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Guide to getting a 2000 dash apart?

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  • #1

    Guide to getting a 2000 dash apart?

    Hi all. Yesterday I tried to take my dash apart. I need to get in behind the radio. I managed to get the panel under the steering wheel, the glove box, and the radio surround out. When I tried to pull the stereo out, it felt like the wires were holding it in; as if theres not enough slack to pull it out all the way without yanking on the wires.

    So, does anyone have a 'how to' guide on getting the dash torn apart? I couldn't figure out how to get the BIG piece off(the one that surrounds the radio and HVAC controlls).

    Thanks!
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  • #2
    Hmmm...I've never had to take apart the dash in an F-body. But...I have taken apart dashes in many cars in side projects that I have done.

    The method I always used was this...

    ~Decide what panel needs to come off.
    ~Follow the plastic so you realize what is the whole plastic piece (sometimes things overlap, center consoles, etc...)
    ~Once you realize where the whole piece goes, start looking for visible bolts, screws, etc... that would hold it in (usually not there by the radio, and isn't there in an f-body for sure)
    ~Take a flat head screwdriver, and gently stick it in to a crevass and try and START to pry it out...I only say start because you don't want to overdo anything or risk breaking anything.
    ~With minimal effort, it should start to come out. Take the screwdriver, and start doing this aroud the whole perimeter of the plastic piece so it all pops out at once.

    Just remember that is has to come out....if you don't see anything holding it in, then it's clips that aren't visible.
    black 95 t/a, a4, beefed up tranny w/ higher stall converter, transgo shift kit, trans temp gauge, trans cooler, richmond 3.73's, loudmouth, hypertech programmer, 160 thermo, descreened maf, TB bypass and airfoil, trick flow intake elbow, underdrive pulleys, moroso cai, edelbrock panhard rod, bmr stb, slp sfc's, fiberglass firehawk hood, hawk pads, taylor wires, ngk plugs, royal purple fluids,...and hopefully more to come

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    • #3
      Originally posted by lexington01
      Hi all. Yesterday I tried to take my dash apart. I need to get in behind the radio. I managed to get the panel under the steering wheel, the glove box, and the radio surround out. When I tried to pull the stereo out, it felt like the wires were holding it in; as if theres not enough slack to pull it out all the way without yanking on the wires.

      So, does anyone have a 'how to' guide on getting the dash torn apart? I couldn't figure out how to get the BIG piece off(the one that surrounds the radio and HVAC controlls).

      Thanks!
      The BIG piece that you are refering to is the entire dash. Saying that it is a PITA to remove and install is an understatement. I've had out my engine and my dash and I would pull the engine ten times before doing the dash again but that is just my opinion some people don't mind interior work as much. Why do you want to remove the entire dash? Are you just replacing your radio? The wires do hold the radio in you'll need to pull it out enough that you can unplug it in the back.
      1994 Firebird Formula, M6, Fan switch, 160 thermostat, Pacesetter LT headers, Morosso CAI, TB bypass, True duals.

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      • #4
        Yes, I'm trying to get back in behind the radio for another project.

        I'm afraid if I pull on the radio much more the connectors will pop off and I'll never get them back on since it doesn't feel like there's enough slack. Are you sure there is enough slack?

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        • #5
          The bezel can be removed by gently prying it out. Then the radio is held in place by two small screws. But the question is, why are you removing all of the other pieces of the dash just to get the radio out? Once you get the radio out, you will be able to get to the DRL module easily.

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          • #6
            He's trying to control the automatic antenna. I already told him how to do it from the rear of the car where you have to run one wire up front from the antenna ground which takes all of 15 minutes, but he thinks his way is easier.

            Yeah, it's much better to listen to some other guy who never did the mod and bust up your dash and cut into your radio wiring than listen to an electrical engineer who has actually done it.

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            • #7
              Hmmm.....I don't understand why I'm getting so much heat here about my questions. When I posted earlier that I had factory automatic headlights I got jumped on with people saying that it's aftermarket or I have a short in the switch. Even after I clarified that I have a Canadian car (and it says I have auto headlights RIGHT IN THE OWNERS MANUAL) people still didn't believe me.

              So yes, I'm trying to get to the headlight sensor which is in the dash up where the red security light blinks next to the windshield defrost port. I couldn't get to it by taking the stereo out since it didn't feel like the wires had enough slack to allow me to pull the stereo out and unplug and still be able to plug it back in. So I thought I'd try removing the dash piece.

              Kevin: I do appreciate your advice on the antenna but I thought I’d get to the wire from behind the radio so I can tackle both projects at once (if possible). Plus then I wouldn't have to run a wire all the way from the back of the car.

              So, I guess I’ll try pulling out the radio again. Thanks.

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              • #8
                Originally posted by lexington01
                Hmmm.....I don't understand why I'm getting so much heat here about my questions. When I posted earlier that I had factory automatic headlights I got jumped on with people saying that it's aftermarket or I have a short in the switch. Even after I clarified that I have a Canadian car (and it says I have auto headlights RIGHT IN THE OWNERS MANUAL) people still didn't believe me.

                So yes, I'm trying to get to the headlight sensor which is in the dash up where the red security light blinks next to the windshield defrost port. I couldn't get to it by taking the stereo out since it didn't feel like the wires had enough slack to allow me to pull the stereo out and unplug and still be able to plug it back in. So I thought I'd try removing the dash piece.

                Kevin: I do appreciate your advice on the antenna but I thought I’d get to the wire from behind the radio so I can tackle both projects at once (if possible). Plus then I wouldn't have to run a wire all the way from the back of the car.

                So, I guess I’ll try pulling out the radio again. Thanks.
                Sorry for the snotty reply earlier. The Helms manual says to unsnap the sensor holder (grille) off the dash and then twist it counterclockwise to release it from it's connector. That's all there is to it. They show the DRL module itself way off to the left under the dash hanging off the AC duct probably by the driver's left knee. This is for a '95, though, and yours may be different.

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                • #9
                  Thanks for the reply Kevin. I still can't get the radio out. Maybe the wires are caught on something back there. I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by lexington01
                    Thanks for the reply Kevin. I still can't get the radio out. Maybe the wires are caught on something back there. I'm not sure what I'm going to do.
                    If you pull out your heater control assembly you may be able to get the wires in the back of the radio. I'm not sure why they're giving you such a problem. I hate to tell you to force it out but it shouldn't take to much to get it out. Maybe a little wiggling would help? lol
                    1994 Firebird Formula, M6, Fan switch, 160 thermostat, Pacesetter LT headers, Morosso CAI, TB bypass, True duals.

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