DIY: radio removal - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

DIY: radio removal

Published by 12Esc
12-16-2005

DIY: radio removal

Hi,

to remove the radio (non-idrive), follow these instructions.

To take out the radio, you will have to remove the element with the heater and a/c controls in it first. This is fastened with two clips on the sides:
1. take an old creditcard (or something similar) and bend one (short) side of it in a 90 degrees angle.
2. insert the card between the radio and the a/c-controls, bend side first.
3. move the card to the upper/side of the a/c-controls and pull it, making sure its bend side hooks behind the controls.
4. the a/c control unit should move forward a bit. Repeat step 3 for both left and right side.
5. you should now be able to pull the a/c controls forward.
Then you can remove the radio:
use a screwdriver to remove the two screws beneath the radio and pull the radio forward.

Some pictures to clarify the way the A/c controles are snapped in:

left side:

Right side:

Bottom of a/c control panel:

Panel removed:

Back side of panel:

Where the panel came from (screws of radio are visible):

Back side of the radio:

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By StewtheBassman on 12-16-2005, 11:56 AM

What will you do with that hole in your Dash, 12Esc?

By Tierfreund on 12-16-2005, 12:11 PM

Excellent writeup and very helpfull pictures for a question that is asked very often.
I wish I´d had the info in July when I first tried to take my radio out. Would have saved me a LOT of sweat.

Thanks 12esc

By 12Esc on 12-24-2005, 05:02 AM

I put back the radio in the hole. I needed to open it to mount a parrot bluetooth carkit. I'll post a picture.

By Jason on 12-24-2005, 09:47 AM

Great DIY writeup, thanks for sharing! I've added this to the DIY list - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1721

By DJRobbGordon on 01-04-2006, 02:25 PM

Can you elobrate how the "parrot" integrates into the audio system?

By cotton on 01-16-2006, 09:09 AM

mute on e90 ?

Hi , 12esc

I saw the the pictures from you ,how to take out the radio from my car E90 it is very helpfull thanks for it but like i can see you mounted a bluetooth carkit in it ,thats exactly what i want to do so i'm wondering is there a mute on the radio? and where can i find the ingnition power ( +15 )?.

Thanks

cotton

By m'tamski on 12-14-2006, 10:19 AM

Do you guys know what the consequences are when you leave to radio unplugged?

I quote a Japanese site translated by google: "Genuine audio relocates, corresponds to the update of the engine program
Original genuine to reset, to the specification of audio also it is possible.
It is linked to [ribasugia], alarm (the chime) sounds..."

Does it sound important?

By txusa03 on 12-14-2006, 10:27 AM

thanks for sharing the diy with pics. But I am still lost on your description on how to use a credit card to get the control unit out. Do you have the credit card and could you snap a few picks of your credit card to give me a better pictures on how you use it? Thanks.

By Rufio on 03-03-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12Esc

3. move the card to the upper/side of the a/c-controls and pull it, making sure its bend side hooks behind the controls.
4. the a/c control unit should move forward a bit. Repeat step 3 for both left and right side.

I've tried to do it according to this intstruction, and it doesn,t work (I've got auto A/C).
My AC was very solid mounted. Solution:
1. Take an old credit card and make a gap between radio and A/C. You must see the metal hooks on the side.
2. Take a small screwdriver and press the metal through the gap.
3. When you press the hook it will realese the A/C controls

I've unplugged my radio and I've lost only the time and radio stations.

#10

By BoostedBMW on 03-03-2007, 12:49 PM

Nice write-up!

#11

By E92Vancouver on 01-22-2008, 03:14 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 12Esc

Right side:

Bottom of a/c control panel:

Panel removed:

Back side of panel:

Where the panel came from (screws of radio are visible):

Back side of the radio:

Thanks!!!!!

#12

By pinman on 01-25-2008, 05:32 PM

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Has anyone done this on a car with iDrive???..

Gazza

#13

By Gig103 on 01-25-2008, 06:00 PM

Gazza - Check out the DIY for "TVandNAV2go"

#14

By E92Vancouver on 02-09-2008, 05:04 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

Great DIY writeup, thanks for sharing! I've added this to the DIY list - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1721

Why is you DIY list post closed?

#15

By maison09 on 04-23-2009, 10:24 PM

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Wow! That's a beautiful car. Do you sell it?

maison de credit

#16

By sunnydonc on 07-29-2009, 03:35 PM

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remove headunit e92

hi
can someone help, how can i remove the headunit on a e92. ive been trying for hours.

please help.

#17

By kurtdaniel on 10-28-2009, 05:13 AM

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very helpful diy..tnx…i needed it..hope I can find a diy for installing a new kool vue mirror in this forum because ive lost the manual for my newly bought mirrors..

Last edited by kurtdaniel; 11-03-2009 at 08:46 PM.

#18

By oneflyryd on 10-28-2009, 08:47 AM

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I would like to see some pics of the parrot install as well..

#19

By davejon on 12-04-2009, 11:40 PM

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I never think to remove the radio but the guide is good to use.I think to remove heater and AC controls,one should be cautious.

#20

By loudboxer on 12-05-2009, 08:53 PM

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I need some help with this... Tried a bent credit card mentioned above, tried plastic prying card, tried a custom-bent metal bracket. None have even budged the A/C unit. Tried prising out across the top, tried getting a grip from the sides near where the clips are shown in the photos above. Only thing that seems to want to come out is the plastic face panel (it seems to be permanently detached at a couple places now).

What is the technique for getting this (enter a year's worth of swear words here) thing out of the dashboard? I'm working under the assumption that the clips and the slot they're in is at an angle slightly downward, and that the panel should tip out from the top first.

#21

By vladster on 12-06-2009, 04:45 AM

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This is how I did.

You will find on top of the AC contorl two gaps if you slitghtly push the plastic cover outwards. Insert a screwdriver inside them and press down an pull out at the same time each at a time. It should come out with a bit of force.