A Few Questions

[Inni]

I am new to this site and have had my 94 Geo Metro Hatchback for about a year. I just have a few questions:

1) When I turn on my car, and sit in park, it makes a rattling noise. Some people think its an engine mount. And when i drive it sounda like something is dragging but it isnt. What do you think?

2) Also, how do you take a stock radio out? I tried everything but i cant get it out.

Thanx in advance.

[SeanMurphy]

The stock radio comes out by removing the screws on the side of the cupholder / pocket assembly in front of the gear shift (if equipped). Next, there are probably a couple of screws exposed when you puill the ash tray out, take them out. Then the whole trim piece in front of the deck should come out, eposing the screws holding the deck in. Some of those decks also had a small screw holding the deck in from behind, on the back of the radio. If that's the case, only small arms, and a lot of cursing will get that off. I've done a couple, and sometimes I end up breaking the bracket in back clean off before getting that screw out, which is ok, because an aftermarket deck would go in using a tabbed can instead of using that screw bracket.

[Inni]

OK thanx! I tried everything but couldnt get that out cuz i didnt know about the small screw in the back.

What about the rattling noise?

Thanx

[SeanMurphy]

I have no idea without looking at it. Have a look under the hood with the engine running, look at the motor mounts to see if any of them is vibrating more than the others. Keep in mind that the engine will jump back and forth a bit, especially the 3 cylinder, as they don't run quite as smoothly as a 4 or 6 cylinder engine might. If it looks like one of the mounts is moving, it might be a worn bushing or broken mount. it might help to have a friend in the driver's seat who can apply the gas to change the engine speed while you're looking. Keep your hands and clothes clear of the belts and fan, though.

[Inni]

Well i through oil in my car and some of the rattling stopped. It turned out that i had little oil in it. It runs better but it still makes noise.

[nsalve]

REMOVING STOCK RADIO FROM 1994 METRO HB-- Using the $99 shop manual I have removed all the trim stuff, the ashtray/cup-holder, stuff, etc. And I have removed the 4 screws holding the front of the radio to the dash. I can move the radio up/down and left/right about 1/4 inch. But I can't pull it out. Clearly, there is one more fastener in the back. The radio fits into a space that is seriously cluttered with hardware, wires, stuff, that makes it impossible to see back of radio when you stick your head by the brake and look up into back of dash.
Shop manual says that back fastener can be removed from under and behind the "left console". Left console is just to the left of the radio, and appears to be integral with the entire dashboard.. My question is- how do you get at the back fastener? It appears that I may have to remove the entire dashboard in order to pull the "left console" portion up and away to allow access to the left side and back of the radio. Is there a better way, since this is somewhat of a major operation? If there are any ideas, please continue this thread or email direct to [email protected]. thanks. NS

[SeanMurphy]

I have humongous hands and I've managed without taking any of that stuff apart. If you stick your hand up behind the deck, going in from the passenger's side, you can get your fingers on the bolt holding the deck in. If you're lucky, it's finger tight. More likely, you'll need to get a wrench in there and turn it.

The only way to do it that I've found is to be laying across the driver's seat, with your legs out the door and your head approximately in front of the deck, then reach up with your right hand under the glove compartment and feel around until you can touch the bolt on the back of the deck. Good luck.

[nsalve]

Thanks for the advice. I finally reached through the opening below the radio and felt the Phillips screw after much searching. I was finally able to barely see it by sticking my head under the glove box and reaching it with a screwdriver. Got the radio out. It helps a lot when you know what you are looking for. Unfortunately the shop manual said that access to the screw was under the "left console" panel. Completely wrong, and sent me down the wrong path.
I like the do-it-yourself thing, but at times it can be frustrating. I think the radio is about worn out. Thinking about getting a new deck with a CD slot, and new 4 inch speakers. Do you have any advice on installing a new deck in the space where the stock radio goes? I am concerned about the problem of connecting the wires between the old stock radio wiring harness and the wiring receptacle on the new deck. Also, connecting the existing speaker wires now housed in a simple plastic connector- to the wiring receptacle on each of the 4 new speakers. Thanks again. NS

[SeanMurphy]

The speakers in my metro are 6.5" speakers, not 4". Check www.metraonline.com for speaker applications. As to wiring, buy a wiring harness from Metra or Scosche at a stereo shop and just plug into the factory harness. Don't bother trying to wire in an aftermarket harness maunally, you'll just blow fuses.

As to fitting a deck in, the same place that has the wiring harnesses will also have adaptor kits to allow you to fit a normal deck into the 1.5 din hole, and have either a little pocket for a cd or two, or a snap out panel for an optional equalizer.