whole thing comes out, stereo equalizer, everything. It's actually more of a pain to seperate them...

The surround isn't run by the equalizer. When you install a new stereo, the stereo will still work with both front (dash) and rear speakers with no problems. If your car has door speakers... I'm not sure but I think that the door speakers run in parallel with the dash speakers, so they should still work. The door speakrs in my car NEVER worked, so I'm not 100% sure on this, I have my door speakers wired directly to my amp now.

Also, if you are installing aftermarket stereo, do yourself a favor and get a wiring adapter kit from www.crutchfield.com It makes everything SO much easier since you don't have to figure out which color wire on the 7 goes to which color on the new harness. You can also put the factory stereo back in if you want to sell the car and keep your system. If you have a power antenna, pick up a relay for it there while you are at it.

mazdaRXstyle

Thanks again, very helpful. I was thinking about doing all the wiring and I do have time but not sure If I want a harness or not yet. Also my door speakers I just switched out for my 6.5 pioneers but they seem to only produce bass odly enough. Nothing but base comes out of the door speakers. The music (treble) comes from the dash and the rear speakers. Is this messed up or normal? That's the last thing I need to know. Going to attempt this tomorrow morning thanks again for your help. Soon enough I'll get some bumps in there.

mazdaRXstyle

sorry to bother you again, but question one

1. How did you bracket your new cd player in?

2. Do you have or know where I can find a wiring diagram to know which wire is for what, im wiring them directly to deck without harness (hard but I'm impatient)


Thanks again in advance.

mazdaRXstyle

I've seen a few wiring diagrams but can't really understand them. I have a couple more questions, first being does each speaker have it's own amp? If so should I just take them out and just directly wire the speakers to the deck with new wiring? and if thats the case how long/hard is that? do I have to remove whole dash? Also will low-end decks power six speakers? thanks in advance I know its a lot of questions.

mazdaRXstyle

I also don't seem to have the stock amps, if I do I have no idea where they are. 89 GXL by the way. This is getting frustrating, if I have the battery cord and the accessory cord and the deck grounded shouldnt the deck at least come on? or do all speakers need to be hooked up?

mazdaRXstyle

it seems the amp locations vary and I can't find them anywhere I have an 89 GXL and I opened up the rear speakers and don't see an amp in the shock area, are tehy under the carpet? Is the front one in front of the front speaker? Any more help would be awesome, I just want some music

mazdaRXstyle

sorry I'll quit posting but I just wanted to let everyone know that I Just went to a local audio shop and they said that I dont have any amps it's all directly powered so thats good news 45 bucks to get my deck wired to the wires since I have no harness... I screwed up and never should have cut the harness's off and just shouldve bought a harness that way I could have done it myself and for abotu 15 bucks. maybe I still can I dunno it's nice to just have someone else do it for you. I still should be able to directly wire it up but o well im sick of trying. The amp thing had me trying to find them and how to bypass them for 4 hours and I didn't even have them

JKM

Heh, glad that you could get everything to work. Sorry I haven't been here to answer any of your questions, I broke my laptop. Oops. Happy rocking in the 7.