98 Camry Factory Radio Replacement

cdlubbe · 12-25-2004, 01:58 PM

Hello:This is my first post in this forum.Looks like a great place to get alot of good information.I recently purchased a 1998 Camry LE 4 cylinder for my wife.It has the factory AM/FM Cassette unit in it.
I bought a factory Toyota Combo AM/FM Cassette/CD unit for it.Is there anything else I need to get to install it?Will it plug right in?do I need to buy some special screws or hardware?
What do I need to remove to get the radio out of the dash?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Best Regards...Chuck Lubbe
Silvis,Illinois

Mike Gerber · 12-25-2004, 04:02 PM

First, you need to know what year car the AM/FM Cassette/CD came out of. If it's from a 98-2001 it should be plug and play. To get the old radio out you need to pull the plastic piece out that surrounds the radio and heater controls. Start at the bottom and pull gently near the sides of the piece. Once those clips on the bottom release work your fingers up the sides toward the top. I wouldn't try this unless you have a warm place to work on it. These plastic pieces can get pretty brittle in the cold. After that plastic piece is off there will be 2 or 4 screws that you will see that hold the radio and it's bracket in to the car. Remove these and the radio and bracket should slide right out. Disconnect the modular plug(s) and the antenna lead from behind the radio. Next remove the 2 to 4 screws on the side of the assembly that hold the radio into the bracket. That's about it. Reassembly is just the reverse of the same procedure. The only thing you may need are 2 additional screws that hold the radio in to the sides of the bracket if your radio only has 2 screws holding it in. You can purchase these at just about any hardware store.

Good luck with the project.

Mike

cdlubbe · 12-25-2004, 07:11 PM

Hello Mike:Thanks for the helpful information.Yes,the Combo unit came out of another 1998 car.
I will put it in my wifes car next week.
Best Regards...Chuck

Mike Gerber · 12-26-2004, 10:06 AM

You're welcome.

Mike

onceagen · 03-03-2007, 07:25 AM

Dear Folks,

I also have a 98 Camry and need to get the radio out. I think some speaker wires shorted out. I see the trim piece which surrounds the radio and heater controls and took the ashtray out, but have been unsuccessful in using my hands to remove it. Should I be putting a screwdriver to this? I appreciate any help.

Thanks!

Ed onceagen

Mike Gerber · 03-03-2007, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onceagen

Dear Folks,

I also have a 98 Camry and need to get the radio out. I think some speaker wires shorted out. I see the trim piece which surrounds the radio and heater controls and took the ashtray out, but have been unsuccessful in using my hands to remove it. Should I be putting a screwdriver to this? I appreciate any help.

Thanks!

Ed onceagen

Ed,

You could use a screwdriver, but I have found a J-hook tool or an old dental pick work best. If you are going to use the screwdriver, be sure to put some electrical tape on the tip to prevent damaging anything.

Mike

onceagen · 03-03-2007, 02:04 PM

Mike,

I was able to free it without any damage. I didn't recognize that it began down by the lighter and had been trying to work the middle. Starting at the bottom, I made it almost to the top and then slipped a screwdriver up and behind to gently release the top. Thanks!

Now that's it out I have another question; here's what's going on- A few months back the speakers began to cut out and then back in. Then, I heard an arcing spark, smelled burning, lost the rear speakers, and have consistently scratchy sound from the front speakers. I unwrapped some of the bundled wires and don't see any burned wires under the dash. What I didn't unbundle I squeeezed while the unit was playing. There was no change in the sound quality.

I figure my problem is under the dash in wires I can't reach, or in the unit radio itself. I'm inclined to think it actually is the radio. What is your thinking, and what have you heard about these factory installed units?

Thanks.

Ed onceagen

Mike Gerber · 03-03-2007, 02:38 PM

Ed,

I'm no electonics expert by any means, but I think since you heard a spark arcing and smelled some burning wires, that you have a short to ground somewhere in the speaker wiring. You will have to unravel all the wiring loom and look for burn marks and wire insulation that has been worn off. In layman's terms, a short to ground means that some wire with current flowing through it, has worn insulation that allows the wire to touch some bare metal somewhere, before it has reached it's normal component. I would start with the wiring for the rear speakers, since they are the ones that aren't working. You could identify the wire colors for the rear speakers by looking in the trunk and then working your way forward.

Good luck.

Mike

RIP · 03-03-2007, 03:01 PM

onceagen - Ditto to Mike plus check the wire bundle in the area of the left trunk hinge. Not sure if speaker wires run through it but, this bundle is infamous for creating tail light problems.

OBTW - Next time if you have a second unrelated problem please post another thread. This will make it easier for folks to find it when doing a search depending on how they search. As it is, your wire problem will be hard to find since your title doesn't relate.

onceagen · 03-06-2007, 10:23 PM

Mike and RIP,

I spent a bit of time in the trunk today, but no success yet. I will let you know the fix.

Thaanks.

Ed onceagen

onceagen · 07-06-2007, 11:04 AM

So here's where things are now- an overpacked trunk disturbed the wiring on a rear speaker which shorted/arced, blew the speaker and is believed to have at least blown the head unit of the original factory radio. Thanks for all your suggestions.

Ed onceagen

Mike Gerber · 07-06-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onceagen

So here's where things are now- an overpacked trunk disturbed the wiring on a rear speaker which shorted/arced, blew the speaker and is believed to have at least blown the head unit of the original factory radio. Thanks for all your suggestions.

Ed onceagen

Ed,

Sorry to hear that.

Have you tried just replacing the rear speaker(s) to see if that alone helps? It sounds like you will have to replace them either with or without a new head unit. Might as well try just the speakers first. Maybe you will get lucky and the head unit is OK.

Mike

onceagen · 07-24-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

Ed,

Sorry to hear that.

Have you tried just replacing the rear speaker(s) to see if that alone helps? It sounds like you will have to replace them either with or without a new head unit. Might as well try just the speakers first. Maybe you will get lucky and the head unit is OK.

Mike

It turns out that overpacking the trunk did disrupt the right rear speaker wires, short out the speaker and fry the radio. I wasn't interested in removing the rear seat and shelf to pull and replace the speaker, so I've only in the past months completely disconnected the troubled speaker and replaced the radio with an aftermarket unit. Thanks again!

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