Hi all... My problem is this... (1995 E-34 V-8 auto)
I've just installed a Sirius satelite radio and it seems to work fine. In the Toronto area there are lots of FM stations so this means there is not a "quiet" frequency on the radio for me to use. Any channel that does not seem to have station is very noisey with static and spill over from other stations as soon as I've travelled a short distance
I'd like to install a more direct link between the Sirius and my radio (Stock BMW Pioneer 4 tape player etc) and I think a "FM direct" device which lets the Sirius tap into the radio's antenna would do the trick. (there is a kit available)
My problem is...how do I get the *#%?* radio out of the dash so I can get at the antenna connection.
It seems that the correct "allen key" to loosen the screws under the little tabs to the left and right of the radio comes out covered in brass dust, and any other size doesn't even come close to fitting.

The antenna for my car is in the rear window...yes? Is there another location I could get at the antenna connection?

Am I missing a trick to get the radio out of the dash?

Would I get lucky a crazy glue a allen key into the stripped screw and budge it that way?

( My radio will go as low as 87.7 and it seems quiet there...but the Sirius will only go as low as 88.1....any thoughts in this direction?)

Thanks Dan
bigdtoronto@hotmail.com

You need a VERY small allen or VERY small jewelers screwdriver...if you don't have the pentagon shaped BMW radio tool.

The screws DO NOT come out...they just retract wings on each side of the radio. You turn the screws COUNTER CLOCKWISE to retract the wings...and clockwise to secure the radio in the dash.

That's all that is holding the radio in the dash. Be careful...as you have found out...the screws are brass (and soft)...you don't want to wear them down to the point that you cant' get any grip.

I'm sure doing a search will give you the exact allen size or torx size. Have you checked Bruno's site (e34.net)? I'm sure he has something....wait....

Don Gale has something on his site...it is the instructions for removing the OBC...but the first step is removing the radio: http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_36.htm

I was wondering if it was some other type of screw head.

Pentagon??? Hmmm???? Will a torx fit it?

Thanks again

Dan

A flathead will do the trick too. That is how I got mine out.

A torx has always done the trick for me...

Will a torx fit it?

Thanks again

Dan

If you click the link in my previous post (the link to Don Gales website)...he gives the size Torx screwdriver you can use. :)