Removal of Sony XR4409 from MK3 Golf

[jmcf1uk]

Hi people,

This is my first post on the forum. I'm looking for advice on how to remove the radio cassette from my MK3 Golf. I want to fit a new CD player and I could use some advice on how to do it and what a need to do it.

[jono74uk]

you will probably need some removal pins to release the stereo from its cage, then you will be able to see if the wiring has previously been butchered or not.

[jula]

Hello,

You should be able to slide the removal pins down each side of the stereo, once they lock pull them back and the stereo should come with it. Grab the stereo and gently pull it out till the wires are exposed.

There will be wires running to a clip in the back of the stereo. Unclip it, then pull the arial wire out of the stereo and the stereo should now be free. you should now be able to clip the same connection into your new stereo, if it doesn't fit you can buy new clips quite cheaply that will fit.

Good Luck.

[jet]

Ok I just did this with the standard Sony in my car.
Don't know if it's the same model as yours but...
On mine it didn't have the standard release catches down the sides of the head unit. It had two catches on the top plate that held it in place. These were released by sliding something very thin and long into tiny horizintal slats along the top of the plate that the face clips in to. You'll need a bright day or a torch. Take the front off and look carefully along the top the backplate. You should see the thin horizontal gaps in the plastic which you will need to slide something appropriately long and thin. A cut up credit card should fit perfectly.
If you don't have one of these to hand! Do what I did and remove the plate from the front of the stereo by undoing the small screws that hold it in place. There are about 6 of them. Then the plate comes off and you will have better access to the catches on the top of the cage that you should be able to unclip with a small screwdriver as you ease the main body of the radio forward. Beware that there is a small spring holding the tape door flap in place. This may fall out.
As previously mentioned, once out, you should find that the radio wiring clips into a standerd ISO connector. You should be able to simply unplug the old radio and plug in the new one. Otherwise your into a trip to halfords for a bunch of bullet connectors.