Car Stereos: 1997 VW Jetta Radio Removal, jvc cd player, volkswagen jetta

Question
Hello Dave,
I recently purchased a 1997 Volkswagen Jetta, and I am having trouble finding out how to remove the radio, to put a JVC CD player in its place, thanks in advance, Marc.

Answer
Hi Marc -

If I'm thinking of the right dashboard, your radio is a pretty simple install IF you have the right tools.  

Your radio should have for holes on the face of it, two on the right and two on the left.  Those holes (much like ford radios) are for a special "key" that unlocks the radio.  The keys are "U" shaped and you use one key for each side, in other words, you need two keys to pull out the radio.

You can call VW and ask if they sell the keys but chances are, they won't sell them to you.  I'd try and find them online, like on ebay or classifieds.  They should be under 10 bucks.  You can also try going to a Circuit City or Best Buy type install shop and ask them to borrow their keys for a second.  

Anyhow, once you have keys, you stick them in until they click.  You should then be able to slide the radio out.  Unplug the harness from the back of the radio, don't cut it!  Unplug the antenna wire.  

It should leave you a perfect hole to install the new radio cage and harness.  If you need help from there, let me know.  Also, if I described the wrong radio, let me know.  Check out this link, it might be very helpful.

www.installdr.com/InstallDocs/VW/PDF/890005.pdf

Write me back for anything, any time.

Thanks!!

Dave