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 car person, 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 oldervehicle, you bought the harness, 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.