98Firebird
Well-known member
Hello all, here is a DIY for re-routing the transmitter antenna wire which should help with transmitter reception.
First we'll be removing this small dash panel beside the glove compartment:
Simply take this single t25 screw out and pull the panel straight out:
Panel Removed
Next we'll move on to removal of the glove box assembly by removing the 3 circled screws:
Once those screws are out we move on to these 3 screws:
After all the screws are out, pull the top portion of the glove box down and out (you may have to remove a hose and/or light connector from the top portion of the glove box before totally removing)
Then simply pull the glove box assembly all the way out:
Next we'll start with removing the radio trim. I always start with a plastic trim tool at the point shown then work my way down the right side. After that I go back up to the top portion and pry it loose, then finally pry the left side loose from top to bottom and then the trim piece pulls out fairly easily:
Once you have the radio trim out we'll be removing the highlighted screws:
Once these 2 screws are out, carefully pull the trim panel they were holding straight back to avoid breaking the panel. This will reveal the area where the antenna will be routed through. I highlighted roughly where we'll be passing the antenna wire through:
Now to go find that pesky antenna wire behind where we removed the glove box. There will be a large round metal pipe directly behind where the glove box was, the wire will be on this support with 2 pieces of fabric tape holding it in place:
At this point you should have something like this:
Now just snip this zip tie off to give the wire enough room to route it how we need to:
Finally we'll route the wire by the upper vent as shown and towards the windshield. Make sure to avoid the holes circled in red as they are where the trim panel clips in. Apply fabric tape of some sort in the areas in yellow, and you're all set!
As with most things install is reverse of removal. I take no credit for the actual repair as MB figured out the new routing idea. I just broke the process down so people who haven't had
hundreds of these dashes out will be able to re route the antenna wire fairly easily. Never made a DIY before so definitely let me know if there any improvements to be made. Thanks!
First we'll be removing this small dash panel beside the glove compartment:
Simply take this single t25 screw out and pull the panel straight out:
Panel Removed
Next we'll move on to removal of the glove box assembly by removing the 3 circled screws:
Once those screws are out we move on to these 3 screws:
After all the screws are out, pull the top portion of the glove box down and out (you may have to remove a hose and/or light connector from the top portion of the glove box before totally removing)
Then simply pull the glove box assembly all the way out:
Next we'll start with removing the radio trim. I always start with a plastic trim tool at the point shown then work my way down the right side. After that I go back up to the top portion and pry it loose, then finally pry the left side loose from top to bottom and then the trim piece pulls out fairly easily:
Once you have the radio trim out we'll be removing the highlighted screws:
Once these 2 screws are out, carefully pull the trim panel they were holding straight back to avoid breaking the panel. This will reveal the area where the antenna will be routed through. I highlighted roughly where we'll be passing the antenna wire through:
Now to go find that pesky antenna wire behind where we removed the glove box. There will be a large round metal pipe directly behind where the glove box was, the wire will be on this support with 2 pieces of fabric tape holding it in place:
At this point you should have something like this:
Now just snip this zip tie off to give the wire enough room to route it how we need to:
Finally we'll route the wire by the upper vent as shown and towards the windshield. Make sure to avoid the holes circled in red as they are where the trim panel clips in. Apply fabric tape of some sort in the areas in yellow, and you're all set!
As with most things install is reverse of removal. I take no credit for the actual repair as MB figured out the new routing idea. I just broke the process down so people who haven't had
hundreds of these dashes out will be able to re route the antenna wire fairly easily. Never made a DIY before so definitely let me know if there any improvements to be made. Thanks!
Last edited: