Hi Bob!
What do y'all think? How do I remove the trim without damage?
Remove the trim by carefully prying it out, starting at the top.
Probably will be 4 snap-in fasteners; two at the top, two at the
bottom. Removal of the cup holder (does the OB have a cup holder above
the stereo?) may make it easier to get started. From there, 4 or 6
screws hold the stereo brackets in the dash. These brackets will allow
you to mount any DIN compatible stereo, tho you might need to find a
storage tray if your OEM stereo is one of the double height ones, and
you replace it with a single height unit.
By all means open the dead OEM unit up; nothing to lose there! Sounds
to me like the unit isn't able to read the lead-in track on the CD,
and so is spitting it back out. Since the insert/eject is functional,
you probably have a working drive mechanism. I'd suggest using rubbing
alcohol and a Q-tip to clean the lens of the laser diode (will be
obvious once it's apart). Also clean the CD handling mechanism; use a
soft brush and vacuum to remove gross particulate, and a tissue and
alcohol for sticky spots. If you re-lubricate anything, apply white
Lithium-based grease (try RadioShack) sparingly with a toothpick or
similar. Should you find broken belts or idler wheels, it's probably
time to give up, but you may be able to find replacements if you take
the dead parts to a car audio repair shop.
I've never opened one of the newer Subaru stereos (the older ones were
Clarion, FWIW), but usually there is a combination of small screws,
and snap-togeather tabs. Look it over real well before exerting undue
force; usually there will be a spot to insert a flat screwdriver to
"pop" the cover off.
If repairs fail, look on ebay for a 6 CD changer as found in the WRX
and others. It will drop right in to your dash, and is a pretty good
unit. Probably get one for ~$100.
I'd suggest upgrading your speakers before spending much for a
performance head unit; the OEM speakers (at least as found in my WRX,
and in my wifes Forester) are pretty poor. Infinity Kappa speakers
coupled to the OEM changer in my WRX sounded superb. I have an Alpine
MP3 head in it now, but the speakers were the big upgrade as far as
sound quality, not the electronics.
Feel free to contact me directly if you have questions. Good Luck!
ByeBye! S.
Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101