Radio installation leads to bigger issues

**87IROCZOWNER69** · 11-13-2011

Not only was I unable to get the aftermarket radio to work after trying to wire everything but then more problems arose.

1) Does anyone have a wiring diagram to show what all the wires are back there so I know how to hook them up to the new to me (it is a dual and looks kinda crappy but it has a flip down face plate for I think cds, mp3 hookup, and maybe a screen but I don't know for sure) radio.

2) Now the keyless entry, heater controls (they light up but I can't operate the heater atm), and that little display that shows the gas mileage and oil life isn't working either along with that flashing red light on the top of the dash. So could all this be linked to a fuse or what? I plan on removing the harness I tried to install and letting my friend give it a go who has done it a few times and if he fails try and get this other guy who does it for a living to install it. But as far as the other things go what should I do?

I don't know if it matters but the factory system was Bose. Another note is that the car has a 480 watt pioneer amp hooked up to all of the speakers....

**KeithGTP03** · 11-13-2011

What wire harness are you using?

**87IROCZOWNER69** · 11-14-2011

Originally Posted by KeithGTP03

What wire harness are you using?

What do you mean by that?

**BillBoost37** · 11-14-2011

Do you wanna maybe mention what car you'd like that wiring diagram for ?

the12volt.com They will likely have everything you need

**twol8uluz** · 11-14-2011

Sometimes ur better off letting the proffesionals do it! Btw, u understand ur going to sacrifice a few things when hooking up that radio....right? Steering wheel controls, any radio display on the hud, bose amp, etc.....that's if you haven't bought ALL the harnesses you need, which u prob didn't. That's y I kept my factory radio in cuz to keep all the bells and wistles it was another 300+!! But good luck with your installation! :-)

**izup69** · 11-14-2011

My harness for my 04+ to keep everything was about $160 and its a sonova to hook up sooo many wires. Its almost the same as the 97-03 harness to keep everything. Like said the12volt.com has everything and do urself a favor and buy a harness dont go cutting up the wires lol. If u did or are going to ur in for a hole hell of alot more trouble lol

**87IROCZOWNER69** · 11-14-2011

Originally Posted by twol8uluz

Sometimes ur better off letting the proffesionals do it! Btw, u understand ur going to sacrifice a few things when hooking up that radio....right? Steering wheel controls, any radio display on the hud, bose amp, etc.....that's if you haven't bought ALL the harnesses you need, which u prob didn't. That's y I kept my factory radio in cuz to keep all the bells and wistles it was another 300+!! But good luck with your installation! :-)

Wait you're kidding right? Because I already cut off the old harness in an attempt to hook up the new one. I had a friend who just put one in his car and he never mentioned anything about putting a bunch of harnesses in it.

**Explicit_Spade** · 11-14-2011

You NEVER cut your factory radio harness!

**Mad Monkey** · 11-14-2011

hook back up the old harness, then buy the proper items for installation.

**Bio248** · 11-14-2011

i have in the past, but its not nearly as reversible as using another harness.

**Explicit_Spade** · 11-14-2011

Newer cars NEED harneses, unless you really know the cars electical system. In ealy 90s cars, splicing factory wiring wasn't a huge deal because of the way they were wired and the fact that the radio did not hold information for other things.

Originally Posted by Mad Monkey

hook back up the old harness, then buy the proper items for installation.

My guess is that he probably cut the old harness right at the plug to allow for the most available wire, which would make that next to impossible.

**dsmuts** · 11-14-2011

Ive made the mistake of cutting into the factory harness BIG headache, never again.

**Mad Monkey** · 11-14-2011

well if it was a 97-03, could cut it out and wire direct, not all the wires are used.

if it was a 04+ he's beyond screwed.

**87IROCZOWNER69** · 11-14-2011

Originally Posted by Explicit_Spade

Newer cars NEED harneses, unless you really know the cars electical system. In ealy 90s cars, splicing factory wiring wasn't a huge deal because of the way they were wired and the fact that the radio did not hold information for other things.

My guess is that he probably cut the old harness right at the plug to allow for the most available wire, which would make that next to impossible.

When I cut off the harness I left a good inch or so at the plug in case I were to have screwed up. The reason I cut it was I had installed a new radio in my 87 Camaro and was able to do the same thing with no problems. Also my car is a '99 GTP that cam from the factory with the Bose speaker system (well all the grills say Bose but how do I check the speakers to see if they say the samething?)

I was just on Crutchfield looking up a new head unit (I think the one I have is probably toast but idk) and it came up with all this extra stuff that is supposed to make everything install nice and easy (which my friend said he did). Is everything here good to go?

Crutchfield Cart

**Explicit_Spade** · 11-14-2011

As previously mentioned, if you can, splice your stock harness back in.

From there you can either buy a metra 97-2003 for $20 or so and lose your door chimes (like if you leave your key in, and your time/date) or pay $120+ for the other style harness which retains door chimes.

Also if you want your steering wheel buttons to remain functional, theres another harness for that depending on your head unit.

**87IROCZOWNER69** · 11-14-2011

Originally Posted by Explicit_Spade

As previously mentioned, if you can, splice your stock harness back in.

From there you can either buy a metra 97-2001 for $20 or so and lose your door chimes (like if you leave your key in, and your time/date) or pay $120+ for the other style harness which retains door chimes.

Also if you want your steering wheel buttons to remain functional, theres another harness for that depending on your head unit.

I plan on splicing it back in....but does that link contain everything I need to make it all work?

Alpine CDE-100 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

**Mad Monkey** · 11-14-2011

cant share your cart with others
write down the list of items

**Explicit_Spade** · 11-14-2011

With the purchase of most car stereos:
FREE mounting kit, wiring harness, and antenna adapter
Buy a stereo priced above $119, and get a FREE installation kit, wiring harness, and antenna adapter (if needed).* For receivers below $119, you'll pay no more than $15 for this installation gear. You'll save time and money on the installation, and it'll be easier to reinstall the factory radio if you sell your car.

Sounds like you either get a more expensive head unit or pay $15 more anyway for what they think you'll need.

**Mad Monkey** · 11-14-2011

which really, buy a better HU and get the stuff for free..

**87IROCZOWNER69** · 11-14-2011

Originally Posted by Explicit_Spade

With the purchase of most car stereos:
FREE mounting kit, wiring harness, and antenna adapter
Buy a stereo priced above $119, and get a FREE installation kit, wiring harness, and antenna adapter (if needed).* For receivers below $119, you'll pay no more than $15 for this installation gear. You'll save time and money on the installation, and it'll be easier to reinstall the factory radio if you sell your car.

Sounds like you either get a more expensive head unit or pay $15 more anyway for what they think you'll need.

I read that but when I went to my cart it showed that is still coming as free anyway so I don't know what to make of it. The reason I am putting in the aftermarket head unit is because I am sort of doing it as a present for my brother and because the car has an amp hooked up to all the speakers so I need a way to plug it into the radio so I figured why not.