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Yes, I'm installing the original Bose CDM under the dash. Not much room under there. Has anyone done this before? Our FSM doesn't go into details on how to install the radio receiver box (CDM). It shows how the unit sits in there, but that's about it. I watched Bob's video on how to remove it but there isn't much help installing it. Any help out there?
I restored my "92" Bose delco system..One of the previous owners put in some cheap *** 80 dollar kenwood. Bought a recondicationed Bose radio and receiver off Ebay and had the 4 speaker amps restored.. Sounds awesome. Now to remove the receiver under the knee plate on the passinger side. It was tough but heres what i did.
1-Remove the side panel around the fuse box.
2- take glove box cover off.
3- If your a big guy this part is hard, upside down go head first underneath and take out 3 screws for the knee plate and light plug.
4- while underneath remove all the connectors on the plastic housed holding the receiver.and move to the side.
5- take a break!
6- Now go to the side and try to pull apart the molding parts to remove the radio antenna .
7- go back underneath and remove 2 nuts on the sides holding in the receiver.
8- and this is what I did, Pull apart the dash and knee pad bracket wedge a stick in to hole open and pull out the receiver,
9- reverse everything to finish.
Pre 1992 the receiver was behind the drivers seat!!! Dumb setup but i get it done.
Good Luck!
I'm done it multiple times, it's only really bad the first time. Best way for me was working from the door opening, removing the dashboard end plate, I placed a large mirror on the floor and lots of lighting. Some videos show the CDM removed or installed with the wire connectors under it untouched but I found it necessary to disconnect everything. I have also separated the wires from the plastic tray. I install the antenna before I slide the CDM to it's place, then the other connectors.
Great guys. My plan seems to be working for the reinstall. Using some of your tips I plugged all the connectors into the CDM. I previously removed the glove box and vent just under the glove box which allowed me to see where the alignment pin went. I also removed the 2 fuse boxes that attached to the plastic plate under the CDM and took that plate out. I was able to get the studs on the side of the CDM into the brackets that supports it all and also get the alignment pin in place. After I recover from the aches and pains from getting in and under the dash, I hope to reinstall the 2 fuse boxes and flasher back onto the plate and then install it onto the studs on the CDM. I hope it won't be too bad getting the tab on the plate into the slot. Wish me luck. Day I'm stiff.
I'm done it multiple times, it's only really bad the first time. Best way for me was working from the door opening, removing the dashboard end plate, I placed a large mirror on the floor and lots of lighting. Some videos show the CDM removed or installed with the wire connectors under it untouched but I found it necessary to disconnect everything. I have also separated the wires from the plastic tray. I install the antenna before I slide the CDM to it's place, then the other connectors.
Thank you for the reply. I, too, disconnected all the big wiring harnesses that go under the plate. This really made things easier. Unfortunately, the previous owners were in there and left a lot of fasteners off. What is really hard to find is a shouldered nut that goes on the side of the CDM. Of all the projects I've done on this Vette, this is the hardest one I've gone after. I wish I had the newer model where the CDM is located in the storage pocket in the back.
Thats great too hear! When I replaced everything. I turned on the stereo,CD player and cassette worked but no radio. The antenna came out so i had to tear it down again to plug it back in! I put tape over it this time lol
When I had my CDM and head unit refurbished, I had a jack put in so I can use my iPhone for music. When you plug in the jack it disables the AM/FM. Thanks for the antenna tip. I'll recheck mine and use the tape idea of yours. Thanks
Functionally the shouldered nut can of course be replaced with a std washer and nut. Though I'd glue them together, had great difficulties either getting them on or stay on. In the end fastest for me was installing them onto the CDM and then try to make them stay while I slide the CDM. And yes, the antenna cable does have tendency to disconnect, had actively forgotten about that. I think it's supposed to have a screw held holder.
When you remove the electrical connectors, the clips for the connectors will stay on the plastic plate....take a picture of how they are oriented, when the plate is off, remove the clips from the plastic plate and put them on the connectors as it is MUCH EASIER to push the clip with the connectors back on than try to slide the connectors back onto the clips with the plate uninstalled.. Trust me, did this last week. It is also good to check for airbag wiring for being routed correctly, it has a tendency to fall down under the carpet where a passenger would put their feet putting wear on the connection which can cause and airbag light. Be careful antenna connect - is is VERY delicate and replacing the antenna line is a stupid amount of work. If I can ask a favor, there will be four Bose drain lines..they look like speaker wire on the CDM connectors, one will likely have two bose drains spliced into one connector, I had one loose and hope I connected it back to the correct terminal as the FSM did not specify, a picture of thos 3 CDM connectors and Bose drains would be appreciated!
Last edited by corvette95; Aug 8, 2020 at 11:54 AM.
Three of the CDM connectors have a wire with plastic shield on it...look like speaker wire ...these are called the Bose drains. One connector should have two drains tied together , I need to know which is the correct connector with two drains to one terminal.
Thats great too hear! When I replaced everything. I turned on the stereo,CD player and cassette worked but no radio. The antenna came out so i had to tear it down again to plug it back in! I put tape over it this time lol
You can take the ac vent off with 2 screws and this allows you to see the guide pin and the antenna connection. With the fuse panel cover off you can reach in and plug the antenna in.
Ok, a few tips for installing the CDM (radio receiver box):
Bob's (from Factory Car Stereo Repair) video was right when he said it is much harder installing the CDM than taking it out. But with patience and a little help from my son, I got it back in they way it should be installed with all the correct hardware.
Just a few tips that made it easier for me to work: 1) remove the passenger seat. 2) disconnect all those wiring bundles under the CDM plate. 3) remove the ac vent just under the glove box and this allows you to see the guide pin slide into the support hole. It also allows you to check that the antenna is still connected. 4) slide the CDM guide pin in place while also sliding the support studs on the side of the CDM into the upper support tabs. now insert the wiring connectors into the CDM. 5) the plate has a slot in it on the forward end of the plate that can slide on the support tab. slide it towards the front of the car and align the 2 support tabs on the plate to the studs on the CDM and slide the plate to engage the slots on the plate. Now put the nuts on the studs and tighten. 5) reconnect all the wiring bundles and dress them in position and put the wire supports back into the holes in the plate.
The kick panel or knee bolster panel is held in place with screws that maybe hidden in the carpeting.
BTW, my radio is not working very well. The left forward speaker quit and the volume has to be turned up very high to hear the radio at all. And the sound quality is horrible. Now if I could just find a good after market radio that doesn't require cutting brackets in the dash.........Oh well, my exhaust sounds great.
This is a great thread, and has already been a big help to me as I'm re-installing the CDM in my '91. Removal was fairly easy...when I took off the bottom panel, it just kind of fell out....nothing was hooked up. It was basically being held in by the plugs (thanks previous owner). So now that I'm re-installing, I didn't have a great idea what I was looking at. Here's a question: Can anyone tell me the name or part number of the retaining clips that push into the bottom of the plastic panel, and hold the wiring harnesses up? There are four of them, and two of mine are stripped and broken. Thanks everyone!
92 installing the CDM
