2005 Afrtermarket Radio Install

[volvo92906]

Hello, first time on this forum, but on many others with the same username. I am a heavy equipment technician at Caterpillar, with a few more years experience with over the road trucks also.

I am not really a[FONT=inherit !important] [FONT=inherit !important]car [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=inherit !important][FONT=inherit !important]person[/FONT][/FONT], so I dont get into them much for anything other than fixing OEM work. But, I do have a 2005 Grand Prix. I wanted to know if anybody could give me info on putting an aftermarket radio into it. With an [FONT=inherit !important][FONT=inherit !important]older[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=inherit !important][FONT=inherit !important]vehicle[/FONT][/FONT], you bought the [FONT=inherit !important][FONT=inherit !important]harness[/FONT][/FONT], connected it, and it was good to go. With all of this new stuff with monitoring systems and the like being tied in, will I lose my information center without the OEM radio? I would just like the option of my digital media instead of a CD player.

I appreciate any info. Thank you.

 

[Mindcrime]

Did this myself last year and bought a player & relevant harness from Crutchfield; you can search by car, year etc, and it basically tells you what fits and offers the harness for a cheap price, too. The only thing you lose by adding the aftermarket radio is the time on the DIC.

Also better asking this question in the Audio section, though.

 

[volvo92906]

Thank you Mindcrime. I have a head unit already. Had it in my old car and it worked fine.. Then I got a GM vehicle..... I am seeing stuff about needing extra harnessed because you lose chimes, etc. I dont care about onstar though. I dont have time on my DIC, but I do have mileage and other information id like to keep for the sake of making everything in the car function properly.

 

[Mindcrime]

Crutchfield sell the GM harness separately, too. Harness is around $100.00, I seem to recall, when bought on it's own.

 

[volvo92906]

That sucks.. I may just end up keeping the OEM one in. It is what it is.

Thank you for the info.

 

[Chadgervais]

I have found them to be more trouble than theyre worth. I bought the special harness, but my gauges are still wonky. Everything will be normal then all of a sudden my gauges go dead and my odometer stops counting miles. A few minutes later it comes back only to do it again later. I think your best bet is to keep the stock radio, unless you have a pro do it who will take responsibility if anything goes wrong.

 

[volvo92906]

Yeah.. I have done a lot more searching since yesterday and found you can get a few choices of expensive harnesses and still have problems hooking them up or having things work properly. I am a Ford guy, and I will tell you that after this nonsense I probably wont own another GM vehicle. I mean, a radio should be something stupid simple to change. My next search will be to the local dealer and finding out about an ipod adapter to stock radio. If not, I guess ill just leave it alone. Its too bad they play so much garbage on the radio anymore so id like the option to listen to what I like.. Mix cd's work too I suppose.

 

[kurthaver]

...My next search will be to the local dealer and finding out about an ipod adapter to stock radio...

If that's the objective, a wired or wireless FM modulator might be an acceptable option. Good wireless units that are made specifically for the iPod/iPad can be had for under $100.

 

[volvo92906]

If that's the objective, a wired or wireless FM modulator might be an acceptable option. Good wireless units that are made specifically for the iPod/iPad can be had for under $100.

Yessir. I called GM and they know absolutely nothing, but that is the usual.

Talked to a buddy of mine and he has been using an FM transmitter that hooks inline with the antenna wire. I am going to go that route. The only downside is I think I have to get the radio 'programmed' for the AUX port. (apparently there were options for multi-disc changers and XM radio) It says the dealer has to do that, but I have access to a Tech II so I need to find out if that will work, if it is even necessary.