getting the radio cage out of a 1991 cavalier

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

"lizbubb" wrote in message
.. .

snippety

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...

Never believe the Haynes Book of Lies. I remember the one for my old
Carlton said you had to drain the cooling system and remove the radiator to
get at some part of the engine. Utter ********, you just needed to remove
the fan shroud, which was held with a couple of screws.

Anyway, back to your Cav. Once the radio itself is out, you need to bend
the whole cage inwards at the top, bottom & sides as it doesn't have tabs
like a normal one, but pressed "lumps" to locate it. When I took the one
out of our '92 Cav I had to remove the glovebox and use a large screwdriver
as leverage on the back of the cage, but ISTR that was because a previous
owner had taken it out and bodged it back in, distorting the frame at the
back.

Steve.

Steve Hardwood wrote:
"lizbubb" wrote in message
.. .

snippety

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...

Never believe the Haynes Book of Lies. I remember the one for my old
Carlton said you had to drain the cooling system and remove the
radiator to get at some part of the engine. Utter ********, you just
needed to remove the fan shroud, which was held with a couple of
screws.

Anyway, back to your Cav. Once the radio itself is out, you need to
bend the whole cage inwards at the top, bottom & sides as it doesn't
have tabs like a normal one, but pressed "lumps" to locate it. When
I took the one out of our '92 Cav I had to remove the glovebox and
use a large screwdriver as leverage on the back of the cage, but ISTR
that was because a previous owner had taken it out and bodged it back
in, distorting the frame at the back.

Yep , that sounds the same as the Novas I fitted stereos to.
The wiring harness clips into the back of the cage so you may need to use a
long screwdriver to undo the clips as you won't have enough slack in eth
cable to remove the cage with it attached.
--
Alex
SRX 400

"I laugh in the face of danger"

"Then I hide until it goes away"

www.drzoidberg.co.uk

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....



Thanks for any help

Liz

cheers guys - I thought it must be more doable. I'll get stuck in tomorrow!


Thanks

Liz