Audio System - Center Panel Module Removal Precaution
09-009/042003-2004 MAZDA6
MODULAR AUDIO SYSTEM - CENTER PANEL MODULE REMOVAL CAUTION
APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2003-2004 Mazda6
DESCRIPTION
The "Modular Audio System" is designed so that audio components can be added or removed as customer requirements change. The system's "Center Panel Module" must be removed for:
1. Audio module reconfiguration
2. Replacement of failed audio components
3. Information display removal/diagnosis
4. To diagnosis/repair some HVAC concerns
In any of the above cases, extreme care must be taken to ensure the center panel module is not damaged or broken during removal or installation. Refer to all the Cautions, Warnings, and Notes below when working with the center panel module.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
CENTER PANEL REMOVAL PROCEDURE
CAUTION:
A printed circuit board is attached directly to the back of the center panel module. The circuit board and/or center panel can be damaged or broken if proper care is not used during removal. During center panel removal, circuit board flexing may cause intermittent erratic displays to appear on the Information Display. Excessive flexing could result in permanent circuit board damage. If the circuit board is unknowingly damaged during removal, new electrical problems could be created such as erratic information display, audio, or HVAC malfunction. Any new problems which arise may only be found after the modular audio system & center panel are reinstalled.
1. Verify customer complaint or module reconfiguration request.
2. Record customer's radio presets and disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Remove Rear Console Panels No. 1 & No. 2 according to the steps below.
a. Remove shift lever knob.
b. For ATX equipped vehicles, put shift lever in "D" range.
c. Pull parking brake lever to full "UP" position.
d. Pull Panel No. 1 (rear panel) straight up with your hands. Use a fiber stick as necessary, but DO NOT use a screwdriver as the panel can be easily damaged.
e. Remove Panel No.2 (front panel).
f. For ATX equipped vehicles, disconnect the two (2) gear selector illumination.
g. Disconnect cigarette lighter connector.
h. Remove the front ashtray illumination.
4. Remove the Glove Compartment according to the steps below.
a. Open glove compartment.
b. Remove damper clip string from right side of glove compartment.
c. Press both sides of the glove compartment inward until it releases from the dash.
d. Hold the glove compartment in a level position (not fully lowered).
NOTE:
DO NOT force the glove compartment loose; the hooks can be easily broken. The glove compartment will not come out if held too low or too high. When held in a level position, the glove compartment will come out easily.
e. Gently pull the glove compartment toward you until the hooks come loose.
5. Through the glove compartment opening, locate, but DO NOT remove the 10mm "hidden bolt". There is a sharp edge there to watch out for so read the "WARNING" below before proceeding.
NOTE:
The hidden bolt secures the audio unit chassis to the dash frame. If the bolt is not removed, the audio unit will not slide out, and damage will occur to the center panel.
WARNING:
^ There is a sharp bracket right where your hand will be in removing this hidden bolt - locate it visually and put tape on it before you put a tool and your hand anywhere near the bolt.
^ Removing or installing the bolt without attaching protective tape to the bracket MAY CAUSE INJURY TO YOUR HAND. Always attach protective tape to the bracket when removing/installing the bolt.
6. Remove the 10 mm bolt through the glove compartment opening.
7. On "Manual A/C" equipped vehicles, remove three (3) climate control unit dials (temperature control, fan switch, & airflow mode) from the center panel.
NOTE:
On "Auto A/C" equipped vehicles, DO NOT attempt to remove the climate control unit dials. They are NOT removable through the front of the panel. If necessary, they can be removed from the rear of the panel as an assembly.
8. Remove left and right control knobs by pulling them off then remove two (2) screws from the temperature control & airflow mode dial openings on "Manual A/C" equipped vehicles.
9. Remove the final two (2) lower center panel screws.
NOTE:
DO NOT attempt the oval shaped plug at the bottom of the center panel. There is no mounting screw under the plug. The center panel will be damaged if you attempt to remove this plug.
CAUTION:
^ DO NOT attempt to remove the center panel module until you are sure that all screws/bolt have been removed. The circuit board attached to the back of the center panel can be damaged at this stage of removal.
^ The circuit board is mounted to the center section of the center panel and may flex when the panel is pulled off. Try to minimize the amount of flexing to the center panel and circuit board.
^ A 16 pin Information Display connector is located on the right edge of the circuit board. Use care not to damage the connector during removal.
10. Using a fiber stick, GENTLY begin loosening the center panel module from the upper edges. Avoid prying the center section of the panel. DO NOT use a screwdriver to pry the edges of the panel.
11. Gently grasp the center panel and move it outward until enough room is available to insert your hand. When loose, gently pull the center panel toward you, then disengage the clips from the dash and remove the panel.
12. Disconnect all wire harness connectors from the back of the modular audio components and climate control unit.
13. Disconnect the antenna feeder.
CAUTION:
Once the center panel has been removed, place it face down on a soft surface to avoid scratching or damaging the panel surface before performing module reconfiguration or other repairs.
INSPECTING THE "BETWEEN MODULE" CONNECTOR PINS
Always check the condition of the connection pins between the modules before replacing components. This is especially important if a failure results from a "BUS Line Communication" DTC which may be caused by a poor connection between two modules. This type of connector is found on the cassette & Mini-Disc (MD) modules, as well as the top of the Base unit where a CD player attaches.
MODULAR AUDIO SYSTEM "BASE UNIT" NOTES
^ Once the modules have been added to the Base unit, care must be taken when mounting the Base unit onto the back of the center panel to prevent bent electrical pins or circuit board damage.
^ The Base unit electrical pins must slide smoothly into the circuit board connectors. If the Base unit installation is forced or mounted at an incorrect angle, the pins could be bent and may cause an audio malfunction.
CENTER PANEL INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
Once the module reconfiguration or other repairs are completed, and the Base unit (with attached modules) are properly mounted to the center panel module, reinstall in the reverse order of Steps 1 - 13 of the "Center Panel "Removal Procedures" after reading the Cautions, Warnings, and Notes below.
CAUTION:
Make certain that the wiring harness and antenna feeder are not caught between the center panel and dash. If the harness or the antenna feeder is caught between the center panel and dash, it may cause a malfunction.
REAR CONSOLE PANEL NO. 2 (FRONT PANEL) INSTALLATION NOTE (MTX equipped vehicles only):
When reinstalling Panel No. 2 (front panel) on MTX equipped vehicles, be aware that the cigarette lighter connector will interfere with the shift linkage and you will not be able to install the panel without damaging either the Center Panel, cigarette lighter, or the panel itself. Follow the steps below to install the panel:
1. Before connecting the cigarette light connector, use a small screwdriver to gently hold the plastic tab out.
2. With the plastic tab held out, press the cigarette lighter down. This will allow extra room for panel installation.
3. Connect cigarette light connector.
4. Install front ashtray illumination bulb.
5. Install Panel No. 2 (front panel).
6. Press the cigarette lighter down into it's original position.
7. Install Panel No. 1 (rear panel).
8. Install shift lever knob.
NOTE:
On ATX and MTX equipped vehicles, turn the shift lever knob a maximum of thirteen (13) complete turns. Additional turns may crack the inner plastic insulation inside the shift knob.