[Joe K]

I have a 2000 996 Carrera coupe, and it has a AM/FM/Cassette/Nav unit in the dash, with an amp and CD changer in the trunk, and 6 speakers. There is also a separate nav system CD drive in the dash just below the Nav LCD display for reading only Nav data CDs. Well, my stereo is malfunctioning...switches in the head for controlling changing presets don't work. The unit turns on and off but there is no sound and none of the buttons work, and I can't even select the CD changer to listen to CDs. So, since I never use the Nav system, I'm thinking of totally removing the stereo and Nav and Nav CD and putting in a new aftermarket AM/FM/CD player without Nav. Will the old amp and CD changer work with a new stereo unit? How do I remove the stereo and Nav CD from the dash? What will happen to the climate control system since its performance will no longer be able to be monitored on the Nav LCD display? (I never look at it there anyway). Will it hurt the car's other electronic systems if I remove the old stereo and Nav CD and replace it with something newer but without Nav? What stereo do you recommend? How do I cover up the big hole left when I remove the old Nav/Stereo LCD display? (I assume the new AM/FM/CD will go where the old Nav CD reader is, just below the Nav LCD display.) Do I need any special tools?