How to Remove a Car Stereo From a Toyota Corolla '89 (AE92)

Intro: How to Remove a Car Stereo From a Toyota Corolla '89 (AE92)

After searching the net for one of these for days to no avail. I decided to make one myself.

A simple step-by-step instruction on how to remove the OEM (Alpine 7279ES) car stereo from your Toyota Corolla '89 model (AE92).

All you need is a Philips screw driver.

STEP 1: Detaching Lower Portion of Dash

Detach the whole lower portion of dash where the the air condition vents up to the cigarette lighter is located. Remove screws indicated in the pictures then pull out the whole part (little force required to pry loose the plastic locks) to access wiring.

STEP 2: Removing Wires

Carefully detach wrings of cigarette lighter and drawer lights. Push bottom locks of cigarette lighter wiring before pulling it out.

STEP 3: Detaching Upper Portion of Dash

Detach upper portion of dash where the clock and hazard light button is located. Remove screws indicated in the picture then pull out the whole part to access wiring.

STEP 4: Removing Wires

Unplug wiring for clock and hazard light button. Push bottom part of clock plug to unlock it before pulling it out.

STEP 5: Detaching Stereo Unit

Remove 4 screws indicated in the picture to access the wiring behind the radio.

STEP 6: Unplugging Stereo Wires

Unplug the main, antenna, and ground before pulling the whole stereo unit out.

Thanks for reading. I hope this helps.

This instructable on a different Corolla model inspired me to make one.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Upgrading-a-car-radio-for-a-Toyota-Corolla/

All your comments/corrections will be appreciated.

Comments

[MrYacov]

Thanks, this helped a ton!

[Earl Earl]

Hi, anyone still reading this in 2018? Wonderful job on this one giveit2john. This is a blessing for those who love the classing Corollas. By the way, I cant seem to remove the trim/panel thats under the dashboard. All screws are removed from the lower dash. It looks though you have to remove the steering wheel first. Any ideas?

[JoshuaS352]

I there, if anyone is reading this in 2018, i know this is an old post, but do you guys know where i can get a wiring harness to use my Sony head unit, i cant seem to get anything in NZ where it has that 3x3 connecter thing. i have this ISO cable to connect to my head unit, i just need to get away from the 3x3 pin that is factory on the corolla. any help would be greatly appreciated.

[vbuama]

Can i ask the wiring connection by means of the wire color? Because mine doesn't have the socket anymore. Thanks

[northern_bald_eagle]

Good job with the photos and all, giveit2john.
I have a few questions, please:

1- Why those wires in step 2 (cigarette lighter & drawer lights) have to be detached since they have nothing to do with the radio?
2- I assume that the clock and hazard light connections have to be detached in step 4 in order to clear room for removing the radio and that they can be reconnected again. Is it right?
3- is the main wire harness showed in step 6 standard in factory installed radios in the 89 Corollas? It seems different from what I saw shown in other "how-to-replace-the-radio-in-a-Corolla" instructions.

[shootermatic]

I realise this is old but in-case anyone else needs the information.

1- Detatching these allows you to completely remove the plastic dash and give your more working space (recommended).

2- Correct

3- This to me looked like an after thought by the manufacturer/Alpine really tiny little plugs i'd never seen before, those wires on mine were wrapped in some real sticky foam which I unwrapped to find standard Toyota plugs (for which you can buy an adapter).

[shootermatic]

Thanks for the instructable, but man was that a mission. Took me 4 hours to take the old one out and put the new on in put it all back together to find the memory isn't wired up :( now I have to do it all again before the missus finds out. Lesson learnt, if it aint broke don't fix it.

[talimusak]

Thanks for the instructions, I have the same stereo model but the audio IC is unreadable due to burn, Im planning to replace the IC, could you please send me the number of the audio IC it starts in TDA. Thanks a lot. [e-mail]

[lucariomaster]

Thanks for the guide. I have spent ages searching for how to remove the radio from a AE92 Corolla! (I drive a 1992 Corolla which uses this same design)

[ThinkBeforeYouSpeak]

Thanks, I've always wondered how to take apart the dash around the ashtray. Thanks!

[twocvbloke]

That's a lot of work just to remove a radio, you'd think they'd have fitted the radios that can be removed with a simple key or wire... :\ But then, they want you to pay them to upgrade your radio, don't they... ;)