Removing the Alpine head unit is super easy, but if you don’t have any experience with that, you may think of it as rocket science. Well, that’s not the truth!
The whole removal process is effortless, and anyone can do that without any professional’s help. All you need to know is the right kind of tricks! And that’s what this article is all about!
Here We will tell you how to remove the Alpine head unit with keys and without keys. In this way, you’ll always have a way to take out your audio system.
So without wasting much time, let’s get started.
4 Steps To Remove Alpine Head Unit with Keys
First, we will discuss the process of removing Alpine car stereo with keys. And We will tell you how to do it without keys.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Step One : Open the Hood
To remove the Alpine head unit, you need to open the hood first. And then, take a socket wrench to slacken off the negative terminal on the battery.
Step Two : Take out the Faceplate
When you are done with loosening the negative terminal, it is time to take off the faceplate. This faceplate is located in the corner of your Alpine head unit. All you have to do is to release the faceplate button, and it will come off.
Step Three : Remove the Bezel
After taking out the faceplate, now it is time for you to loosen the bezel and remove it. Take a flat screwdriver and try to lever open the whole thing off of your stereo. You will see that there are multiple plastic tabs are used to keep the bezel in place.
To finish the task easily, you can start from one place and gradually make your way to remove the frame.
Final Step : Use the Keys
Now, take your keys that came with the Alpine head unit; you will need them for this step. You will see slots on the stereo sides, and you have to insert your keys there.
After inserting the keys, you need to push them outwards. In this way, you will release the side clips used to keep the stereo secure.
When the stereo is entirely unbolted, you can easily slide the stereo out from the dashboard. And that’s how you remove Alpine car stereo with keys.
3 Steps To Remove Alpine Car Stereos without Keys
The removal keys always come with the package. But if you have lost them, you can still uninstall your Alpine Head Unit. Let us tell you how.
Step One : Get Rid of the Faceplate
Firstly, remove the faceplate by pressing the release button.
Step Two : Loosen the Plastic Bezel
Now, take a flathead screwdriver and pry up the plastic bezel. And when it is completely loose, take it off.
Step Three : Use your Alternative Key
As you have lost the factory keys, you need to find an alternative that will work like them. And there are some effective substitutes, to be honest.
Some people use two small and thin knives and slide them into the keyhole. But if you are not cautious enough, it can cause you some accidents.
You can also take two pieces of wires to insert into the keyhole and reach the clips. All you have to do is insert the pieces of wires into the keyholes simultaneously and when you can feel the clips, push the wires away from each other.
Another effective method of removing Alpine head unit without keys is to use a coat hanger. To utilize a coat hanger, you need to cut into 8-inch lengths. After that, you have to make two U shapes that fit into the keyholes. And then, you can insert them into the hole and press the U-shape coat hanger tools outwards.
If it works, you will hear a click, and that’s how you will know that you can take out the stereo now. Well, hopefully, now you have got the idea on how to remove alpine stereo without keys.
Should I Disconnect The Battery Before Taking Out the Stereo?
Yes, before your star works on your car stereo, you first need to disconnect the battery. The wiring is located under the hood of your car, so make sure you have taken it out before installing your Alpine head unit.
It is pretty dangerous to work on electrical devices when they are connected to a power source. So if you don’t want to get electrocuted, you should always disconnect the battery and start working on the sound system.
What Can I Do after Losing My Factory Keys?
Sometimes, we lose our keys as they don’t seem important when we have just started using the stereos. But when it comes to replacements, we understand how crucial it was!
Though you can uninstall your audio system without keys, that’s just too much work! You need to find an efficient substitute which can be a little hectic when you are in a hurry.
To solve this issue, you can always reach out to the manufacturer to get a spare set of keys. Moreover, aftermarket keys are also available, which will make your task easier.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, now you have learned how to remove Alpine head unit with keys and without keys. As I have detailed every step in detail, now you can complete the whole process by yourself without any trouble. It doesn’t matter if you have the keys or not, nothing can stop you from replacing the head unit, and that’s a relief!
Related Guide for Alpine Users:
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