Routing Microphone cable from headliner to the radio well

[sammy.se]

Hi,

I'm installing an aftermarket radio with Bluetooth, and I need to route the microphone from the headliner down to the radio well (behind the radio).
I can get the microphone down from the headliner via the A pillar, but I'm not sure how to get it from there to the radio.

Can anyone advice? I don't want to take out the glovebox since that will involve removing a lot of the interior.
Can I route under the steering wheel - but then how do I reach the radio?
Or, can I route along the bottom of the glove box, and somehow feed the cable (e.g. coat hanger) into the radio well?

Thanks in Advance!

My Touran is a 2011 UK spec petrol model.

[Hair Bear]

On the T1 there is one screw in the bottom of the dashtop cubby. That then lifts out and gives a fair bit of access. I have a 2way radio mounted there with antenna cable from that point to the A pillar, and power and mic remote leads from there to under the center consol, so to run a line from pillar to radio area via the dash cubby access is quite feasable if the T2 is similar.
I got some very long zipties, ideal for running lines through - less chance of piercing things and short circuits. Takes longer but less risk.

[sammy.se]

Thanks Hair Bear - that sounds like it could be an option.

Did you run the cable from the centre cubby across the driver side, or passenger side? I have an air bag in the way, so not sure if it will work, but I will have a look.

I love the zip tie idea - so you went from the A pillar to the cubby?

[Hair Bear]

Sorry for the delay, had to go and remind myself of what I did. Bear in mind though, this is a T1 and I'm working down the lh side.
I was running RG58 coax cable, probably 5mm dia., and the route I took was to come out of the headlining where the A pillar cover starts, then run down the A pillar by gently lifting the door rubber back so the cable is trapped in place by the pillar cap and the rubber. When you get to the dash, the vertical panel on the end of the dash just pops off. You need to trim a slight notch in it for cable clearance. From memory, I think the easy way from here is to work the feeder back from the dash cubby to the door then pull the wire back to emerge at the cubby. The lower part of the center console side panel in the foot well is held in by 1 screw and a couple of clips, fiddle the feeder down through and follow with the cable. I've not had the radio out of mine so have no idea what the access into the radio space is like.

[sammy.se]

Great, thank you! This will be a weekend project for me soon, I will report on progress!

[sammy.se]

So, an update:

I decided to route via the lower dash under the steering wheel.
I managed to do this, by loosening, but not removing the lower dash, by taking the side panel off (next to the headlight switch) and removing the screws - one on the side and one (I think) near the fuse box lid.

On the other side of the steering column, when you oven the fuse box lid, you can see two screws. I removed these and now I was able to pull a small triangular panel out (just clips, no screws) which gives access to the radio well.

Using the clever cable/zip tie idea, I fed the Microphone cable through the radio well, under the steering column and fed the cable through the loosened lower dash. Up the A-pillar (behind the airbag) and into the ceiling. The Mic was placed in it's factory fitted position.

I also removed the centre cubby, which allowed me to put the GPS antenna neatly into a small hole close to the windscreen.

Took less than two hours in total - job done!

Thanks Hair Bear, and all, for your help.

[Hair Bear]

You're welcome.