Car Stereos: factory amp location, amp plug, factory speakers

Question
Hi Brian, I am trying to locate the factory amp on a 09 cobalt.Trying to install an aftermarket HU. installed an axxess wiring harness. I thought this was going to bypass the factory amp. headunit powers but I am getting no sound or anything out of the speakers. I even used a 9volt battery to get the speakers to clip.... to no avail. please help

Answer
Hi Vic,

Which Axxess harness are you using?  Generally, a deck installation harness won't bypass a factory amp--bypassing the amp means connecting the speakers directly to the new head unit.  This usually can't be done at the head unit location; you'd have to go to the amp to bypass it.  An adapter harness will typically be used to integrate the amp, which means you're keeping it in the system and using it together with the new head unit.  If you're not replacing the factory speakers, then integrating the amp is usually a better choice--for example, if you bypass the amp, you won't be able to use the factory subwoofer with the new head unit.

The factory amp is only present in vehicles with the Pioneer factory sound system.  It should be located above the driver's kick panel--that's the panel to the left of the driver's feet.  You can find all the speaker wires in the factory amp plug, and extend them to the new head unit; but you'd need to leave the subwoofer wires disconnected.

Hope this helps!

Brian