Problem Focus 6000 CD radio removal

[cathalmccabe]

Hi,

Any advice appreciated.

I want to be able to use my iPod touch with my ford focus (2005) car audio.

I wanted to check the back of the radio to see if I can wire up a 3.5 mm jack in to it. (Or an iPod cable)

I have been trying to remove my 6000 CD radio (the one with the volume control in the centre and the slot keys - with one flat edge and the other curved) but have been having problems.

I have 2 keys but am unable to remove the radio. I can get the keys in, where they seem to "engage" the clips, but once they are in I cannot disengage them, abd the radio does not seem to budge. I have been using a lot of force, and havn't been able to get the radio out. I think I may have some of the clips "unlocked", but the radio does not seem to come out at all even on the sides where I think I have opened the clips. I'm not fully sure what I did to get some of the cips open, or if they even are open. I am a bit concerned about the amount of pressure I did use.

Any advice, or tips on how to get it out?

I notice what seems like the clip, a "U" or "n" shape in the slot, where it is possible to put the removal key above or below it. I'm not sure wher I should be trying to put it.

Alternatively, if there are any good replacement radios that anyone can recommend I would appreciate hearing about them (I have foudn internet searching difficult). I might just opt for paying a garage to fit it.

Primarily I ant iPod "input" and if possible controllable from the steering controls. After that, if Sat Nav, and then bluetooth are also available in an afordable replacement unit it would be a bonus!

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

[mintalkin]

i think you will find that you need four keys at once to remove radio not two, see here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIt...em=370102722331

[Lad]

Hi, I'm having the same problem but with 4 keys, I can't seem to get them to lock into my stereo, I'v done it with my mates one and it seems to work fine but not in mine!!!

Is there any other way to remove the stereo? (or is there a trick to how the keys go into it?)

Thanks.

[mintalkin]

the keys should lock into place and your not able to remove them untill the radio is removed or damage could be done to the fitting

[Lad]

the keys should lock into place and your not able to remove them untill the radio is removed or damage could be done to the fitting

they just don't lock in!

does anyone know any other way to get the stereo out???

Thanks

[Intersimi]

I have 3 of the 4 inserted correctly, but the 4th just won't attach anything, it just slides about inside the hole.

I am unable to remove it using the tools for this reason. Any clue on how to remove it with an issue like this?

[Jay-herridge]

It is possiable that the fourth pin does not locate because the clip inside is bent, this has happened to us many times before. You could try using a Non Ford removal key such as a Kenwood key as they have a longer end which should reach further into the radio, once in you basically have to locate the clip and bent it inwards to release the radio.

If you are unable to do this you may need to take it to a specialist radio store who will be able to do this for you.

[Maxjonz]

Is it possible to drill a small hole in the plastic surround and then push the catch open with the drill or metal bar ?    My two top keys won't locate unfortunately.

[Stoney871]

Drilling a hole will not help as the mechanism is all contained within a metal frame integral to the radio itself.

The common problem is for thew tabs to get bent when the radio is inserted and the keys can't lever the tabs out far enough to clear the radio surround.

I suggest a long thin blade with more leverage (a steak knife works well) so that you can put more pressure on the tab.

Pressing on the front of the radio whilst unlatching the tabs also helps as it give the tab less friction to work against and therefore move more easily.

Photos of latching mechanism and tabs so you can orientate yourself better-

[Maxjonz]

Well I tried and tried and could not make the keys work at the top.      So I did drill a 5mm hole into the plastic whilst leaving the key in place, and it went in easily. No metal encountered at all.   When the Key moved I realised that I had hit the right spot.   The top left of the radio was now free (with a push from a thin screwdriver into the hole) as was the bottom left.    The top right was still stuck.  It was a little more difficult to drill in the right side because of the steering wheel, but I managed to find the right spot and the radio came out (whoopee)    On examination, the small tabs on the top two clips were very bent out of shape, so someone else must have bent these ! There was no chance that anything would have engaged them.   The lower ones were nearly out of shape but the keys just managed to clip into them.    Following some work with a pair of pliers I bent all the tabs into their correct positions and tested  the keys , which now worked easily.    I got the serial number and entered the code, and the radio worked.  It did say entering one hour mode though (the car had a new battery which is what caused the problem) so I hope this will disappear once I have used it a few times.