Hello all,

I'd like to replace the tape player in my 1999 Octavia.

It's a Grundig MS 201.

I haven't been able to discover how to remove it having searched the web.

Could someone please give me instructions on how to remove it?

TIA.

guh.

I think that's an aftermarket replacement unit. If so, then even we will struggle, unless someone happens to have done one.

That's the factory fit piece of tat in pre-facelift cars.

Are there any slots or holes near to the sides?

Can you take a photo?

Just to be explicit; the Grundig MS 201 is the original tape deck that was sold with the car.

It has four holes in the front that I think are used to lever out the unit.

Halfords have an audio removal tool for Vauxhall units that I think will do the trick:

Audio Release Tool for Vauxhall from Halfords Price £3.99

(NB: The Halfords search engine is carp!)

If it has 4 small holes these will be a fairly standard tool. The ones on your link seem a bit wider spaced but Halfords or any car audio shop will have something suitable.

It can make life easier if you also remove the glove box as that lets you get behind the stereo as well to guide it in and out.

In particular , you may find that the cables get in the way when refitting the new stereo , so you'll need to pull them down as it slides in.

Spot the newbie...

You can remove the glove box?

Next Q: How do you do that then, or is that in the Skoda manual?

It's not a unit I'm familiar with, hence the assumption it was aftermarket.

As for removing the glovebox, I think Haynes actually tell you how to do it clearly!

Open the glovebox and there's 4 screws just inside - one at either side and two by the lock mechanism.

There's three more on the bottom edge , just under the door.

As you lift it out , don't forget the cable that's attached to the interior light which just unclips

Thanks for the contributions all...

I went to Halfords yesterday and purchased the following universal tool (allegedly) for £4.29.

It was the only thing that looked remotely capable of doing the job so I had no choice.

Anyway, I gave it a go...

And with a little effort (whilst not forcing the issue...)

Hey presto!

I didn't take photo's of the wiring looms as they are straightforward.

The replacement unit is to be a Kenwood KDC-W5541U CD player. It is supplied with a wiring converter to take the loom from the car such that it fits the connector at the rear of the unit. No probs.

However, the same cannot be said for the aerial connector.

I now need to get a converter so that this...

Will hook up to this...

I'm hoping that someone can give me a part number so I don't have to try and explain it to someone like myself.

TIA,

guh.

I now need to get a converter so that this...

Will hook up to this...

I'm hoping that someone can give me a part number so I don't have to try and explain it to someone like myself.

TIA,

guh.

It's not a connect you need, but a booster (the amplifier is integral on the OEM HU, but your new one will need a separate one). Can't give part numbers off-hand, but a search along those lines should sort you out!

Cheers ap0gee.

Though I have to admit, the whooshing sound that went over my head having read your response was deafening.

Is the stuff on this page likely to be required? If so, could you point out which one?

Antenna Aerial Adaptors

Ta very much,

guh.

Cheers ap0gee.

Though I have to admit, the whooshing sound that went over my head having read your response was deafening.

Is the stuff on this page likely to be required? If so, could you point out which one?

Antenna Aerial Adaptors

Ta very much,

guh.

Me again...

I returned to Halfords last night and purchased this...

It did the trick as far as connecting the antenna.

I have now swapped the units but will have to remove the glove box in order to seat the unit properly. With the additional wiring it sits proud of the fascia by about an inch.

Thanks to you all for your suggestions.

You may find that the head unit still will not fit fully flush even when you've taken out the glovebox and routed the wires to one side because the new head unit might be slightly longer than the factory fit unit.

On mine there was a moulded plastic bracket in front of the windscreen air ducting which the old head unit located in (presumably to stop the back-end of the head unit from moving up and down). I had to cut the bracket away to get the clearance at the rear of the new head unit using a hacksaw blade and going from the opening at the side where the glovebox was removed. Took about 10 minutes in total and the new head unit popped straight in. As long as you take your time (fortunately there weren't many cables there to snag the hacksaw blade on) you should be ok.

You may find that the head unit still will not fit fully flush even when you've taken out the glovebox and routed the wires to one side because the new head unit might be slightly longer than the factory fit unit.

On mine there was a moulded plastic bracket in front of the windscreen air ducting which the old head unit located in (presumably to stop the back-end of the head unit from moving up and down). I had to cut the bracket away to get the clearance at the rear of the new head unit using a hacksaw blade and going from the opening at the side where the glovebox was removed. Took about 10 minutes in total and the new head unit popped straight in. As long as you take your time (fortunately there weren't many cables there to snag the hacksaw blade on) you should be ok.

Thanks for the heads up.

Note to self: record dimensions of old and new HUs. (If anything the new unit is slightly narrower, height seems OK but I haven't compared the depth.)