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2009 (5N) Volkswagen Tiguan Head Unit/Radio Replacement

In this guide, you are going to learn how to...

iFixit Library Volkswagen Tiguan Moderate 30 - 45 minutes Guide 210166

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This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.

Guide overview

Before you begin

In this guide, you are going to learn how to replace your head unit in your 2009 (5N) Volkswagen Tiguan.If you have another year of the first generation (5N) Volkswagen Tiguan, this guide may still work for you as they share the same components, including the head unit and radio equipment.

Step 1

Repair step

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Make yourself comfortable in the driver seat, as this is where you will be working during the entire process.

Step 2

Repair step

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Remove the card slot/holder and passenger airbag warning light by prying under the plastic trim with the Trim-Remover tool.

Step 3

Repair step

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Disconnect the passenger airbag trim main unit by pressing down on the tabs on both sides of the electrical connector.

Step 4

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP T20 Torx Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Remove the two T20 Torx screws from both sides of the trim that surround the head unit.
The other screw can be found on the opposite side of the one being removed, behind my finger.

Step 5

Repair step

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Pry under the surrounding trim with the Trim-Remover tool, just like before with the card slot/holder and passenger airbag warning light trim pieces.
Make sure to pry near the edges if possible to avoid cracking or breaking the thinner areas of the trim.
The trim may be stuck while removing it, so pushing underneath the hazard lights button should help in removing the trim fully.

Step 6

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP T20 Torx Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Use a T20 Torx screwdriver to remove the four screws that hold the head unit in place.
The other two screws can be found on the other side of the head unit.

Step 7

Repair step

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The head unit can now be pulled out of the dash. Doing this, we can access the 3 connections on the back side of the head unit.
(You may need to place something underneath the head unit to hold it in place, as it is quite heavy to hold with one hand, and you don't want to cause stress on the wires or cause them to snap.)

Step 8

Repair step

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Pull up on the bottom tab of the main connector to allow it to come up and out of the port.

Step 9

Repair step

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For these two smaller connectors, pull the back tabs up to allow them to be released.

Step 10

Repair step

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It is the same process for this connector.

Step 11

Repair step

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Line up the back of the new/repaired head unit with the opening, and begin to start reconnecting the electrical connectors. Remember, you may need to place something underneath the head unit to hold it up, as it is quite heavy.
Reconnect the two small connectors by pushing them into the small circular connectors, and pushing the tab down behind them to insure that they are connected properly.
(It does not matter what order you connect the connectors in, so do not worry about "frying" anything or causing an electrical short.)

Step 12

Repair step

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Place and slide the main connector into place, and push the back tab down to lock it into place and to insure that it is connected properly.

Step 13

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP T20 Torx Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Slide the head unit back into its place.
Make sure that passenger airbag warning light connector is not trapped behind the head unit or snagged in any way. Failing to do so might cause the wires to snap or break; or, the head unit will not be able to be screwed down properly.

Step 14

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP T20 Torx Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

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After in place, and lined up properly with the screw holes, hand tighten the 4 T20 Torx screws back into place.
(The head unit being misaligned may cause the main surrounding trim panel to not go down entirely, causing an imperfect and non flush fitment.

Step 15

Repair step

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We can then start to put the main trim piece into place, threading the passenger airbag warning light connector through it's trim piece's hole.
Then, push down evenly on both sides of the trim, insuring that all 4 sides clicked evenly into place; for example, a lid on a piece of tupperware.

Step 16

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP T20 Torx Screwdriver Bit Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Hand tighten the 2 final screws into place.

Step 17

Repair step

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Align the passenger airbag warning light's trim connector and cable connector together and push them together, listening for a click to insure connection.
You can then push the trim piece into its slot, listening for a click again and insuring that it is flush with the surrounding trim.

Step 18

Repair step

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Put the final piece of trim into place, listening for a click and insuring its flush fitment like before.

Step 19

Repair step

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And with that, we're done! Enjoy your new entertainment system, and if you have any comments or concerns please ask away :)