Car Stereos: installation problems, stereo hookup, factory radio

Question
I have a 2004 Buick Lesabre Custom and I recently purchased a JVC KW-AVX830 which has a DVD player with LCD and AM/FM tuner and digital player - in-dash. I called crutchfield, and they basically told me that they don't provide a stereo hookup for buick's due to the fact that all of the cars warning chimes come through the radio. With that being said, is there a way I hook up the system with out losing those signals. I will also like to know what's needed for installing.

which do I need wiring harness, antenna adapter,
mounting bracket kit. Please advise because I'm totally lost. Thanks in advance for your help.


Answer
Hi Will,

Just about all newer GM vehicles have the vehicle warning chimes integrated with the factory radio, so it's not an uncommon problem.  Your car's installation will be more challenging, because of the factory radio design.  Instead of a wire harness and plug that's attached to the back of the radio, your factory radio is connected through a fixed set of contacts mounted on the rear of the radio cavity.  This makes installing a new head unit more difficult, because the contact set needs to be dismounted and moved out of the way for the new head unit to fit.  Often, it's necessary to cut away some of the plastic at the rear of the radio cavity as well.

There are adapters made specifically for your type of vehicle, which will keep the warning chime system working with a new head unit.  If your car is equipped with Onstar, you'll need a Metra GMOS-05 adapter.  If you don't have Onstar, or don't need to keep it working, you can  use the GMRC-04 instead; it might be a bit less expensive.

You'll need a mounting kit to adapt the new head unit to the dash opening; look for a Metra 99-2003 kit.  Finally, an antenna adapter will be required to connect the stock antenna; the Metra part number is 40-VW10 (it will be labeled as a Volkswagen adapter, but it's the right part for your car).

If you have steering wheel controls for the audio system, and want to keep them working, look for a Metra ASWC interface.  This only works if your new head unit has a wired remote connection on the rear.

Hope this helps!

Brian