Hi All,

I just bought my '03 bonny (ssei) and the bose radio doesn't work. I sent it into the shop to have it replaced... and they replaced it with another, which they had to order. However, they cannot make it work. I don't have any details other than they cannot make it work. They even took it to a custom stereo shop (who said an aftermarket would work). Has anyone ever heard of the system working one day and then refusing to work another beside the HU and the Amp going out?

The wiring shouldn't have gone bad should it? I could only see that happening if the wires were cut in the dash... At least one of the 8 speakers should work if its a wiring issue... but then again it could be bad at the plug right?

I know its low on details, but maybe I can get more this evening when I go up to the dealership.

thanks for any possible answers.

I know little about radios. Are there any questions I should ask the dealership to get more answers and maybe provide information about what could be causing it?

The bose radio isn't an endall deal, but we wanted to get On* and my wife likes it because it fits with the overall visual theme of the car. Anyway...

thanks,
-Me

Man that'* a choppy post.

Sorry about that guys.

If the radio was not brand new it may need to be reset for the security lock.

If the radio is truly NEW then it should automatically read and store the cars VIN number for security purposes..

other than that, there may be some wiring issue with your car that would require a bit more knowledge of what exactly is going on to troubleshoot.

You can also buy an adapter to hook up and aftermarket radio that will retain onstar capabilities. the downside is the $100 or so price tag JUST for the wiring adapter

thanks toastedoats,

The replacement radio is refurbished, and they went through the process of, whatever it is they do, to unlock it.

The thing I don't get is why an aftermarket radio will work... I don't believe a drop in replacement would do the trick, unless it truely is the head unit (both of them , orig and replacement). There'* got to be something else going on.

Anyone know of any possible situations where a drop-in am/fm/cd radio would solve an issue like this as opposed to a stock radio?

And I'll get more info as soon as possible.

thanks again,
-Me

The only thing that i could see that an aftermarket would work would be if they re-wired the car as well (Some custom shops do not know how to replace the Bose radios, especially those in our cars without a complete re-wire), but i dont know what their intentions are with the installation, if they used a wiring adapter and kept the original wiring there is no reason that an aftermarket would work and not the Bose unless perhaps the radio is not actually unlocked, or defective.

who unlocked the radio? the dealer, refurbisher, or stereo shop?

if you can find out WHAT the radio does when installed and powered on, it would help greatly to try to troubleshoot

Where did you take the car to get the new Bose radio and have the car checked out ?
An independent mechanic, the dealer or a stereo shop?

It can't be that difficult to troubleshoot the problem.
It has to be either a power issue or an ouput issue.

You need to ask more questions to find out what is going on or take it to a different shop.
Since you want to keep the factory Bose unit I would suggest that you take it to the dealer.

Good Luck,
Dutch

I bought the car from a mitsu. dealership which looked at the problem, who then sent it to a custom shop, who then sent it to pontiac. Pontiac attempted to replace the bose system with a refurb, but it didn't work (for a reason unknown to me so far). I am waiting on a call back from the dealership to see about getting more information and maybe some reports faxed over to me to take a look at. I would be very interested to see what they came up with, or what problems exist.


I would think (and tell me if I am wrong [from the computer admin'* point o view)] it would require simple line testing, testing the communication from the head unit and amp to the speakers. find the one that gets no signal and thats where you problem lies. If that were a computer network, I could test all that in like two or three minutes... and each place has had it for at least a day... some more than others. I'm on day 5.

thanks again.

Its a power issue with the head unit. Apparantly the replacement ordered was bad as well. all wires and speakers are ok.

That'* aggrivating... to say the least. they are going to swap it out with an aftermarket product (I will call back to get model info after lunch) so maybe you guys can help me with equivelents.

I also got a verbal statement saying that they would put the stock unit in the trunk for me to look at my discretion.

Are there any makes/models that you would recommend that are equivelent replacements that I could suggest to them?

Are there any specs I should know about to measure the aftermarket stereo against the bose to know if they are giving me an actual equivelent rather than a cheap replacement?

thanks again.

For clairification sake.....Are you saying that they will give you some cash towards an aftermarket, if so just get them to cut you a cheque and then you can go shopping.

Your car is not as easy as an Mitsu to install an aftermarket deck into.
I would get your new HU installed at a stereo shop, not at the dealership were you bought it. Because they don't seem to be to fimiliar with electrical on your car.

In addition to the new Head Unit (HU) you will require the following........

Periphrial Module (to keep the car functioning normally)
[Key chime, low fuel chime, seat belt chime etc.]
Because GM decided it was a great idea to wire all these through the OEM radio.
Price $100 - $150

Mounting bracket
Price $15 - 30

Antenna adapter
Price $15

Install Labour
Price $50

Try BestBuy or Circuit City sometimes they have promo'* were if you buy a HU for over a certain price the install labour is free.

Good Luck,
Dutch

thanks for the information dutch.

They sent it back to a custom shop yesterday. If they run into any problems I'll just go with your advice and have them cut me a check.

thanks again,
-Js