In 1996, the Honda Accord came with a standard single-disc CD player AM/FM stereo. Options for 1996 Accords included multi-disc CD changers. Since the mid-1990s, the car audio market has enjoyed an influx of highly capable and adaptable aftermarket stereo systems. Many of the aftermarket stereo systems available will fit into the stereo mounting dock of a 1996 Honda Accord without requiring an adapter. For other stereo systems, a wiring harness adapter and faceplate adapter can make installation a breeze.
Lift the hood of your 1996 Honda Accord and disconnect the negative battery cable from the negative lead post, using a 10mm wrench to loosen the cable clamp's retaining bolt, then twisting the clamp off the post.
Lift the cover of the center console compartment. Pry open the small panel on the bottom of the compartment with a flat screwdriver or trim panel removal tool.
Remove the two screws beneath the small panel with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Remove the cup-holder tray from the center console by pulling the lid of the cup holder away from the center console until the compartment comes out of the dash panel.
Remove the three screws beneath the cup-holder tray with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Pull the entire center console away from the dashboard to access the dash panel screws near the gear selector lever.
Remove the two screws on the front side of the gear selector lever assembly with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Pull the ashtray from the dashboard.
Remove the screw at the rear of the ashtray opening with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Lift the dash panel that surrounds the stereo and the gear selector lever away from the dashboard. Grab the panel near the center console (it has been moved rearward) and pull it up and away from the dashboard.
Remove the two screws below the pocket under the factory stereo with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Pull the factory stereo from the stereo mounting dock. Disconnect the wiring to the back of the factory stereo.
Slide a faceplate adapter into the vacant opening left by the removed factory stereo.
Connect the stereo wiring to a wiring harness adapter. Connect the wiring harness adapter leads to the back of the aftermarket stereo you're installing.
Slide the new the stereo into the stereo mounting dock via the faceplate adapter.
Replace the two screws beneath the pocket under the new stereo with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Replace the dash panel that surrounds the stereo and the gear selector lever. Press down on the panel, and around the perimeter, to snap it back into place.
Replace the two screws between the center console and the gear selector lever assembly with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Replace the screw at the back of the ashtray opening with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Place the ashtray back into its slot.
Push the center console forward to meet the panel that surrounds the gear selector lever.
Replace the three screws in the cup-holder compartment with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Place the cup holder into the compartment and press it down to snap it back into place.
Replace the two screws at the bottom of the center console compartment with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Replace the panel that covers the screws at the bottom of the center console compartment.
Place the negative battery cable onto the negative lead post of the battery. Tighten the cable clamp's retaining bolt to secure the clamp to the lead post, using a 10mm wrench.
