Car Stereos: Re: 2002 Le Sabre FM Modulator Answer, antenna amplifier, fm modulator

Question
Hi Brian,

Thanks for your help with my IS77 install project. It didn't occur to me to ask before, but is there a proper/improper way to remove the A pillar cover, knee panel, etc? I'm afraid I might snap them, and want to make sure there are no hidden screws.

Also, when you said there was an antenna junction over there, did you mean an actual jack that feeds into the line or just a convenient place to splice my own wiring?

Thanks, man!

Answer
Hi Devin,

To the best of my knowledge, there aren't any screws holding any of the panels you need to remove.  The knee panel, A-pillar cover and dash end panel should pull off, though it might take a bit of persuasion.  I've always been able to pull them off with just my hands.

The junction in the antenna cable is a point where two separate lengths of the cable are joined together.  The cable runs from the antenna amplifier, mounted near the rear glass, and terminates with a male "Motorola" plug. (This is the standard antenna plug used with all after-market car audio equipment).  The part of the cable that connects to the actual factory radio is routed behind the glove box, and terminates in a female Motorola jack.  The junction under the passenger-side A-pillar is the point where these two cables are joined together.  You can separate them and connect the IS77 between the two cable ends, and it will work exactly the same as if you had connected it at the back of the factory radio.  You won't need to cut or splice anything, if that's what you're thinking; you just have to separate the plug and jack, and connect them to the respective input and output on the IS77.

You might not need to remove the A-pillar cover to access the antenna junction.  Look for the dash end piece, accessible when you open the passenger door.  It will have a piece of ductwork built into it (channeling air for the side window defroster outlets built into the door panel).  You can remove this entire end cover, including the short length of ductwork, as one piece.  It's just held in with friction clips.  When it's removed, look into the top of the opening.  You should be able to see the black antenna cable, routed down the A-pillar to a plug near the A-pillar's base.  I always remove the A-pillar cover along with the dash end piece, just to make more room to work; but you might be able to make your connections without removing the A-pillar cover.  If you do have to remove the A-pillar panel, start by pulling carefully near the top of the panel.  There are one or two friction clips that hold the panel to the A-pillar, at the top and the middle; once they release, you can lift up on the panel to detach it from the top of the dash.

Hope this helps!

Brian