My wife purchased a GROM audio MP3 player adapter for my '05 RL this Christmas. I need to remove the radio to get the GROM unit installed. I've searched and searched, but can't seem to find a good step by step description of how to remove the various interior pieces to gain access to the screws for the radio. Can anybody help me out? I don't want to screw up anything in the process.

Thanks!

 

It's not easy.

First, you need to remove the big plastic trim piece that surrounds the shifter. Pull up from the rear of it near the cupholders in the center console. You'll need to disconnect the seat warmer switches from underneath. Then set the trim piece aside.

Next, you need to remove the "not an ashtray".

Next, you remove the "metal" pillars on either side of the center stack. They are just plastic painted to look shiny. Pull from the bottom and pull straight back toward you.

Then remove all the screws that were exposed when you took the two pillars out.

Now comes the tough part - shine a flashlight down into the hole where the "not an ashtray " was. There are two screws low and deep below the center stack that need to be removed in order to pull it out. Don't drop them.

After this, you should be able to pull the entire center stack out - it's one unit. Disconnect the climate control cables at the top rear of the unit so you can pull it out far enough. Depending onthe type of adapter you bought, you may lose XM functionality unless the MP3 adapter has a pass-through cable. Then reverse everything to reinstall.

I did this on my old 05 RL to install a USA Spec aux adapter. Take your time and be patient. Try not to damage or scratch the little wood trim piece under the front lip of the center stack above the fake ashtray. It can't be replaced individually. Good luck.

 

You can do it that way but the way I did it was much easier.
1) Put the shifter in neutral and put the ebrake on. Then pull shifter panel up. At each corner, you can pull up..just be gentle but firm.
2) Next, leave the shifter panel connected but pull it out alittle bit so you can access the bottom of the two trims to the sides of the radio.
3) Starting from the bottom of the silver trim, pull it straight out. It may not budge but just be firm and pull it out one at a time. There are 3 pins behind the trim that locks in place. Same goes for the other side. You should be able to slide the trims out and revealing the 4 screws and 2 black screws on top of the "not an ashtray".
4) Remove the 4 screws that mounts the radio and the 2 black screws. Shift the "not an ashtray" setup down so you can pull out the radio. Remove all the connectors behind it. There are about 5 or 6.

I got a pic of the screws that I'll post later when I get out of work.

 

The real challenge is removing the two 8mm (could be 9mm) bolts that hold the bottom of the radio bracket. These have to be removed to in order to get the radio assembly out. When you drop them (not-if you drop them), make certain to have a magnetic pick-up tool and flashlight handy!

 

Very true! I forgot to add that part because it was removed at one point before and they never put it back =/ No difference really so oh well

 

Thanks for the replies, everyone. Hopefully I'll be able to report back with success in a few hours!

 

Well, that was a lot of fun. It's installed and working now. However, I do have a little problem. I can still hear the XM broadcast if I turn the radio volume up really high. I can pretty much eliminate this by turning my MP3 player volume all the way up and then the radio volume doesn't have to be so high. Any ideas on how to eliminate this issue altogether?

 

Thanks dwboston and Sniffles for the very well-detailed instructions! Im new to this forum and I got here as a visitor when I googled how to remove the stereo from my 05 rl so I could also replace the climate control bulbs. I was really having trouble removing the last two bolts from underneath the stereo. Thanks to you guys I saved being ripped off by the dealer :thief:.

 

Thanks to the DIY I got to the bulbs pretty quickly. As previously noted, the only hard part was getting the bottom bolts (definitely 8mm) out in the slot provided behind the not an ashtray.

Trouble now is I am using the OEM replacements, pn 80629-s604-003, and I can't get them to turn enough to actually lock in place. The old bulbs were securely locked and the line on the back of the gray sleeve was in line with the "lock" on the board. I did remove the yellow cover from each bulb (missed this at first and wondered why the replacements were a different color!), but no matter how hard I turn each bulb I can't get them to lock in place. Last thing I want is for one of these to loosen and not light up!!!

Any hints here much appreciated!!

Acurod
2005 RL

 

to connect an ipod type device do we really need to pull the radio? I thought i could just connect to the nav unit in the trunk? I dont care about losing XM as I'd be replacing it with pandora or music from my iPhone. I also am having thoughts of replacing the burned bulbs so its important for me to make a decision on back of radio plug or in the trunk plug. Thoughts?

 

depends on what device you get. some are plugged in at the radio others are in the trunk.

 

Perhaps this will help as well - as it includes steps to remove the radio.

www.socal28.com/rl/RL_06_MusicLinkInstall.pdf

(copy and paste link and a pdf document will materialize)

credit to socal28 for useful docs

 

He's a member here. He has the full wood interior including the MMC console trim and cup holder.

 

will this gain access to the bulbs to? mine are burned out and need replaced