Thread: Replacing stock car stereo on a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix?

I recently jammed a CD into my stereo while there was already a CD in place. It took a lot of work, but I finally got it out. Now the CD tray won't accept CDs at all. I've tried pulling out the CD player and unplugging the unit it, but that doesn't seem to work.

It pushes all the CDs I put in directly out.

So, now I'm looking for a new car stereo. I've never updated a stereo before, but the plugging/unplugging seemed simple enough. The problem is the shape of the Grand Prix's radio unit is twice as large as any that I've ever seen.

I consulted a guy at a local audio/car shop and he said that it'd be about $300 all together. I don't have that kind of money. I'd like to spend around $150sh and install it myself if possible. I was told working on Grand Prix audio equipment is extremely difficult, but I can't tell if he's telling the truth or not.

Would something like this work... http://www.installer.com/photos/gm1585b.jpg

Would it be worth upgrading my cars sound system's speakers? I plan on using my mp3 player as my main listening device.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!

Originally Posted by gtpinsc

working on grand prix audio isnt difficult... lol he lied.. ur gonna need a deck, wiring harness, and mounting kit... not really gonna pull that off with 150.00 bucks... theres a stock one for sale in the for sale section of forum.

Ah man, that sucks. I'm going to end up putting a boombox in the passenger seat of my car haha.

Are you sure that this - http://www.installer.com/photos/gm1585b.jpg - wouldn't work? It looks like I could just slide the regular stereo in the top part and bolt in the sides. It doesn't have to look pretty for me. I'd just like for it to be functional.

I guess I'll give the junk shop another try. I'd be willing to spend $200 if that's what it takes, but I'm going to have to sell some stuff. Thanks a lot

Originally Posted by gtpinsc

that thing is fugly.. im not too familiar with dash of 04+ but heres mine... i paid like 20 bucks for it.

As you can see, the entire CD portion of the dashboard takes up the space of 2 normal CD players...

Originally Posted by matt5112

Double DIN's are much more badass than single DIN's.

Just find the model numbers of the lowest level double din's and take them to youtube. Or ask ZR1Vette about some other sites for good sites for good prices on car audio ****.

I'm sorry - I don't have very much technical knowledge about cars What exactly do I need the model number of (the CD Player unit?) What would I do with the model number on youtube? Any chance I could buy any of these things from Best Buy/Autozone/etc. Waiting a week without a CD player is a lot more difficult than I imagined.

Sorry, I meant ebay lol.

You can buy them from best buy but their prices suck big compared to online.

Originally Posted by matt5112

Sorry, I meant ebay lol.

You can buy them from best buy but their prices suck big compared to online.

haha okay - That makes a lot more sense. I'd still need to take it down to a GM dealership to have it unlocked or whatever, but I can deal with that as a last resort, though.

But, I'd really like to have a stereo with an AUX jack. I'm going to head to another car stereo/accessory place tomorrow and get a second opinion. I don't need it to look perfect right away. I can always buy the dashboard attachment thingy later.

you will need a wiring interface. i dont no if the 97-03s need them. but i got mine off ebay used for 75 with a dash kit. i think its around 100 for it new. you can get it from crutchfield.
like this...GM Factory Integration Adapter General Motors Class II data bus interfaceRetains ONSTAR system, factory door chime, and Bose system with aftermarket radio at Crutchfield.com...
you will only use the wires on the right. its just as easy as installing a regular wiring harness.

$75 for a harness?

?

I paid $12... at a local store. No discount either.

Originally Posted by sportred04

you will need a wiring interface. i dont no if the 97-03s need them. but i got mine off ebay used for 75 with a dash kit. i think its around 100 for it new. you can get it from crutchfield.
like this...GM Factory Integration Adapter General Motors Class II data bus interfaceRetains ONSTAR system, factory door chime, and Bose system with aftermarket radio at Crutchfield.com...
you will only use the wires on the right. its just as easy as installing a regular wiring harness.

I guess wiring is a bit more difficult than I realized. I thought I'd just be unplugging the current CD player and using the same plug for the new one. Why is an adapter such as this necessary. Tell me if I'm wrong, but do I just plug the old wire into this adapter and then plug the other cable into the new CD player. Are all CD player cables not compatible with each other (probably a stupid question, sorry)

Originally Posted by matt5112

$75 for a harness?

?

I paid $12... at a local store. No discount either.

No idea what you're talking about. I'm more of a noob than I realized haha

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my dumb questions, everyone.

And I see why that electrical harness is so expensive.

Pretty dumb that its so expensive though.

yea its got the dic going through it. a grand am one will hook up but you dic wont work and you guages will go crazy. they say you can fry your PCM but idk bout that. and it keep you chime. if you have steering wheel audio controls you will need to get yet another adapter to keep them working. the trailblazer use them and probably all the other newer GMs, but dont quote me.

Those things sound like ass 90% of the time and the other ten they just don't work.

Not really sure if this is needed on <05 cars or not but I know that 05+ with Monsoon def needs it. The H/U in the newer Monsoons supplies a low level output (the older systems supplied full speaker level outputs which the amplifier then bumped back down using an internal line-level converter).

Personally, I am going to be soldering up my own set of female RCA ends to the stock harness and then plugging my RCA outs from the new H/U into that. Sure, I will lose chimes, but personally, I like that!

As for the person saying it will still use the DIC, no it will not. You will still lose your calendar. The ONLY thing it connects to is OnStar and chimes. Don't know you're talking about it messing with gauges but you could wire it up using that kit or without that kit and have no issues with a completely different system.