Cannot get the radio out

Most radios require special tools to retract the locking mechanism. There is a wide variety of tools available to cater for different makes of radio. With a few exceptions a certain amount of experience is needed to recognise which tool is needed and how to manipulate them to avoid possible expensive damage.

Your local car audio store will provide information and sell you the tools you need or do the job for you.

you need the radio removal u shaped tools. you can buy for $5 at uto store.

SECTION 415-01: Audio Unit 2002 Escape Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Audio Unit
Special Tool(s) Radio Removing Tool
415-001 (T87P-19061-A)
Removal and Installation

1. Disconnect the battery cables. For additional information, refer to Section 414-01 .

1. Remove the audio unit.
   1. Insert the special tool into the radio face plate and release the radio retaining clips.
   1. Pull outward on the special tool and remove the audio unit from the instrument panel.

1. Disconnect the connectors.

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

SECTION 412-04: Control Components 1998 Contour/Mystique Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Procedure revision date: 09/14/2001 Climate Control Assembly Removal

1. Remove the radio chassis. For additional information, refer to Section 415-01.

Audio Unit
Special Tool(s) Remover, Radio
415-001 (T87P-19061-A)
Removal

1. NOTE: Make sure the audio unit key code is available before disconnecting the audio unit electrical connectors and note the audio unit station presets.
   Using the special tool, detach the audio unit.
   • Insert the Radio removal tool into the locating holes until they click into place.
   1. Pull the tools gently to the left and right of the audio unit to release the locking tangs.
   1. Pull the audio unit out of the instrument panel.

1. Remove the audio unit.
   1. Disconnect the power electrical connector.
   1. Disconnect the audioline/speaker electrical connector.
   1. Disconnect the antenna cable.

Installation

1. NOTE: When installing the audio unit make sure the rear support engages on the carrier.
   To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   • Enter the audio unit keycode and re-program the pre-set audio unit stations

1. Remove the floor console. For additional information, refer to Section 501-12.

Floor Console - Vehicles with Automatic Transaxle Removal

1. WARNING: Wait at least one minute after disconnecting the battery cables before removing the floor console. Failure to follow this instruction may increase the possibility of accidentally deploying the air bag(s) and may cause personal injury.
   Disconnect the battery ground cable.
   • Wait one minute.

1. NOTE: Contour shown, SVT similar.
   Remove the rear floor console screws.
   • Move seat fully forward.

1. Fully apply the parking brake.

1. Detach the shift indicator selector bezel.

1. Detach the shift bezel from the selector housing.
   1. Remove three bolts.
   1. Detach shift bezel from the console.

1. NOTE: The rear floor console must be raised to disengage the front retaining clips.
   Raise and remove the rear floor console.

1. Remove the four front floor console retaining screws.

1. Detach the front floor console.
   1. Set the gearshift lever into position 1.
      Partially remove the front floor console.

1. Disconnect the cigar lighter electrical connections and remove the front center console.

1. Remove the control opening finish panel.
   1. Remove the four screws.
   1. Disconnect the headlamp dimmer switch electrical connector.
   1. Remove the panel.

1. Remove the climate control assembly screws.

1. Remove the climate control assembly.
   • Disconnect the electrical connectors
   • Disconnect the vacuum harness connector.

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You will find 4 little horizontal slots at the top and bottom of the radio. There are special tools that slide into these slots (part # T10057) that you slide into those slots to engage the release mechanism. You then pull straight out on the rings of the tools. Do not twist or tilt the tools while pulling it out. Once out you release the tools by pressing the locking tabs near the point where each tool was inserted. Reinstall by sliding the unit back in with out the tools engaged until it snaps in.

Removing the radio is quite an undertaking. I had the exact unit and you had to remove the dash to get to the radio. It takes an expert mechanic about four to six hours to remove the dash install the radio and replace the dash. Good Luck!!!

locate the 4 holes in the panel,2 on each side,1 3/8 inches apart.using two stiff wires bent in a 'U' shape,or an in expensive ''OEM RADIO REMOVAL TOOL'' [recommended] push tool in holes about an inch to release internal clips,appply outward pressure and pull unit out towards you.to replace slide unit back in untill it 'clicks in place.

the mode selector is actuated by Bowden cables. When you turn the selector switch, the cable winds on a spool and that rotates the mode door. the cable may have come off either end. You need a U shaped set of radio puller tools that go in the 4 holes in the front of the radio. Then you slide the Us to the outside to compress the clips and allow to pull the radio out. Then there are 4 screws to remove to remove the finish bezel. Then 3 screws hold on the climate control head.

With the radio out, you can rotate the selector knob and see what it is doing. If you remove a cable, rotate it counterclockwise fully before disconnecting it.

You can buy a whole head for $10 used at car-part.com. look on page with * for lowest cost part. You can use 2000-07 contol head.

