Need help removing glove box in 97 Avalon XLS

[ecarlson]

[For those of you who don't want to read the rest of my message, if you can just tell me how to remove the 97 Avalon glove box, that would be great!]

I've installed at least a half dozen stereos in other models of cars, so I'm not new to this. I have the wiring schematic from the Haynes manual. I've had the factory head unit out of the dash, but it's back in now. The existing unit is the base radio/cassette unit (and I want CD/MP3/WMA). I plan to keep the factory speakers and run them directly from the new stereo unit (there's no sub in my car, just the door speakers).

As I understand it, from the little I have been able to find on the Internet, there is supposedly an amplifier behind the glove box, and I can't figure out how to get to it so I can disconnect it and wire the new stereo directly to the speakers.

Any hints, and success stories, would be appreciated. Thanks.

[csaxon]

Remove the lower panel under the glove box. It's held on by clips. Pry and pull. Then you'll see 3 nuts underneath to remove the door. There may be some clips on the upper part of the box (newer models do) that you can be pry with a screwdriver or flat plastic spatula. I don't have your model to look at but I suspect there a some visible screws in the box also.

[ecarlson]

Thanks, I'll give it another look, but when I last tried, it looked like the lower panel was held in with 3 or 4 bolts, which I removed, but the lower panel still didn't budge.

Are your instructions specifically for the 97 XLS?

Perhaps I could post some photos of what my lower panel looks like, to confirm.

[csaxon]

Yes. You might try a book store or library or auto parts store and look at a Chiltons/Haynes or Motor manual for your year. Pictures are usually helpful.

This site offers instruction you can download with pictures for a few bucks.

http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereor...S300CDChgr.htm

Try an email to bobcrane at this site he has a 97 avalon and is working on a cd setup with his glove box.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t95404.html

[ecarlson]

Thanks. I have the Haynes manual, and there is no useful info about removing the 97 Avalon XLS glovebox. That is why I asked here. I was hoping to find someone who had experience with this particular model.

And I already have all the info that is on the Carstereo help web site.

I will check out the other site.

[ecarlson]

I finally figured out how to remove the glove box in my 97 Avalon XLS.

There are 3 bolts and 4 clips holding on the L shaped panel that is both below and to the right the glove box. I removed the right side kick plate first (held on by one plastic nut and 2 clips), then I removed the 3 bolts from the bottom panel, and pulled and pried with my hands until the 4 clips were all detached, and the panel came off. There is also a black cover under the dash, which is attached to this panel by 3 clips. I separated this cover after removing the bottom panel.

Then I removed the 3 nuts holding on the glove box door, then removed the 4 screws holding on the glove box, and it came out with a lot of coaxing.

To fully remove the glove box, I detached the side plate, which holds what appears to be the air-bag disconnect, from the glove box, and disconnected the connectors for the trunk release and glove box light.

I saw the engine control box, the cruise control box, and the stereo amplifier box all in a row in there, and I took a few photos for future reference.

Since I wasn't ready to do massive rewiring of the stereo today, I put everything back together for now.

[csaxon]

Maybe you can do a DIY with photos next time you take it apart? Thanks for the update!