I removed my OEM radio from the dash earlier tonight to replace a cord on my Soloisto unit. I pushed the radio back in, only to learn I hooked something up wrong and needed the radio back out. I got the tool in the right hole, but no matter how hard I push, cannot get the tool to latch in the left hole. What gives?

Thanks.

 

you have them facing opposite ways, correct? Notches facing each other I think.

 

Yes I do. One just seems jammed. So now I have one go in and another stuck in that I can't release unless I get the unit out.

 

There is a right and left on those tools, you may have it upside down on the wrong side. Good luck with that.

 

Not exactly, the keys are identical, they are used with the notches facing inward.

 

Maybe so but my tools have a left and right and top marked clearly on them. I've never had a problem and have had it out at least 6 times.

 

My stock radio is removed, I can look at it tonight to see if I can see an alternative way of releasing it.

 

They do have to go in the with the correct side up naturally.
One set of mine have no markings and the other set are stamped on both sides. One side says UP RH SIDE the other side says UP LH SIDE.
I have had my radios in and out too many times to count and I ad no trouble like you.
I tried without forcing it to put a key in the wrong side but it would not go in. This was on one of my OEM radios that is not in use naturally. Maybe it could be forced in and wedge though.

 

Right, as I said, the one on the right side is in as it should be--the one on the left will not go all the way in and engage the latch. I have two sets of these and have tried all remaining keys in the appropriate orientation, but it just won't budge, so I'm looking for alternate way to get this thing out.

 

Curious, can you even get the right hand key/tool off now? Or do you have to remove the radio to remove a tool once they lock in?

 

That's the trouble. I can't get the right key out without removing the unit.

 

You have to remove the unit to release the tools.
You do so by pressing in on the spring loaded latches to remove the tension.
With the unit still in the slot, you cannot reach the latches because of the protruding faceplate.

 

Do you really mean what you said above?
I doubt it.

Because the keys are not in position when you put the radio back.
You remove them as explained above before you put the radio back.

 

There seems to be some confusion as to my problem.

With the radio in the dash, I inserted a key in the righthand slot. The key activated the latch and is stuck in the hole as it should be. I inserted the other key into the left slot, but the key will only insert about halfway and will not "catch." Therefore, I have one key stuck in the right slot--I cannot release it because the radio has to be out to do this. And a left slot that will not accept a key. One side works--the other side does not.

 

I gotcha, I'm home, but stuck working on work stuff. When I get a sec, I'll check my radio. have you tried putting an up or down arch to the tool? You may have to make a release tool out of something superthin like a pop can for the other side, if you can't get the left one to work.

 

Or try reseating the radio on the left side, maybe it isn't "clicked" in so the tool can grab...

 

There is a solution to every problem, so collectively it might be solved. We'll all have to give this one some thought.

 

Stick the left key into that jar of Vaseline you keep in the nightstand and then see if that don't work !

 

I have mine in my hand with removal tools, I can't even see an easy way to remove the faceplate (without damage).
can you send a picture of the tools you are using, and how far it will go in?

 

OK, check and try this.
With your LEFT KEY notch, facing to the right, as you would insert it, bend the tip DOWN a smidge. Just a fine arc should do it, not a fold or anything, just a smooth curve so the tip is not pointing up. and insert the tool like you are trying to point it down.
I bent my tools up and down, down it worked, up and it would not insert like you described.
I have these tools and when I use the long angled option, I can release it from the radio by pushing the handle of the tool away from the center of the radio, as in on the right tool, push your hand towards the right, try to rotate the tool counter clockwise when looking straight down on it. But if your tool is like the shorter rounded slope, that clicks in solid, and I can't get it to release without pushing the hidden tab.