Pioneer AVH4400NEX factory SD card replacement without removing the head unit

I could not remove my head unit to replace the factory SD card which is a known failure point for these pioneer head units. Thanks to all that made this possible.

[@rbroberts61]

so glad you posted this! Im already on my 2nd head unit. My first one I had to replace the card and after another year it again went bad. Card didnt work. I reluctanty purchased the same head unit only because I didnt want to have to get another whole wire kit and Maestro for another brand. Ive had the second unit for about 2 years and the thing just started the boot loop crap yesterday, I was gonna tear it out and this time cut the opening with the radio apart. After seeing your vid I now know its easy to do without removing. Im the king od the Dremmel, my fave tool by far. Thanks for posting

[@ballvice7861]

Ty Ty

[@jamesmiller1048]

Thank you so much! This fixed my 4400, the OS does not look quite the same but everything works just perfect.

[@rbroberts61]

OK, so I easily removed the faceplate but the metal atachment point that is covering the card slot is still in the upright position. your vid doesnt show how you got that to open and expose the card slot. I can see its final horizontal position in your vid but mine wont budge? Ive tried sliding it down, pulling from the bottom, it seems to be locked rock solid into place. How did you get it to open?

[@ballvice7861]

I cut it with a demel tool :)

[@ballvice7861]

Mine slid down with minimal pressure

[@rbroberts61]

@ballvice7861 Thank you for your reply! I did manage to get it but it wasnt so easy. I actually have 2 units and both were the same. Basically needed to use a small screw driver to pry the bottom hinges out a bit. it took quite a bit of force to get them moving and I was concerned id damage somthing but just went for it. Once both sides were extended about 1/4 inch I was able to grab the metal plate from the bottom and pull it out. It doesnt actually just slide down. More a combonation of pulling the bottom while slideing it down from the top. After I dremmeled and got the slot exposed and replaced the card. Boot loop fixed but I have no touch screen functions at all. Still messing with this. It doesnt appear like there is anything I might have damaged with the dremmel to have lost touch sreen working but looks like im gonna have to tear it down and take a closer look.

[@Trixxyz]

will this work with the 4500Nex

[@ballvice7861]

Yes

[@Trixxyz]

@@ballvice7861 thanks for the response, did it and works perfectly. Thankfully SD card hasn’t gone out since but in the event it does will be an easy fix

[@dariusjohnson9429]

Will the SD card be in the same place for the pioneer AVH 4500NEX?

[@ballvice7861]

Yes. The one I bought was literally plug and play

[@williampayne4798]

Can you send the link for the Sd card I have the 4500 nex

[@lilyj2399]

Hey you did a great job, what dremel did you use?

[@ballvice7861]

I used a cutting wheel and went very very slow

[@nickpalmer6694]

How did you fold down the mechanism to get access to the sd card? I can’t get mine to move

[@ballvice7861]

Once the faceplate is off it slides down

[@motobevy7850]

​@@ballvice7861 hey I'm having the same issue. I've tried pulling it and prying it down but it will not slide down to access the SD card

[@ballvice7861]

@@motobevy7850 the front face?

[@williampayne4798]

Where did you order the Sd card from?

[@ballvice7861]

eBay - I thought I provided the data for that.

[@UncleWobby2024]

You show how you got faceplate off but don’t show how you got the next mechanism to fold down so you can see sd card.

[@ballvice7861]

Once you unlock it - it slides down.

[@argilparsjus9127]

Can you send me the link to buy de sd card

[@ballvice7861]

Oh man. It’s been so long ago I don’t remember. I think I call out the person that I borrowed from and they had it in their link.

[@pedrobenson]

I did the same but not as clean lol