How to Install a Radio in a 2001 Maxima

The Nissan Maxima, which became its own model in 1982, was Nissans first legitimate attempt at a mid-sized sports sedan. The Maximas fourth generation 1989 through 1994 became the defining generation for the vehicle. Onward from the fourth generation, the Maxima continued growing more desirable and feature-packed. The 2001 Maxima came standard with an AM-FM stereo with a cassette player and had an optional CD player available. Installing a new radio in the 2001 Maxima requires removing two trim panels on the dashboard to access the radio.

Instructions

Set the parking brake and insert the key into the Maximas ignition. Turn the Maximas ignition to the Run position and shift the gear shifter to the 1 position. Turn the ignition to the Off position.

Wrap the metal blade part of a flat-head screwdriver with a thin layer of duct tape to protect the vehicle's interior from damage.

Pry around the perimeter of the center vent panel the panel housing the two center air vents with a flat-head screwdriver to disengage the panel's retaining clips. Pull the vent panel off the dashboard and set it in a secure area.

Find the two screws securing the top of the radio bracket to the dash below where the vent panel was. Remove these screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

Open the ashtray and pull the ashtray assembly from the dashboard, exposing one screw behind it. Remove this screw with a Phillips screwdriver.

Remove the gear shifter bezel the trim surrounding the gear shifter by prying around its perimeter with a flat-head screwdriver to disengage its retaining clips. Pull the gear shifter upward and disconnect the cigarette lighter wiring harness. If your Maxima has a manual transmission, there is no need to remove the shifter boot, just pull the bezel up far enough to access the two screws behind it.

Remove the two screws on the lower part of the radio bracket, located behind where the gear shifter bezel was.

Grab the entire radio and climate-control panel assembly and pull it toward the rear of the Maxima to disengage its retaining clips. Slide the radio and climate-control panel assembly from the dashboard until you can access the wiring on the rear of the radio.

Press and hold the unlock button on each of the wiring harnesses on the rear of the radio and pull each harness from the rear of the radio the number of harnesses depends on the options on your Maxima. Remove the eight radio-to-bracket screws and remove the radio.

Slide a new radio into the bracket, lining up the screw holes in the radio with those in the bracket. Tighten the eight radio-to-bracket screws. Line up the clips on the rear of the radio and climate-control panel assembly with the slots in the dashboard. Press the radio and climate-control panel assembly into the dashboard until the clips snap into place.

Tighten the four radio and climate-control panel assembly screws, two upper and two lower.

Plug the wiring harness into the rear of the cigarette lighter and guide the gear shifter bezel around the gear shifter. Press the gear shifter downward to engage its retaining clips and tighten the screw in the ashtray cavity. Reinsert the ashtray into the gear shifter bezel and close the ashtray.

Position the center vent panel back into place above the radio, lining up the clips on the rear of the panel with the slots in the dashboard. Press the center vent panel toward the dashboard until the retaining clips snap into place.

Shift the gear shifter to its Park position. Remove the key from the ignition.