Would really appreciate some help - routing the radio aerial lead

I decided to treat myself to a new radio aerial on my 1996 90 300 TDi CSW which arrived today - the old one having snapped at the top section. I'm now stuck because I don't know how to pass the aerial lead through the bulkhead so that I can plug it into the radio. I have tried to tape the new lead to the old one (having cut the old lead at the base of the aerial) but the route through the bulkhead is so restricted with a large wiring loom I can't see where to go and the plug would not go through - so now the old lead is completely off the vehicle and I have to start from scratch.

The old lead was routed through the bulkhead (engine side) through a large grommet which fitted in to a removable plastic/rubber cover secured by four screws - the cable to operate the heater valve hot/cold setting also passes through the same. Having removed this cover all I can see is a huge, solid wiring loom running east/west with no room to spare.

So I'm stuck and need to know what inner trim to remove to expose the area where the aerial lead passes through the bulkhead so that I can direct it to the radio aperture - all I can say is that from the engine side, it has to go to the right. I'm trying not to remove trim willy nilly in the hope that I hit the jackpot - I need someone who knows what the arrangement of the inner side of the bulkhead looks like and whether the lead has to go up and to the right, or down and to the right or whatever.

I have removed the inner fuse/relay cover, the small panel which holds the rear wiper and cigarette lighter. The radio is removed and just for the hell of it I removed the two screws which locate the plastic radio housing allowing it to slide one way or the other.

I feel better already having just written this but I am a bit fed up.

You will need to remove the instrument cluster, that is where the lead will enter the cabin when it goes through the grommet. From there you will have to figure it out yourself I'm afraid

Before you fit it, go and buy yourself an extension lead and fit that between the radio and the inner-wing. That way if the aerial needs replacing in the future you just have to unplug it from the connector under the bonnet which makes it a simple 5-minute job.

I'm definately listening - two good tips so far.

Thanks and keep them coming if you have something useful to add.

With it being a 1996 300tdi I'm not sure if you have the same bulkhead as a 200tdi (hole In the middle of the bulkhead) on a td5 the loom comes in at the passenger footwell and a couple of holes on each side on the bulkhead at the top.

If it's all coming in right in the middle where mine comes in it really is tight and the cables are half way down from the center console and the fuse box.

The dash isn't too complex and is pretty simple to remove. You start with removing the top 3 screws near the screen and then you can pull the top off. Then there are a few bolts to remove the lower dash ect. All you need to do is remove a few bits to get into the back and feed a cable through.

A little fiddly however very possible to do.
I found it very daunting at the thought of swapping a 200tdi dash to td5 but I managed it, just remove slowly and note where it goes.

The powered internal aerials work pretty well, I have mine at the extreme left edge of the screen, doesn't interfere with vision at all.

Feeling less pee'd off now and raring to have a fresh attempt - I've bought an aerial extension lead so it's instrument binnacle out tomorrow looking for that hole I need.

Drama is now over - the tip of removing the instrument binnacle revealed all and everything is fitted and working.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

Good news. Enjoy!