How to Remove the Navigation System?
3 Answers
First, use a plastic pry tool to remove the panel above the navigation system. If you have a screwdriver, unscrew the screws that secure the navigation system. Hold the car navigation system with your hands and gently pull out the navigation device. There are wiring harnesses at the back; after disconnecting them, you can remove the navigation system.
I really learned my lesson last time when helping a friend remove a car navigation system. You need to prepare tools like plastic pry bars, a screwdriver set, and interior trim clip removers first. The key is finding the right entry point: for most cars, you have to remove the center console panel first by gently prying it open from the edges with a pry bar. Once the panel is off, you can see the screws securing the navigation unit - the number and position vary significantly between models. The toughest part is disconnecting the wiring harness plugs; remember to disconnect the battery negative terminal first, then pinch the connector's clip and slowly wiggle it out. When reinstalling, aligning the clips is the hardest part - once I finished only to find two extra screws left over. Now I always record a video of the screw positions before disassembly; referencing it during reassembly makes things much easier.
The most dreaded part of removing a car navigation unit is breaking the clips. I've used supermarket membership cards as pry tools—they work okay but bend easily. Professional advice is to invest in an interior trim removal toolset; the ones with angled heads provide excellent leverage. You'll need to remove small components like AC knobs and hazard light switches first to expose the screw holes, as some cars hide screws beneath cupholder mats. Pay special attention to label markings when disconnecting wiring harnesses—I use my phone to photograph each wire's position clearly. During reassembly, plug all wires securely before fixing the navigation unit body, otherwise, rattling noises later will drive you crazy. A friend who owns an auto modification shop taught me this trick: manually test all navigation functions before reinstalling the panel to ensure everything works properly.
