Radio Install Problems

pimpJ · 04-08-2006, 05:45 PM

Preface: I've installed multiple radios and replaced speakers before without any problems... So I'm not a complete goon.

My radio was stolen a couple of weeks ago. I was sent a new radio by insurance. I'm trying to put it in and am running into some problems:

1.) I go out to my car to find this:
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sitting on my floorboard. What concerns me is this:
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which leads me to believe that I'm going to have to dismantle the door to reconfigure my speaker. Is that true ? Why would thieves be interested in breaking my front left speaker ?

2.) The insurance company, circuit city, and best buy all insist that this:
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(coming from an adapter they sent me (peripheral GMOS1))
should plug into this:
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(coming from the dashboard)

Obviously that's not happening.

I have no idea where to go from here.. is anyone familiar enough with GM radios to tell me where to go from here ? Specifically. What I need to get to adapt to this:
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and what to do about this extra cable I have.

I'd just take it to a shop. But I've already been driving silently for 2 weeks.. and would really like to just get this done today.

shotgunefx · 04-08-2006, 05:53 PM

Call Metra technical and see if they can help you.

800-221-0932 xt. 702

Their support is great and their products as well.

pimpJ · 04-08-2006, 05:56 PM

I'm not sure what I would tell them.

"The grey box thing that comes out of the dash needs something to plug into.. like.. the..."

That's how the conversations went at Circuit City... slightly frusterating for both parties.

I was hoping somebody would know what adapters I needed.

shotgunefx · 04-08-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by pimpJ

I'm not sure what I would tell them.

"The grey box thing that comes out of the dash needs something to plug into.. like.. the..."

That's how the conversations went at Circuit City... slightly frusterating for both parties.

I was hoping somebody would know what adapters I needed.

You could tell them the year, make, model of your car and your stereo. I bet they can help. Pretty much their business to know.

Maybe they have an email you can mail the pics to otherwise.

I was looking for a harness to go directly into my amp. Few places I contacted told me it didn't exist. Called them and two seconds later had my part number.

Worth a shot.

shotgunefx · 04-08-2006, 06:24 PM

Looking at it again and the number of wires between the two, sure you're not missing a piece or looking at the wrong lead?

pimpJ · 04-08-2006, 06:29 PM

I think I must be missing a piece.. But when I look at the stock radio for my car, on the back it has the male version of this 24 pin port.. which makes me think that maybe it's supposed to be like that... but if not.. why do I have this extra wire labelled "front left" ?

This may just have to wait so I can pay someone else to deal with it..

(I called you people, extension is outdated, but I got to tech support to find that they are open Monday through Friday, etc.)

Legarcondemerde · 04-09-2006, 02:03 AM

You need this part:

http://www.scosche.com/scosche_carau...ItemID=DCGM09B

The front left speaker thing you saw was because the doorchime on newer GMs plays through the front left speaker. I don't know what harness you had before, but the older generation GM harnesses had some strange things going on. I have used this harness many times with no problems, it allows you to keep your doorchime and retained accessory power just like the OEM deck. The crappy thing is that it costs about $120. What do you drive?

shotgunefx · 04-09-2006, 02:31 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Legarcondemerde

You need this part:

http://www.scosche.com/scosche_carau...ItemID=DCGM09B

The front left speaker thing you saw was because the doorchime on newer GMs plays through the front left speaker. I don't know what harness you had before, but the older generation GM harnesses had some strange things going on. I have used this harness many times with no problems, it allows you to keep your doorchime and retained accessory power just like the OEM deck. The crappy thing is that it costs about $120. What do you drive?

Can you do without it? (The chime), that's pretty steep.

pimpJ · 04-09-2006, 09:10 AM

I never had a doorchime to begin with. Possibly because this part had been ripped out all along ? (I bought it used with an aftermarket stereo). I'm definitely fine without the chime, though.

THe insurance company already sent me this:
http://www.cardomain.com/item/PERGMOS1?ref=frog

which I think is the same concept. It still doesn't "adapt" to the hardness in the car, though.

pimpJ · 04-09-2006, 09:19 AM

At this point I can just wait until tomorrow to get it installed. I'm still interested in what the cheap solution would be for those of us who don't need the doorchime feature (in case anyone else is in my shoes).

Legarcondemerde · 04-09-2006, 10:54 AM

You can get just a harness, Metra 70-2003, but you will have to run your own accessory wire to make the radio turn off with the key. The newer GM cars use data, not voltage, to turn off the OEM radio. Personally, I would spend the money and get the right harness. I have heard of people having problems with ABS and airbag lights coming on after installing an aftermarket radio in some GMs, due to GM's wanna-be telematics. I have done many GMs both ways, and have never personally had a problem. I would still reccommend using the right part, however. Does your car have Onstar?

pimpJ · 04-09-2006, 03:32 PM

no onstar. And I never had a door ajar alarm or anything.. maybe that's due to the previously installed stereo being installed incorrectly.. not sure.

Legarcondemerde · 04-09-2006, 05:01 PM

I would definitely spend the extra cash on the right harness. It will make the install go MUCH easier and it'll work like it's supposed to. I think Circuit City might have an off-brand version of this harness that may be worth checking into.

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