Car Stereos: Malibu Radio, premium sound system, aftermarket radio

Question
The factory radio in my 2000 malibu recently died. The clock/station readout came up with partial info then went black and the radio will not turn on.  I replaced the fuse and still nothing. I would like to install an aftermarket radio - any tricks i should know? What is antitheft lock?

Answer
Hi John.

some factory and aftermarket radios have the antitheft lock feature. when this function  is activated, if the continous power its cut of the radio (like if u disconnect the battery) the radio will enter to antitheft mode when the power its turned back on, does your factory radio lets you input a code, if it does and you try to input a code and u get it incorrectly too many times the radio will shut down for a couple of hours, sometimes a couple of days. check on your owners manual if your car has that function and it should have the code too. i would check that first it might be just that the radio its locked could save you a couple of dollars.

For the installation just get yourself an installation kit, and a wiring harness that would fit your factory harness so you wont have to cut any factory wires, they are color coded for easier installation, just match the colors on the aftermarket radio with the ones on the aftermarket harness, im pretty sure your car doesnt have a premium sound system but you might have factory amplifiers, so check for that first and if you do, connect the blue and white wire on the aftermarket harness to the blue and white lead (remote turn on) of your aftermarket radio.

the installation kit should have instructions on how to remove the factory deck and how to put the kit togheter so just follow the intstructions.

here are the parts you need made by scosche,
i think you can get this brand at wal-mart.

GM02B-wiring harness
GM1588B-installation kit

I hope this helps let me know.

Ed.