How to Remove the CD Player From a 2001 Lincoln LS

In 2000, two Ford subsidiaries, Lincoln and Jaguar, combined forces to create a platform for use by both automakers. Jaguar created the S-type, while Lincoln built the LS. The 2001 Lincoln LS came standard with an AM-FM stereo system, but also had a CD player and premium audio system available. Removing the CD player in this mid-sized, luxury vehicle requires care, as you must remove two trim panels, which can break if you are not careful.

Instructions

Apply a layer of duct tape to the blade end of a flat-head screwdriver to protect your LSs trim.

Pry around the perimeter of the center vent panel -- the panel above the radio housing the center climate-control vent -- with the flat-head screwdriver to disengage the panel-retaining clips. Pull the center vent panel from the dashboard.

Remove the two bolts above the radio, behind where the center vent panel was, with a ratchet and a 10 mm socket.

Disengage the ashtray bezel -- the trim surrounding the ashtray assembly -- retaining clips with the flat-head screwdriver, exposing two screws behind it. Remove these two screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

Pull the ashtray assembly from under the radio and climate control assembly, exposing two bolts behind the ashtray assembly. Remove these two bolts with a ratchet and a 10 mm socket.

Slide the radio and climate-control panel out of the dashboard, just far enough to access the wiring harnesses on the rear of the radio and climate-control panel. Press and hold the unlocking button on each wiring harness and pull each harness from its receptacle. Pull the antenna wire -- the thick, black cable -- from the rear of the radio. Remove the radio and climate-control panel from the dashboard.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the climate-control panel to the radios bracket. Pull the climate-control panel from the radios bracket.

Slide the climate-control panel into the radios bracket, lining up the bolt holes on the panel with those in the bracket. Tighten the four climate-control panels retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

Connect the wiring harnesses to their respective receptacles on the rear of the radio and climate-control panel -- the harnesses have different sizes to prevent incorrect installation.

Insert the radio and climate-control panel into the dashboard and tighten the four retaining bolts with a ratchet and a 10 mm socket.

Reinstall the ashtray assembly into the dashboard and tighten its two retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Position the ashtray bezel in place around the ashtray, lining up the retaining clips on the rear of the bezel with the slots around the ashtray. Press the bezel toward the front of the LS to engage the retaining clips.

Guide the center vent panel into its cavity above the radio, lining up the clips on the rear of the vent panel with the slots in its cavity. Press the center vent panel into its cavity to engage its retaining clips.