QuestionQUESTION: I have a 2002 Buick LeSabre Custom with door tweeters, I don't have onstar. I'd like to be able to hook my iPod touch up to the stereo, I haven't found an FM adapter that isn't crummy, and the tape adapter doesn't provide high quality audio either. My stereo does not have an external CD changer. So, I think I will need to replace the stereo in order to hook my iPod up to it. I called crutchfield, and they basically told me that they don't provide a stereo hookup for buick's. I've done some research, and I successfully removed the factory stereo, but I'm wondering what I need to install an aftermarket stereo that has an iPod hookup. I think I need a:
wiring harness (but I don't know which one)
antenna adapter (again, don't know which one)
mounting bracket, kit, since my stereo is a double DIN (again, not sure which one)
I'm not sure what else I might need, and I'm not 100% sure that I need the above. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've been googling for about 45 minutes, and haven't found a lot of answers.
ANSWER: Hi John,
Your factory radio uses an unusual connection known as "dock and lock". GM only used this configuration on a few vehicles, notably the LeSabre, Bonneville and Aurora. That's why it's hard to find the right parts to replace the radio, and the replacement tends to be more difficult (and potentially more expensive) than the norm.
If you're happy with the factory radio but just want to add iPod capability, I'd suggest a Peripheral IS77 adapter. You can find this in an online store pretty easily. It's an FM adapter, but instead of producing a wireless signal, it's connected directly to the factory antenna line. This gives you a clear sound, and at the same time it cuts off the connection to the stock AM/FM antenna so you won't get interference from local stations on the same frequency. This device will also charge your iPod. If you decide on this option, I can give you some installation tips; there's a way to connect it without removing the factory radio.
If you've decided on installing an iPod-ready after-market head unit, here are the parts you'll need:
Metra 99-2003 mounting kit
Metra 40-VW10 antenna adapter
Metra GMRC-04 adapter harness
The adapter harness fits the factory terminal plug that's mounted at the back of the radio cavity. It will generate the vehicle warning chimes that would otherwise be lost with the stock radio, and makes the power wiring much easier. However, you might run into some mounting depth issues with the new head unit. In my experience, it's usually necessary to dismount the terminal block and antenna connection at the back of the radio cavity, and cut out the rear of the opening to get more room for the new head unit. Installing the mounting kit tends to be a little more difficult in these cars too, because the stock radio is held in with spring clips which can't be used with the new radio.
The 99-2003 mounting kit includes single-DIN or double-DIN head unit options. You can install a double-DIN unit if you wish, but it will make the mounting depth issue harder to solve.
Hope this helps!
Brian
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: If there was a good way to hook my iPod up to the existing radio, I would do that. I doubt I would use any of the advanced features of an aftermarket radio, I just want a better iPod connection. Plus, I am somewhat worried that if I installed an aftermarket radio, it would dramatically increase the chance of my car being broken into. I currently never leave my iPod in plain sight if I leave my car outside my garage. I'm currently using a tape adapter, and the sound quality is not good. I've tried FM tuners in the past, and all of the ones I used are terrible, I can never find a clear station. It sounds like the Peripheral IS77 solves some of these issues. If you could give me some installation tips, that'd be great! Thanks so much for your help.
AnswerJohn,
I've installed the IS77 into quite a few different vehicles, and have generally gotten good results.
To install this unit, you'll basically be unplugging the factory antenna, and connecting it directly to the IS77. Then the IS77 has an output that connects to the back of the factory radio in place of the original antenna. This allows the unit to cut off the normal AM/FM signal to the head unit when the iPod is being used.
Normally, this means you'd need to make your connections at the back of the head unit, but in your vehicle this isn't practical. However, your car has a junction point in the factory antenna cable, and you can make the antenna connections there instead of at the back of the radio. The junction point is located in the cavity below the passenger-side A-pillar. The factory antenna is built into the rear window glass, and the cable runs above the headliner and down the A-pillar. At the bottom of the A-pillar, it plugs into another cable that runs to the radio. You can get to this connection if you remove the A-pillar cover, and the dash end cap on the passenger side (the piece on the end of the dash that you can see when you open the door; it has a vent tube built into it). The antenna plug and socket in this location will fit the input and output from the IS77, with no need for antenna adapters.
The IS77 also needs to be connected to a power source. If you remove the knee panel under the driver's side dash, and look along the right side of the under-dash area, you should see a plug with three wires in it. This is the power feed for your cigarette lighter. Two of the wires should be orange and black; the orange wire is the cigarette lighter power source, and the black wire is a ground connection. You can connect the IS77's power wires directly to these two wires. You'll also need to mount a switch, so that you can turn the unit on and off--when the unit is on, you won't be able to pick up regular AM/FM radio signals as well, so you need to be able to switch it off when you're not using it. The switch is included with the IS77.
Hope this helps!
Brian
