Rear Deck Panel Removal

[James Here]

Has anyone successfully removed and reinstalled the rear deck panel? I am talking about the large plastic piece in between the rear window and rear seat... that houses the third brake light and rear speakers.

As the "S" and "XRS" owners (with factory installed spoiler) know, there is no actual third brake light inside the car. Well, the dummy filler plate in place of the third brake light has popped loose and moves around/makes noise. How annoying...

...any help/tips on removal of this rear deck are appreciated.

Thanks.

[nielsenj]

I just did it last week.

I started by removing the pillars, unfasten the clips and you can pull it up and out from beside the deck.

I then losened the lower black plastic panel to the right and left of the rear seats (the lower plastic panel surrounding the opening).

This allowed me to remove the upper black panel pieces to the right and left of the rear seats.

Once these were off i made sure i moved the seat belt out of the chanel in the panel and proceeded to unclip the back panel.

There are two clips (from my recollection) in the center of the deck, i found prying up on the front edge slowly and gently made them come out.

Once it's uncliped the deck comes forward/up and out fairly easily.

Would show pics but it was a last minute thing, took 5 mins or so and i didn't take any.

Regards,
J

[James Here]

I thank you!!

[scottewalker]

by any chance did you take pictures? I want to disconnect the 3rd brake light becasue I installed a spoiler.

[Pie]

Originally Posted by nielsenj

I just did it last week.

I started by removing the pillars, unfasten the clips and you can pull it up and out from beside the deck.

I then losened the lower black plastic panel to the right and left of the rear seats (the lower plastic panel surrounding the opening).

This allowed me to remove the upper black panel pieces to the right and left of the rear seats.

Once these were off i made sure i moved the seat belt out of the chanel in the panel and proceeded to unclip the back panel.

There are two clips (from my recollection) in the center of the deck, i found prying up on the front edge slowly and gently made them come out.

Once it's uncliped the deck comes forward/up and out fairly easily.

Would show pics but it was a last minute thing, took 5 mins or so and i didn't take any.

Regards,
J

Yup, gotta start with the pillars. I just pulled on the parts and everything came apart

[scottewalker]

Pie,

Did you start with pillar that has the SRS Airbag on it (beside the rear glass)? I have a hard time starting there thinking I might mess up the airbag system.

[Pie]

Originally Posted by scottewalker

Pie,

Did you start with pillar that has the SRS Airbag on it (beside the rear glass)? I have a hard time starting there thinking I might mess up the airbag system.

Actually, I think it's easiest to start with the corner panel that is right behind the seat first. Remove the weather stripping a bit so you can see how it connects. You'll need to loosen up the panel below it, but not take it out. The corner panel connects to the pillar, so you have to take this one out first.

Then you can take the pillar cover out. You pull up and toward the door.

[ecnal]

Whenever I pull out plastic that has an airbag behind it, I ALWAYS disconnect the battery. You don't want that launching in your face, as small as the chances are that it would. Just go carefully and gently.

[joeylgarcia]

when you disconnect the battery, does it affect the radio presets or the readouts on the instrument panel?

[lilaznviper]

i think removing the battery will reset the clock and radio settings