Disassembling 1998-2002 Honda Accord Stereo Head Unit

Written By: Miroslav Djuric

Comments: 5

Disassembling 1998-2002 Honda Accord Stereo Head Unit

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 minutes

Introduction

Here's a guide showing how to remove the stereo out of your Honda Accord.

Note that I installed a head unit that required an aftermarket double-DIN adapter. The disassembly procedure may differ slightly for a Honda stock head unit.

Tools

Step 1

Before going any further: disconnect the battery. I keep a 10 mm wrench in my center console specifically for this purpose.
Use a 10 mm wrench to disconnect the negative battery terminal, followed by the positive terminal.

Step 2

Note that the dash has been taken apart before, namely to install all those fancy gizmos you see in this picture.
The disassembly procedure is exactly the same for stock factory systems, but may differ when taking out the radio itself.

Step 3

Use a #2 Philips screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the center of the dashboard in place.

Step 4

Use a spudger for the following step or, if you don't have one handy, cover a flathead screwdriver with a rag.
Gently insert a spudger or flathead screwdriver directly underneath the clock, just enough so you can pry out the clock. Perhaps a half inch or so will do it.

Step 5

Slide the clock out to expose a sole Phillips screw.
Alternatively, you can first disconnect the clock (see next step) and then proceed to remove the screw. It might be slightly easier to do that instead of the method you see here, but either way will work fine.
Remove the screw using your Phillips #2 screwdriver.

Step 6

Unplug the smaller connector first. There's a tab on top of the connector that you have to push downwards, then pull the connector. Make sure to grasp the connector itself, and not the wires.
Do the same with the larger connector. Again, there's a tab on top that needs to be pushed downward.

Step 7

Now, gently pull the bottom of the center console towards you. Don't yank it out, there's two more connectors holding it in place.

Step 8

First take off the red connector. Just like before, there's a tab on top of the connector that you have to push downwards first.
Follow suit with the green connector.
Center dash can now be fully removed.

Step 9

Remove the four screws (two on each side) holding the double-DIN stereo frame in place using a #2 JIS screwdriver or 8mm socket wrench.

I stripped these screws, any idea how I can recover from that?

mt - 30/01/16

Update: Save yourself some trouble by using a 8mm socket wrench on these screws or purchase a #2 JIS screwdriver (Japanese Industrial Standards) to avoid cam-outs. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner.

mt - 17/02/16

Step 10

Slide out the stereo head unit.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Miroslav Djuric

159666 Reputation

3 comments

Great article!!!

It’s easy understand and install myself

Also, I would like to introduce to you a great article for the double din head unit as well as questions around it: http://speedfinal.com/double-din-head-un...

Grant Stella - 24/10/17

Awesome detailed information step by step!!!

It’s helpful to install stereo system, I would like to share the double din head unit as well as buyer’s guide around it: https://consumercure.com/best-double-din...

CarStereoSystem - 14/04/18

Really appreciate your words and details that you mentioned. you have given good detaisl about the wiring of the streaeo system. I want to share an article about 6x9 speakers and buyers guide.

https://www.7reviews.co/best-6x9-speaker...

briankya cathy - 13/05/18