How to Remove the Car Stereo From a '98 Accord

The Honda Accord hit the market in the 1976 model year, as a complement to the automakers existing compact Civic. The 1998 model year brought about the introduction of the Accords sixth generation. This generation featured harder body lines and a much sleeker design than the previous generation. The 1998 Accord came in five trim levels: DX, LX, EX, LX V-6 and EX V-6. The DX, LX and LX V-6 trim levels came standard with an AM-FM stereo with a cassette player, and the EX and EX V-6 came standard with an AM-FM stereo with a CD player. Removing the radio from the 1998 Accord requires repositioning the center console.

Instructions

Removal

1

Insert the key into the Accords ignition and turn it to the Run position. Engage the parking brake and shift the gear shifter to the 1 position, if fitted with an automatic transmission. Turn the ignition back to the Off position.

2

Open the center console storage lid and find the plastic access panel on the bottom of the storage box. Pry the access panel out with a flat-head screwdriver to expose two screws below it. Remove these two screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

3

Lift the cup holder door up to open it. Gain a firm grip on the cup holder lid and pull upward to remove it from the center console, exposing three screws below it. Remove these three screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

4

Press the sides on the front-most part of the center console -- just behind the gear shifter -- inward to disengage the retaining tabs, and pull the center console rearward about 3 inches, exposing two screws just behind the gear shifter.

5

Remove the two screws behind the gear shifter with a Phillips screwdriver.

6

Grab the ashtray assembly and pull it from the dashboard, exposing one screw behind it. Remove this screw with a Phillips screwdriver.

7

Lift the rearmost part of the gear shifter and radio bezel -- the plastic trim surrounding the gear shifter and radio -- and lift it upward. Pull the bezel rearward to disengage its retaining clips. Lift the bezel over the gear shifter and position the bezel aside; there is no need to unplug the wiring harnesses, as there is enough slack to move the bezel without disconnecting them.

8

Find the two screws securing the pocket under the radio to the metal mounting bracket. Remove these two screws with a Phillips screwdriver and slide the radio and pocket from the dashboard until you can access the wiring on the rear of the radio.

9

Press and hold the unlocking button on the radios wiring harness and pull the harness from the rear of the radio. Pull the antenna wire from the rear of the radio and remove the radio and storage pocket as one assembly.

Installation

10

Plug the wiring harness into the receptacles on the rear of the radio, then plug the antenna wire into its receptacle on the rear of the radio.

11

Slide the radio into the dashboard cavity and tighten the two screws under the storage pocket with a Phillips screwdriver.

12

Reposition the gear shifter and radio bezel back in place over the gear shifter and line up the retaining clips on the bezel with the slots in the dashboard. Press the bezel toward the dashboard to engage the retaining clips.

13

Tighten the three bezel-retaining screws -- one in the ashtray cavity and two behind the gear shifter -- with a Phillips screwdriver. Reinsert the ashtray assembly back into its cavity.

14

Line up the retaining tabs on the front of the center console with the slots behind the gear shifter. Slide the center console forward to engage the retaining tabs.

15

Secure the three screws in the cup holder cavity with a Phillips screwdriver and set the cup holder back in its cavity. Tighten the two screws in the center console storage area press the access panel back into place inside the center console storage.

16

Shift the gear shifter back into the Park position.