How do you install CD on Toyota starlet?

Answer 1

1. Choose a car stereo

I wanted the cheapest decent unit I could find. I ended up getting the Sony CDX-GT290. It looks OK and plays data CDs and has a front auxillary input. $117.00 from JB HIFI. All car stereos ( at least for recently late model cars ) are a standard size so it was pretty much guaranteed to fit in the car.

2. Get the tools / accessories needed

Amazingly, all i needed was a #2 philips head screw driver ( the 'standard' size ) and 2 adaptor leads. The adaptor leads simplify the installation immensely as they eliminate the need for any rewiring and soldering and means you don't alter the original car wiring in any way. I got one '98 Toyota to Sony adaptor and one Sony to '98 Toyota adaptor. $20 each from Autobarn.

3. Remove old unit

Remove the faceplate covering the car stereo and other controls etc in the centre of the dashboard by undoing 2 size 2 philips head screws at the top and then gently pulling out and releasing the clips at the bottom.

Undo the 4 philips head screws connecting the stereo unit bracket to the car dash frame and pull out the stereo and brackets.

Unplug the unit connectors and aerial lead from the back of the old stereo and remove the brackets. Keep these brackets - they will be used for installing the new stereo.

4. Install new unit

The instructions for the Sony are very unclear and disorganised and seem to be written for the case of installing the unit in a place where there has never been any kind of stereo before. So what I ended up doing was following the initial instructions; remove the protector plate ( ironically named as it broke while I was removing it! ) and bracket, then attaching the bracket that came with the car to the stereo without using their bracket at all ( just use their screws to attach the bracket instead of the old ones ). The not-so-aptly-named "protector plate" doesn't fit into the dash ( sticks out too far ) and is not needed anyway so i left that off. The dash panel fits flush against the edges of the front of the unit once put back into place so it is fine with out it.

Attach any other fittings you want to the bracket; I attached the tray that came with the car that was under the original stereo. Click the adaptor leads together then connect them to the car leads first, then the new unit. Plug in the aerial lead. Push the assembled unit, tray and brackets into position on the dash frame and screw it in with the screws from the original assembly. Note: It's a good idea to test everything's working at this point before actually screwing the bracket into place. Rest the unit in place using the "holders" on the dash frame ( or just hold it ) and test it out. ( When you first plug in the power and other leads you will hear the CD player make a few noises but if you wish you can now test it out more thoroughly ).

Push the dashboard cover back into place; easiest to push top in first then click bottom clips into place. Screw in the two philips head screws at top of cover to secure in place.

Done! New stereo installed!