How To Remove the Navigation Panel on a 2004 RX-8 (No Navigation)

Posted by Robert. Last Updated on the 10th of July, 2005 at 7:00 PM GMT.

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Introduction

Quick Notes

While this is not particularly difficult in retrospect, not knowing how things that you can't see work makes this an arduous process the first time. This page is meant to take some of the mystery out of the disassembly.

Keep up with the parts you remove, especially the screws!

What You Need

Tools

Phillips Head Screw Driver
Flat Head Screw Driver
12 mm wrench
Needle Nose Pliers
Compartmentalized Screw Container
Shop Manual (highly suggested but probably not required)

Time

This took me about two hours following the shop manual. I expect it will take less time on the second attempt.

How To

Step 1: Remove the Lower Panel

Figure 1.1: A photograph depicting the lower panel, point out the position of Clip A and Clip B, and explaining the hinge motion.

To remove the lower panel, simply grasp the inside top (near the steering column) and pull forward. This will release Clip A. Clip B is more like a circular hinge and is not physically locked to anything. Removal of this panel supposedly makes it easier to get to the head unit bolt.

Figure 1.2: A photograph of the removed lower panel, point out the position of Clip A and Clip B

From behind, it is more clear where the clips are and how they function.

Step 2: Remove the Console

The shift boot is the first thing that comes out. First, unscrew the shift knob. It is attached only by clips. Simply grab the plastic at the base of the shift boot (you'll be able to reach under the plastic by manipulating the shift boot) and pull up until the clips pop loose.

Figure 2.1: A photograph depicting the under side of the shift boot, pointing out the position of Clip A

Once the shift boot is gone, access is granted to the screws to remove the ashtray unit. The ashtray unit is held in by two clips in the back and two screws in the front. Before removing the ashtray unit, pull out the ashtray and lighter. Remove the two screws and pull the ashtray unit out. The cigarette lighter has two power sources and one light. Once you've got the ash tray out far enough, you can remove these.

Figure 2.2: A photograph depicting the electronic inputs of the ashtray unit, pointing out the position of the connector clips and light housing.

Needle nose pliers are handy for unlocking the clips that fasten the electrical inputs to the unit. I had the most difficult time removing the light due to the fact that I was overcomplicating the removal. The light plug has two flat sides and two rounded sides. Simply grasp the light plug on the flat sides with the needle nose pliers and rotate the plug toward one of the flat sides. Once everything is unplugged, you'll start the removal of the back part of the console.

First, remove the pass through to the trunk (called the "storage compartment" in the shop manual). It isn't actually attached, so grab the handle at the top, pull it forward (as if to open it), then lift the unit up.

Then you need to remove a few odds and ends before unscrewing everything. Remove the mats from the front and rear console compartment (the areas behind the front and rear cup holders). The front compartment has a power outlet. This must be disconnected. To do so, use a flat head screw driver to remove the outlet by prying in the provided pry-slot in the front of the unit. Remove the power plug by pressing the clip (see figure below) and pulling out (this is easy to do with the needle nose pliers).

Figure 2.2: A photograph depicting the electronic inputs of the console power unit, pointing out the position of the connector clip.

By now, you have two screws from the ashtray unit. You have ten more to remove. Starting at the back, there are two that were exposed when the pass through was removed. There are two in the rear console compartment. There is one in the front console compartment. There is one in front of the cup holder. There are two in front of the cup holder that tie the front part of the console to the center spine. There are two that were exposed when the ashtray unit was removed. You should have 12 screws that belong to the console.

You should be able to lift the rear of the console up. Once you are able to maneuver it, you can separate the rear part from the front part by unsnapping them.

Step 3: Remove the Head Unit (aka Center Panel Module)

The front is secured by two screws at the base. Remove both of the screws.

There is one bolt in the side of the unit. In order to get to it, you must reach in behind the dash via the area behind the lower panel that we removed in step one. This is very tricky, as the bolt is hidden from view behind a support member. I had to feel around to find it. The photo below should help you find it easier. The bolt needs a 12 mm socket. Be careful removing this bolt, as the support member it is behind has sharp edges and cut my hand several times.

Figure 3.1: A photograph depicting the side of the head unit module, pointing out the position of the bolt hole and sliding track.

Once the bolt is out, pull the head unit out. This is VERY difficult, as the clips are well attached. It almost feels like the face plate is going to break, but the clips will let go. Once this is out, it's time to remove the connectors.

Figure 3.1: A photograph depicting the back of the head unit module, pointing out the position of the various electric inputs and antenna input.

There are three electric inputs that need to be disconnected (and the antenna input, which has probably already fallen out at this point). The easiest one to get to at this point is the one on the bottom that sends signals to and from the climate control. I had to lay the front see all the way back and lay on it upside down to have good access to the plug. Using the needle nose pliers, I pushed the clip and slid the connector out. Then, pull the head unit further out. Again, using the pliers, remove the top plug. The third, and final, plug doesn't clip in, so it should slide out (if it hasn't already). If the antenna plug still needs to be removed, remove it now.

The wires for the plugs to the head unit are taped to other wires. In order to make installation easier, I suggest pulling them free from the other wires. This can be done by pulling the wires until the tape gives way.

Step 4: Remove the Center Ventilator Grill

The vent grill is attached by two screws on the bottom and four clips in the back. Unscrew the two screws and pull the grill forward until the clips pop loose.

Step 5: Remove the Navigation Panel

The navigation panel is attached by several clips. Simply grab the front and lift up until the clips pop loose.

Completion

Completion Notes

You've now gained access to the area under the navigation panel. Upon finishing, you should have sixteen screws (two for the ashtray unit, ten for the console, two for the head unit, and two for the vent grill) and one bolt (attaches to the side of the head unit), assuming I counted correctly. The miscellaneous parts you need to account for (other than screws mentioned before) are: the lower panel, the shift boot, the shift knob, the ashtray, the lighter, the ashtray unit, both of the console compartment mats, the console power outlet, the pass through unit, the front console unit, the rear console unit, the head unit, the vent grill, and the navigation panel.

Obviously, to put everything back, read this in reverse...

Erratta

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