Hello everyone, My Alpine #7904 (1988 328) has decided to no longer eject CDs, consuming one in the process. I have found a company to look it over for me, but having difficulties attempting to remove from the dash. To this point I have: * Removed ducting and vents. The stereo has a small thin black surround trim bezel (picture 1), and from underneath appears to be supported by a silver rectangular shell (picture 2). I cannot see or palpate any other support brackets. I have searched both old and new archives, and feel from the brief descriptions this should be a relatively simple process. Does the radio simply "push out" from inside of dash? Do I need to remove the trim ring (afraid I might mar it)? I do not want to damage anything so figured I would ask first. Thanks for your help, Carl Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Carl, couldn't you just start with dropping the centre console? Probably helps access to the radio ... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Sometimes these radios have little spring-loaded levers on either side of the faceplate that have to be unhooked in order for the radio to slide out.. Try removing the faceplate and looking for this. A very small flat screwdriver will help... Good luck, Greg
Thank Bram & Greg. I think there's probably a simpler method to remove just the stereo though (rather than entire dash)? I'm not sure the faceplate on this unit is removable separately, and I don't see two holes to insert the "U" prong tool. I can't help but think I'm missing something very simple here. Carl
I replaced my Kenwood stereo last year for the same reason. The photo attached show the typical pieces, the 2 long flat metal pieces are called "keys". Most of the newer stereos have 2 keys for removal. I went to Ebay and did a search for Kenwood key and there were some available, I suggest that you do the same for Alpine, or take the car to Best Buy, Car Toys or other car stereo shop, they'll pull it for a minimal fee. You might go to the Alpine website and download a user manual, it should show how to remove it with the keys. Image Unavailable, Please Login
That's the deal.....the newer ones snap into that ring and you have to have those two tools to release it! Check with a local shop.. Once released the whole thing slides out the front thru the outer support collar... HTH
I meant "trim ring", not faceplate. If you remove the trim ring, you may find a lever (per side) that can be pushed to slide the radio out of the outer sleeve.. good luck, Greg
There seem to be two ways to remove the radio from the holder that it slides in to. The whole radio slides free from this more permanently mounted holder. On older units there are a pair of small diameter holes on both sides of the face plate. You might have to remove the trim piece to see them. These accept a U-shaped metal gizmo with little knobs on the ends. Insert one U gizmo in each side to release the radio. The second method is on newer units but is the same principle except it uses the release keys shown on an earlier post. There is a connector between the radio and the fixed holder so the wiring stays in place. The U gizmos or the release keys are available at any large electronics/car stereo store.
Wow, thank everyone for the responses. No evident holes to put the "U"-shaped remover in, I'm thinking either keyways along the sides or as Greg mentioned possibly a lever to flip. Any clever way to remove this trim ring without destroying it? I'm thinking parts for 1980s radios are even rarer than for 1980s Ferraris. Carl PS: Yes, this shall eventually turn into another "How-To" article...
Grind the teeth off a hack saw blade. Slip it into the cage at the side of the radio while supplying some outward tension at that side of the radio. When it 'pops', do the other side and pull it all the way out. The locking tabs are 1 to 3 inches from the front and usually quite easy to 'pop'. You will feel them. The only danger is leaving some teeth to snag...be patient when grinding.
Most radios have a trim piece around the front of the radio that covers up the slots on the sides for the keys to be inserted, to allow removal. You just gently remove the trim piece for access. (snaps-in)
Success! I managed to wiggle a piece of thin brass shim stock between the trim plate and the radio body to work the trim plate free, then there was a locking clip on either side that released just as suggested. Entire radio slides forward, do not have to remove the vents or ducting. Off to the radio shop, I'll post updates. In ther interim, if this old Alpine unit is irreparable, any suggestions as to "period-correct" appearing newer units? [Not concerned about function, I never use the radio anyway but could not have the current one malfunctioning] Best, Carl
Man, glad to hear! I went with a modern Blaupunkt unit, detachable face........at least that looks good when removed..... The new units all look like a jukebox! LOL!
Just wanted to post a resolution here. I sent my Alpine unit (#7904) to Pyramid Audio in Austin, TX ( 305 E Braker Ln, Austin, TX 78753, (512) 458-8292) and in two weeks they were able to sucessfully repair at a reasonable rate. Best, Carl
What's reasonable? I really consider these cd players essentially disposible at today's prices. You can find really nice replacements on Ebay for $100 to 120 or so delivered! They will have much improved specifications, more features, more power, etc. The Blaupunkt changer in my 355 died last summer, and I had to change out both the deck and changer....I bought Kenwood components on Ebay and spent around $270 for both and they sound terrific compared to what I had.
Sure there are replacements available for cheap, however, most of them look like hell and don't 'fit' aesthetically with the 328 interior at all. Not even close. Dunno 'bout Carl, but I'm very particular about the look of the stereo unit in my 328. It's gotta look somewhat 'period' with the car. No chrome, no blue lighting, etc. I spent several months looking for a 'period correct' looking unit. I was even able to find one with a slight orange illumination that matches the 328 gauges perfectly. Looks like it came standard with the car.
...but Carl's one of those NCRS guys, so replacement wasn't exactly an option...(smile) Total was $213 I believe, including a $50 diagnostic fee that applies to final charge if repair performed. Certainly replacement would have made more sense from a financial & reliability standpoint, but honestly I never use the radio anyway (but could not tolerate the idea of it not functioning properly). Best, Carl
How do you do this? Looks like three screws on the passenger side, and two larger one on the underside. I don't have a radio, just the original blanking plate. I'd like to drop my centre console to reapply some adhesive to the underside of the vinyl covering - part of it is coming up.
Not sure wich three screws on pass side you are referring to, I only took out the two on the underside. Piece of cake!
