How to Remove an Acura TL Radio
by Jule Pamplin
You may need to remove your Acura TL stereo deck for repair or replacement, or to add components to your system. While some vehicles make the stereo removal process relatively simple, removing the TL's stereo is a complex task. You can choose to have a professional audio technician remove your Acura stereo deck, or you can do it yourself and save the cost of labor. Before you remove the stereo, you need to disconnect the grounding cable from the vehicle's battery to prevent shorting the Acura electrical system.
Step 1
Loosen the negative battery cable with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Remove the cable's clamp from the negative lead post and rest it away from the battery.
Step 2
Remove the two trim panels that run along either side of the stereo system. Start at the bottom (beside the gear selector lever), and pry the panels with a trim removal tool or flat screwdriver.
Step 3
Remove the panel under the steering column. Grab the panel near the driver's-side door and pull it free from the dash. Disconnect the three wire connections to the panel, by hand. Grab the plastic wire binders, and not the wires.
Step 4
Remove the lower side dash panel on the driver's side. The panel runs vertically and sits next to the driver's right leg. Three clips hold the panel in place. Pull the panel free by hand.
Step 5
Remove the glove compartment. Open the glove compartment and use your hands to remove the retaining plugs at the top corners of the compartment. Unscrew the two Phillips-head screws at the bottom corners of the glove compartment. Pull the glove compartment from the dash.
Step 6
Remove the lower panel in the passenger-side foot well. Pull the panel free by grabbing the top and pulling downward.
Step 7
Remove the entire upper passenger-side dash panel by hand. Grab the panel at the bottom (where the glove compartment opening is) and pull it free from the dashboard.
Step 8
Remove the lower side panel on the passenger side. The panel sits vertically near the passenger's left leg. Use your hands to pull the panel from the top.
Step 9
Remove the center dash panel that houses the vents and hazard switch. Use a trim panel tool wrapped with a thin cloth to pry the panel from the dash. Pull the panel away from the dash and disconnect the clock and hazard switch. Pull the plastic wire group binders, and not the wires.
Step 10
Remove the four bolts around the stereo unit with a 5/8-inch socket and ratchet. Two of the bolts are located at the bottom corners of the stereo. The other two are at the top.
Step 11
Grab the stereo unit at the top and bottom. Pull the stereo deck straight from the dash, far enough to reach the two wire groups connected at the top rear of the stereo.
Step 12
Pull the two wire groups away from the stereo. Grab the green plastic binders, and not the wires. Tilt the stereo forward to reach the wire groups connected at the bottom rear of the stereo. Pull the groups from the stereo. These groups are for the antenna, speakers, amplifier, and power supply. Pull the stereo deck completely from the dash of the Acura TL.
References
Tips
- Leave the negative battery cable disconnected until all of your work is finished. Connect the cable to operate the vehicle by placing the negative cable's clamp around the negative lead post. Tighten the clamp with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Tighten the clamp so that it cannot be moved around the lead by hand.
Things You'll Need
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- Trim panel removal tool
- 5/8-inch socket and ratchet
Writer Bio
Jule Pamplin has been a copywriter for more than seven years. As a financial sales consultant, Pamplin produced sales copy for two of the largest banks in the United States. He attended Carnegie-Mellon University, winning a meritorious scholarship for the Careers in Applied Science and Technology program, and later served in the 1st Tank Battalion of the U.S. Marine Corps.
