hoju7887

Hello everyone. I am looking to purchase an new cardeck..not an expensive one..maybe the in the $100 range. Not looking for anything facy, just something I can listen to my mp3's through.

I have a couple in mind, but when I went to Best Buy, the guy working there told me that my car (2001 Pontiac Sunfire SLX 4 door sedan with stock everything) has a different type of wiring system and that it would cost be about $190 dollars (canadian) on top of the actual car deck and install cause it needed some new wiring and stuff.

Is this true? or was he just looking to milk more money off of me for installing the deck through best buy?

Thank you for your help in advance.

jerdavey

The unit he is talking about is the GMRC-01 from Metra. It is a pain in the butt, but you do need it. Your factory door chimes, horn and other systems run through the factory deck. Also, the factory GM wiring harness does not provide a switched 12 volt ignition power source to turn on the deck. This is taken care of by the GMRC-01. Taking this out can result in unpredictable results. I installed one for a customer in a 2001 Alero, and when he got it home, he decided to take it out of the system. The next time he started his car, his horn honked and stayed on until he scrabbled around and put the GMRC-01 back in. As an installer I am sympathetic to the people that buy inexpensive cd players to put in their vehicles, only to find out that auto companies have done this. Frustrating in the least.

hoju7887

aww shucks..I checked Crutchfield and the unit is $80 US. Im just a poor college kid and cant find enough cash to pay for all of that right now i guess =(

How about those auxilliary input adapters? I searched around, but i dont think there is any for my stereo (it just has the cd/aux button..none of that cd changer or..sattalite thing) lol..sorry that i dont know more about all this, but will be glad to run to the car and check for stuff if you need more information.

Thank you so much again for the speedy response.

jerdavey

Check out www.peripheralelectronics.com. They make units that add auxiliary inputs for factory radios, as well as Ipod adaptors. Unfortunately, you will probably be spending about $50-$100 US for these as well. Your best bet may be to get an FM modulator. I really dont like these, cause you wont get high fidelity, but it would be cheaper. Or get Satellite radio...

hoju7887

=D .. that's awesome..i think i found one that will work with my car

http://peripheralelectronics.com/prodDetail.asp?strProductID=506&strSearch=

will it? i just want to make sure before i get one. Im kind of desperate cause driving to work and school are a pain in the but with our local radio stations =S

jerdavey

Actually, i was looking at that one right after your first post. The only thing that i see being a problem, is when you click on application guide and scroll down to Pontiac, there is a module for 2003-2005 and another up to 1999. Doesnt seem to have one for your year. I suggest you email the company and confirm that this will infact work. They may also be able to give you a price for that part. Sometimes they wont because they prefer you to deal through a dealer. But at least you have the information to start calling around to shops in your area.

Joshv06

iTrader: (1)

Do a search on j-body.org, many people have successfully used an adapter that runs around $20. It is for another car, but no mods are needed.

hoju7887

wow..this must be the most helpful forum on the internet =)

Thank you so much for all your help. I wen to the J-body website and I found this

http://members.shaw.ca/johnz24/howto/

apparently, putting in an aftermarket deck should only affect the door chimes and nothing else (well, if you have onstar thats gone too). They are pretty adament on it not affecting anything else, and they seem to be experts on anything to do with cavaliers and sunfires.

Apparently just buying any aftermarket harness for any aftermarket deck is just fine, except you lose the door chimes.

I wish that trade-off didnt exist in the first place, but it seems like a small price to pay for my needs.

Joshv06

iTrader: (1)

No problem, i would have searched for the exact adapter, but it was past my bedtime Just dont lose your radio security code for your stock deck or you may run into some problems retrieving it when/if you reinstall it.

blue_dime

this is so true, i've installed a bunch of decks in lots of newer sunfire/cavaliers and U DO NOT have to get that relocate deck thing it's a god dam scam! go to any local shop other then best buy/futureshop and u can get it!...good luck bro...and u can get the wiring harness for a 2001 sunfire u do not have to get another car adaptor...