Hey guys,

My friend has a 00 bonne. She went to Circuit City to see about getting a cd player installed in place of her stock radio. They told her they can't do it because it isnt wires, its connected by a ribbon?? Whats the deal? I did some searching on here and I didnt see anything about that. She is just wants a cheap cd player, either stock or aftermarket. Is there a wiring harness conversion for this? Any and all info is greatly appreciated. Also, would any GM 00+ cd player bolt up? Thanx!

Scott
www.kwikgtp.com

Scott,

Prepare for loads of fun and lots of run-a-round. I have an 02 SE and was told similar things by different shops, it all depends on which radio you have but be prepared to lose some car functionalility. If you have the TRUE ribbon cable you cannot remove the radio from the car, you will have to get a dual location harness. This harness will allow you to install an aftermarket radio in the car, but will require you to keep the GM radio in the trunk, or elsewhere to retain some vehicle function. I was lucky, and that I did'nt have the true ribbon cable. The only features I lost were all the damn dinging.. and you can purchase a device called a "GM Chime" from another company to replicate that. You will lose the ding for open door, lights left on, and low on gas, etc. It may be cheaper in the long run to get a CD changer with an FM modulator (uses car'* antenna). If you really want to replace the HU try another car stereo shop that is'nt a chain, they usually know better, I would ask if you could remove the stock radio and take a pic of the back so I could tell if you it is similar to my radio, but I dont know what that would solve.


Good luck

Mike

Awww crap. Well I really appreciate the info! The FM modulater (sp?) is a way to go! I will tell her that! If she would get a stock 00 radio with CD would it have to be reset by the dealer or would the directions I found for earlier models work? Thanks again!



Scott
www.kwikgtp.com

i agree

i do have the ribbon on the back of my stereo. you say that you only lost the door chime. big deal! the store acted like it was a big deal so i have not pulled it out. mine is not the bose system it is the tape/cd player with steering wheel remote. my big problem is running the speaker wires to my door. is there somewhere that i can tap into the wire inside the ca. i mounted everything to the door panel so that i could use the factory wiring harness thru the door but once agin i pulled the radio out to find a ribbon. how do u tap into a ribbon. i just do not seem to be able to find the wires anywhere else though

Slow down...

Unless you want to cut and splice, you should be able to find a wire harness that will connect to the factory ribbon cable. Invest in that, then connect your radio to that aftermarket plug, then that plug connects to the ribbon cable. You get power, speakers, and the +12 for memory...

Correct and not correct

I have/had a full ribbon harness in my 01 and don't have it relocated. Stock Bose is sitting in my closet. My installer did have to tap into the ribbon for the speaker wires and power and such forth. It can be done, but is a pain, but can be done!!!!

Don't miss the door chimes either, also loose the radio station on the HUD

Check out my car below

Check to see if you have a CD changer harness in the trunk if that'* your only goal. You can get a GM changer. Just not sure if it'* compatible with all stock HU'*.

i got the harness and then found your reply. only one shop even knew of the harness but i got it. same adverse conditions of no door chime, big deal. but i did not get the switched 12 volt for some reason. i used my volt meter and there is no switched 12 volt there. did you have this problem. i just ran a new switched wire to the head unit.

the shop I dealt with did the same thing. They ran +12V off the ignition ciruit right there behind the dash. You loose the ability to have the radio continue to function after the car has been turned off (for 10 min or when a door is opened) but big deal right?