Saturday, July 7, 2007

Hyundai Sonata Stereo Removal




The stereo system in my Hyundai Sonata doesn't have an audio in port, which is quite absurd. You'd think car manufacturers would add such a simple and convenient feture. Well, I disassembled my stereo in order to determine how easy it would be to add this functionality myself.

After some searching I found some Sonata stereo removal instructions (pdf) which really helped. The hardest part was step 3 - getting the trim panel removed. I didn't want to damage it, so I tried prying it off slowly with no luck. It really requires quite a bit of force to get off.

There are white clips on the panels that I removed, which I discovered come off really easily. I had four of the clips fall off inside the car when I removed the panels. They fell behind the panels, so I could not easily retrieve them. Now there's probably going to be a rattling when I drive, and the panels will not be as fixed. This is going to bother me greatly.

There's two blocks of wires and one antenna cable going into the stereo head unit. I disassembled the unit a bit but didn't find anything useful. I put everything back together and besides the fallen clips that I mentioned above, everything is back to normal.

Update: So I finally did it!
This is what it looks like with my iPhone or my Droid.

13 comments:

Kevin Chiu said...

How did I know this was going to happen? (tabs falling off)

Dan Stangel said...

Thank you for this awesome post! I am about to try this on my '07 Sonata, and I'll be careful with those clips

Citizen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dave said...

I think the smaller connector may be for the XM radio hookup to an external XM radio receiver behind the dash, as this is not on the 2006 radio. If so, then one of those connector wires may be a line level input to the radio from the XM receiver. Did any of the wires on the smaller connector have 'shielding' on them?

Unknown said...

The link to the PDF for removal instructions is now dead.

Anonymous said...

I have taken that trim panel off before you really need one of these to prevent damaging the clips: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-z2dCg4xQmmH/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?i=042DM4022
Does anyone have a copy of the PDF with removal instructions. I want to try to investigate using the XM radio connector as Dave suggested. I'll post my results.

Junk Drummer said...

Strange, My 2008 Sonata has a AUX audio input jack below the ashtray.

Unknown said...

I am trying to install an auxillary audio adapter that comes with the harness and audio output wire. one end of the harness goes into the back of the radio and the other end goes into the adapter. then the ipod connects to the adapter using a separate audio wire that comes with the adapter. I was wondering where to keep the adapter , in the radio compartment, or in the glove box. Also, how to bring the audio wire from the adapter to the console or the glove. This is my first experience in doing anything like this. I have no idea how to open glove box and other stuff in the car. please help .

BrianCur said...

Did you pry down or out on the trim to get it out? Like you, I've removed the screws but the trim is just not coming off.

Fletch said...

The link is now at http://documents.victorytechnologies.com//documents/product/11649.pdf

Andy Hou said...

Thanks Fletch! I've updated the link.

Unknown said...

I think I'm going to try a wired FM Modulator cause I know dealing the wireless transmitters suck a##

J Levon said...

Quick fix for an XM capable Sonata without Aux-In (07-08 I believe)... The small harness behind the HU is the XM line w 4 wires; red & black (right), yellow & green (left). Buy a male to female 1/8" stereo cable ($9 @ radio shack), it contains 3 wires; black (left) red (right) and silver (common?). Cut and splice corresponding wires (common can go right or left) and the 'XM preview' is now a line level aux input. If you actually use the XM just add a switch (google xm aux splice, someone has done it)