On Fri, 18 Jul 2003 00:20:36 -0700, "lizbubb"
wrote:

If anyone's familiar with the older Vauxhall Cavalier I'd appreciate some
advice...

The factory-fitted radio cage is enclosed at the back, with the ISO
connectors set right into it. Looks like the connectors are separate and
pushed through slots rather than part of the cage itself (I hope).

When I replaced the radio with a cd player I found one that matched up (a
Blaupunkt + aerial adapter). But now I want to use the aux input for an mp3
player and the cage fits so tightly that there's no room to run the cable
out! So that cage has now got in the way twice, plus the CD player gets far
too hot because there's no airflow around it, plus the aerial adapter pushed
the connector back a bit so doesn't quite reach the back of the radio
anymore. The cage has to go.

The Haynes manual reckons to get the ISO connectors out of the cage and the
cage out of the car you need to take off the steering column covers, the
upper and lower instrument panel trims and the heater panel - is there a
shortcut? I could get the cage out with a screwdriver and brute force but I
don't want to knacker the connectors....

Istr you are right - the female ISO block is clipped into the back of the
cage. Likewise the aerial lead is plugged into a right-angle connector
which in turn connects to the head unit when inserted.

I certainly didn't take the dash apart to replace the radio in mine. (I
took it apart to replace a heater bulb and to route the wiring for a remote
for the radio, but that's another story...) There is just about enough
slack in the harness and the aerial lead to work from the front. You
shouldn't need brute force either, just bend the lugs back through and the
cage will slide out.

--
John