Please rate, thanks
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Air distribution operating cables
The air distribution switch operates with two Bowden cables. The cables operate the air distribution valves in the heater housing.
To remove and install the cables, the rotary switch must be turned as far as it will go to the left. The air flap mechanism engages easily in this position, making the installation of the cables easier.
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1. Remove the radio/cassette unit and the CD player (if equipped). For additional information, refer to Section 415-01 .
2. Using a common radio remover, detach the audio unit.
3. Insert the common radio remover into the locating holes. Pull the tools gently to the outside of the audio unit to release the locking tangs.

1. Slide the audio unit out of the instrument panel.
2. Remove the bezel with heater/air conditioning controls.
3. Remove the bezel with heater/air conditioning controls (continued).
   • Pull off seven electrical connectors (six shown).
4. NOTE: To remove the Bowden cables, turn the rotary switches as far as they will go to the left.
   Remove the bezel with heater/air conditioning controls (continued).
   • Unclip the Bowden cables.
5. Remove the lower driver's side footwell trim.
6. Unclip and remove the air distribution Bowden cables.
7. Unclip and remove the temperature control Bowden cables.
   • Unclip and remove the temperature control Bowden cables.

Installation

1. NOTE: Route the new Bowden cables without kinks and check for easy accessibility.
   NOTE: To install the Bowden cables, turn the rotary switches as far as they will go to the left. The mechanism engages easily in this position.
   NOTE: The Bowden cables are identical for RHD and LHD vehicles, although they are fastened to the air flap operating mechanism with the reverse side of their connectors.
   Install the components in reverse order.

1. Check operation of the Bowden cables
   

Removal
Vehicles with high output amplifier and subwoofer

1. Using a common radio remover, detach the audio unit.
   1. Insert the common radio remover into the locating holes. Pull the tools gently to the left and right of the audio unit to release the locking tangs.
   1. Slide the audio unit out of the instrument panel.

1. Remove the audio unit.
   • Disconnect the audio unit electrical connectors.

All except vehicles with high output amplifier and subwoofer

1. Using the special tools, detach the audio unit.
   1. Insert the special tools into the locating holes. Pull the tools gently to the left and right of the audio unit to release the locking tangs.
   1. Slide the audio unit out of the instrument panel.

1. Remove the audio unit.
   • Disconnect the audio unit electrical connectors.

please rate, thanks

I had same problem with a 2005 Envoy in Jan '09. I took it to the ex-GM dealer. He said he'd try. The unit would only play using radio.
Mechanic took unit out of dash, and top off of unit. Ejected CD bu moving the eject mechanism. Replaced top and unit.
Works and plays cds. Cost $25.00 And i tipped the mechanic $10.00 for his knowledge.

The clicking noise is the door blend actuator. It is located in the dash panel behind the radio. It is about the size of a pack of cigarettes.

I priced this job at a dealer and it came in for around $300!

This is a really simple repair, a great choice for the do-it-yourselfer.
Here are the steps/procedures for doing this repair yourself in about 30 minutes:

• Tools to do the job:
  
  • Ford radio removal tools
    
  • 5/16 nut-driver
    
  • Flashlight
    
  • Small hands or band-aids
    
    

• Remove the radio -
  
  
  • Insert the U-shaped 'handles' into the vertical pair of holes on each side of the front of the radio until you feel it hit an indent / click .
    
    
  • With both tools inserted, push outward on the top of the tools while pulling the radio out & away from the dash.
    
    
  • Disconnect the 2 wire harness connectors & the antenna.

• (Optional) Remove A/C & Radio control dash panel

• Removing the A/C & Radio control dash panel gives you additional access to the actuator to help with removal and installation. This is not a difficult option.

• Loosen and remove two screws revealed just above radio when radio was removed.
  

• Loosen and remove two screws inside (one on each side) the drink holder & ash tray drawer.

• Gently pull the loosened section of the dash panel forward.

• Do not remove connectors for A/C control panel. You'll need the A/C control panel active to align the driver post of the actuator with the blend door drive hole.

• You might want a helper to hold the panel off to the right while you work.
  

• Reassembly is exactly reverse.

• Remove / replace the blend door actuator -
  
  
  • Looking in through the radio opening, locate the actuator module - a white plastic unit about the size of a pack of cigarettes.
    
    
  • Use the nut-driver to remove the three 5/16ths mounting screws.
    
    
  • Disconnect the wiring harness located on the side
    
    
  • Reverse steps to re-install
    
  • In order to line up the shaft I had to crank the car and move the temp selector. Note: You do not have to turn on the A/C system for the temp selector to control the actuator, but you must have the actuator control cable re-connected.

• Reassemble the dash panel.

• Reinstall the radio (watch that no cables bind during the reinstallation.

• What the actuator is / does:

• Inside this unit is a circuit board, motor and small plastic round gears. The gears then rotate the actuator, which in turn opens and closes the damper allowing the air to pass through the heater core.

• What happens is some of the little teeth break off creating a gap on the gear wheel. This gap prevents the gears from driving the actuator shaft.
  

• The unit may be known as a heater damper module by the dealer. Should cost around $60-$75. (One reader acquired the actuator for $34 from O'Reilly.)
  

• This unit was purchased from Advanced Auto for $ 45 and the flat rate is .4 hours. I did mine in around thirty minutes with the hardest part being getting the radio out ( it seemed stuck ).