Honda Jazz Audio transplant (2002)

[mike01707]

Hi there.

Has anybody out there attempted and/or suceeded in removing the centre panel on the dashboard which includes the built in Radio Cassette?

I have now tried twice without success. Each time I have done the prepatory work of screw removal and glove box removal to gain rear access. But each time I have failed to dislodge any or all of the clips holding the whole shooting match in, which is necessary to remove the front panel.

I need to do this thing to stop my wife complaining of no music in her car. A breaker has quoted me £126 to send me a recovered radio cassette from a wrecked Jazz.

Honda are happy to do the job for me at £1500 which includes a new radio cassette, it really is out of the question for us.

My sons have suggested buying her a cheap MP3 with earphones, but I really do want to do this thing, if only because one day we will want to sell the vehicle.

Any help based on personal knowlege or experience would be greatly appreciated.

I have also contacted car audio shops and installers to carry out the work, but they are not interested as the unit is built in, argh!

Regards
mike c

[tjh]

Try this looking at hondafitjazz.com/audio.htm

[Funkstar]

http://www.xcarlink.hu/xcareng/index...d=19&Itemid=29

Some good pictures there

And this is the link posted by tjh above
http://www.hondafitjazz.com/audio.htm

[directhex]

why they couldn't have just had a line-in port, like on something like an aygo, is beyond me

[dangel]

why they couldn't have just had a line-in port, like on something like an aygo, is beyond me

Most 60 year old's don't own an iPod?

[tjh]

I have a "Sport" Jazz with a different centre console to accommodate climate rather than aircon. I've removed the 3 screws similar to the instructions for the normal centre console but mine still won't budge. Any ideas?

[mike01707]

this is only a test reply prior to an extensive reply. have tried twice to post detailed info, withou sucess. will try again tommorow.
Mike c

[mike01707]

this is only a test reply prior to an extensive reply.

[capt_cornflake]

why they couldn't have just had a line-in port, like on something like an aygo, is beyond me

The new ones do (post 2005 I think), my 2004 model even had the spot on the dash where the socket would go...

I used the instructions in the tjh / Funkstar link a few months ago, and it worked a treat - much better than the crappy FM transmitter I used to struggle by with

[mike01707]

Hello and thanks to all those who offered ideas and suggestions to aid the removal of the centre console housing the audio unit. Appologies for not responding sooner, but have been away taking the rays.

First, let me be totally honest and say that I eventually paid a car hi fi guy to replace the whole centre console, including audio system, front plate etc, everything.

I made this decision after purchasing a complete front panel assembly with all the audio kit in place (again everything) from an on line breaker. I received multiple quotes from breakers for the whole shooting match ranging from £80 - £300 delivered, all with a three month guarantee.

Eventually I paid £125 delivered. The item was like new and came from a latter year than my Jazz. The breaker sent pictures of the unit prior to purchase, and I upgraded from radio cassete to radio dvd.

A previous helpful respondent on this site had informrd me that only one loom would have been made for the Jazz, and it woud have appropriate connectors (in use or spare) for all variations of available equipment for the model. So I purchased the radio dvd with confidence!

Now down to the removal of the centre console. After receiving the replacement item it was immediately apparent how the centre panel was secured to the car, by two relatively secret screws that are not clearly shown on any of the sites I visited which purported to show how to remove the centre panel.

It was very apparent that one should NOT attempt to remove the radio cassete/dvd player by itself, but instead remove the whole centre console including the audio etc. I had previously removed three screws, as shown on diagrams and on a honda workshop manual dvd. On reflection none of these diagrams were at all clear regarding the two "master screws" that must be removed before any attempt is made to pull the centre console out. I feel confident that after these two screws are removed the centre console will come out with a good pull, no need to find clips etc.

Talk of securing clips is slightly misleading, there are about six of these, they are of the spring steel type and are fixed to plastic lugs moulded onto the facia panel, and come out with the panel when eventually pulled. So it is fair to say that these clips attached to the front panel actually go into holes on the car chassis, the spring clips have small barbs on them to help secure the centre console.

To gain access to the two "master screws" you will need a small stubby screwdriver. When removing the screws the back of your hand will be facing the car floor and the screwdriver pointing straight up, vertical.

The location of these screws is one either side of the tin cover of the radio itself.

Looking from the front of the radio casette/dvd, the screws are at the height of the top of each circular radio control knob (tune/volume).

Addionally, the two screws are almost exactly in line with the outside edge of the circular control knobs (vol/tune).

Finally the screws are positioned exactly 154mm (6 & 1/8") behind the control knobs, when measured from the face of the contol knob to the centre line of each screw.

The other screw that needs to be removed is sited below the centre heater/ventilation controls, on my Jazz that is the fan speed control knob.

The heating/ventilation controls will come away with the centre console, when all will be revealed.

Glove box liner removal may help with the L/H screw, the liner just pulls out and reverse fits.

Now we know where the screws are, the main problem is access. AsI have described previously, the two main screws must be removed from underneath the centre console, lying on your back so to speak.

I have just taken a shufty at the Jazz and there is a plastic panel located directly beneath the centre console (about 9" wide by 4"high) I am sure the guy who fitted it said that once he got access from underneath the centre console the job was straight forward. So perhaps the secret to access is by removing this small plastic panel.

The reason I decided not to DIY was because of my back problems, but after receiving the replacement panel, all became apparent.

I still have the original centre panel complete, I will fax pictures or send send photographs to anyone who is interested.

Aditionally I am happy to provide my telephone number to any member who thinks I may be able to help.

The new Haynes manual fot the Jazz is now published, for the problem described above it is worse than useless.

The cause of the radio problem turned out to be an exploding electrolytic capacitor on the main circuit board, resulting in burning that put the board beyond repair.
Mike c

[Funkstar]

Good write up there Mike

Although no use to me (I don't have a Jazz) I'm sure someone will benefit from it.

Thanks for updating us.

[MSIC]

I'm really sorry that for whatever reason i hadnt noticed this thread before - i didnt have exactly the same problem, i just was unhappy with input options for my '54 Jazz SE and it's rubbish stereo, and had a guy fit an ipod adaptor to the multi-CD changer port.
All now works as advertised, charges and plays the iPod, controls using the dash controls etc.
We of course had to remove the front dashboard to get at it, with help from the hondafitjazz website, as linked to above.

Sorry, late to the party. Nice detailed write-up though.

[tjh]

The only instructions I can find for removal relate to the aircon versions of the Jazz :
eg hondafitjazz.com/audio/aux00.jpg
Anyone know how to remove the centre console from the Climate version (standard on Sport in UK):
topgear.com/drives/B5/A0/gallery/03/main.jpg