Hey everyone, i'm new to the forums, but i've been looking around a bit, and i've searched for my problem but to no avail...

First off, i drive a white 02 protege 5 hatch (incase my name didn't give it away... ) and i've recently decided to do some basic interior painting (white, to match the outside, hopefully augmented by some red calipers rather soon ), but getting the deck out has proved rather problematic. I read the sticky thread about dash dis-assembly many times over, and searched the forums, but nobody else seems to have this problem.

I've popped the side trim pieces off of the deck, and i see 3 holes on each side. 2 of the holes are circular and very tiny, and one of the holes is a little taller, sort of in an oval shape. I know that when you take an aftermarket deck out, you have to use these 2 small "keys", so i got a hold of a set of those, put them in the oval holes properly, but instead of popping the deck out, it cut the power to the deck, and all the interior lights! I've also tried the coat-hanger trick (in place of the din tools), i put coat hangers in the 4 small circular holes (and they were in properly, it took quite a bit of pulling to get them out), but the deck won't budge, and now i fear that i've fucked over the electronics some how!

Help! I still can't figure out how to remove the deck, and none of my interior lights will work!

 

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Because the stereo is double-din, you actually need two sets of din tools (4 total), two for each side. The tools push in the retainers on the sides, and if you don't have all of them pushed in it is a real bitch to get the stereo out. The tools share the center or oval hole on each side, and the other ends go in the top and bottom holes. Once you get all four tools inserted, pull outward slightly from the center of the stereo, and it should slide out.

I don't know about the electrical problem you are having though, but maybe there is a wire being pinched in the dash near the stereo. If that's the case you should be able to tell once the thing is out.

 

alright, i think i've got it all figured out, the interior lights and deck are on the same fuse, so i have a feeling i just blew it...

 

Follow Luzer's instructions and you should be good. The only thing that might be problematic is if someone else had tried to get the deck out previously without the right keys and bent the locking mecanism to s**t. I used to run a Car Audio Install bay and this was always a problem with Mazdas and Fords. People would jam coat hangers and other stuff in and end up bending the deck mounting brackets out so when the right keys were put in the deck still wouldn't come out. You might have to do some fishing to get the keys into the brackets. Here's some pics of the deck out so you know what you're dealing with...





See the side brackets and how they need to be bent in towards the deck? That's why after you put the keys in you have to bend them slightly outwards to make the ends of the keys push in towards the deck. Hope this helps.

 

hahahaha that would have helped so much, but i already called in the help of a guy off the local car club forums. so now the painting has begun. took out the cupholder piece, the trim around the deck, and the 2 panels which the window and power mirror controls lie on, sanded and primed them, now they get the gloss white paint and clearcoat finish.

 

post the pictures!!!!

 

haha pictures of i twhen it's done? i can do that, i didn't get a chance to throw on the clearcoat yet, so i'll take some when that's done.

 

you could also take some now to see the before, during and the after...

 

Second that. I'd like to see it when you're done as well!