Lights & Speakers Installation

Hey,

I just bought my first car, the '95 Sunfire and well there were some minor stuff wrong with it so I was hoping maybe I could fix it myself, learn something on the way, and save some money :)
The biggest problem I have right now (aside from that darn oil leak heh) is that my reverse lights don't work. They could either be unplugged (which I really really doubt) or I need new bulbs. Either way, are there any manuals that can help me replace the bulbs? I think I need 9007 bulbs, but since this is my first car, I need to experiment with taking out the light and I don't want to break anything :biggrin:
Secondly, one of my rear lights leak. So I have water in them. I think i'll need some sort of silicon sealer to fix it right? I guess if someone can explain how to install the reverse lights it might apply to taking out the rear lights and sealing them up so water doesn't get in again.
And finally, my left speakers don't work. I got a new deck and found out that my left speakers were already blown. SO I'll need to get 4 new speakers (since only 1 front and 1 rear are blown and they have to "match" :mad: ) Any guides on how to install speakers myself too?

Thanks a lot!

wow, you need a lot of help. If I remember right, the reverse light are mounted so that you have to remove the center section of the trunk lid to remove them. if not, then look inside the rear of the trunklid and look for the wires. As for the tail lights, pull back the trunk liner on that side, and there will be a wire harness that leads to the light. around it will be three bolts, undo the nuts, and the tail light will fall out.

the speakers are more difficult, for the rear, remove both the front seatbelt bolts at the top. pull down the rear seat and sit on it, feet into the trunk. remove the rear seatbelts from the plastic grommets. Pry each side panel of the rear of the car towards the center (where you are sitting). They are clipped in so be careful not to break the tabs, but it may take some force. pull the tops of each side as far down as they will go to clear the rear deck. pull the four press pins out of the rear deck cover. remove the plactic trunk side pieces ( they are on either side of the trunk opening and are connected to the rear compartment sides) again it may take some work. Now you should be ready to lift the rear cover, be careful not to break the seatbely grommets as you lift. when you have it lifted, it may be stuck to the rear window, so you may have to give a tug. now, slide it and yourself out of the car, grab a beer and start thinking about how you are going to cut the holes to fit your new speakers (GM's 6x9 is a little smaleer than everyone elses 6x9) I cut mine with a cutoff wheel and a sawsall and modded the trim rings to fit my new speakers for a factory look. once you get the speakers in getting the back end is still a pain, so have fun and buy really good speakers so you never have to do it again.

to do the fronts and any of the other things, I suggest you get a Haynes Manual (NAPA, Autozone, Advanced Auto, Wal-Mart, Local stereo shop maybe) as you have to remove the doorskin, and it is pretty hard to explain. it involves screws around the outside edge, the door pull (and a screw behind it I think), removing the Power lock panel and the mirror trim pieces, pulling out the bottom of the doorskin, and lifting it off of the door.

It's been a few months since I've done mine, so it's a little fuzzy, but I'll review the manual, and correct myself if it's wrong.

one more thing, buy the speaker harness adapters, don't be the jerk who cuts the wires and tapes them together, they are not that much $ and it is so much nicer to do it properly the first time.

You may need the new style, so make a drawing or take a pic of your connectors, as there where at leat 2 different type for the 95.

wow...sounds more complicated than I thought. Guess I'll get good speakers then. I was planning on getting cheap ones for the back (like a Pioneer or something) and good ones for the front (like Infinity or maybe even Alpine).

If you change your reverse lights, check the fuse and still no work, there is a switch for your reverse lights, but it is a pain to get at.
If you take out the battery and air cleaner, there is a sensor with one wire that is about 4" above that battery towards the fire wall.
Thats on a 5spd

Fronts actually aren't all that bad to replace, but it depends mostly on the aftermarket speakers and their compatibility with the GM factory mounts (whether they'll drop in nicely with all the screw holes lining up). At any rate, the door skins have to come off, which in itself isn't that big of a deal. If you have power windows, it'll make the job a little easier.

First thing to do is remove the 4 or 5 phillips screws along the bottom of the door skin. Once those are out, grab a 9/32 nut driver or socket and pull out the two bolts from just underneath the door handle. They're hidden fairly well, so you may need to search. After those are out, remove the one phillips screw just above the door skin near the A-pillar to remove that little triangular plastic piece. Then you'll need to pry off that oval plastic piece just behind the door opening lever. Press down firmly on the top of it to slide it down, and you'll feel it snap out easily. After that, if you have power windows you can start pulling on the bottom of the skin to get the panel off. If you have manual windows, you'll need to remove the window crank which usually requires a special tool ($5 from an automotive store). After all that, the skin should release fairly easily with a flat head screwdriver or panel too. Start from the bottom and pull outwards until it feels loose. From there it's just maneuvering the skin off over the door lever. You have to pull upwards to release the panel from the top of the door frame, and then it should come off.

After that, you'll see your factory 4x6. You can either remove the speaker from the plastic baffle, or remove the whole baffle itself and mount your aftermarket speaker outside of the car. It doesn't really matter either way; whatever works for you. Usually I just solder the factory wire onto the new speaker (should be red and black, so easy to differentiate + and -), and its easy to clip the factory harness back in. Mount your speaker and then re-attach th door skin. Sometimes it's tricky to get the skin to sit properly, so be patient with it. fire all your screws back in and then start the whole process over again on the other side.

Robbie: I unscrewed my lightbulbs and took them out. Guess what I found? Something that looked liek SILICONE or glue or something in the casing that holds the bulb!!! I got rid of as much as I coudl and bought the same type of bulbs (3057). It still didn't work :(
SOOO i tried looking for the fuse. I found two fuse panels, one next to my steering wheel and one near the engine. Which fuse should I check?

I should seriously invest in getting a manual for this car. And guess what else I found? Where the spare tire is, there was beer spilled everywhere.

Anyways :) yes it is a 5 speed, manual :P

Robbie: I unscrewed my lightbulbs and took them out. Guess what I found? Something that looked liek SILICONE or glue or something in the casing that holds the bulb!!! I got rid of as much as I coudl and bought the same type of bulbs (3057). It still didn't work :(
SOOO i tried looking for the fuse. I found two fuse panels, one next to my steering wheel and one near the engine. Which fuse should I check?

I should seriously invest in getting a manual for this car. And guess what else I found? Where the spare tire is, there was beer spilled everywhere.

Anyways :) yes it is a 5 speed, manual :P

OK.
The stuff that looks like silicone that held your bulbs in is dielectric grease.
With your reverse lights not working, there is a switch GM part number 10094661. Call your dealership and ask them to fax you a parts breakdown of where this is.
It is under the hood on the transfercase.
That will be your problem. 7/8 wrench(or deep socket) will get it out.
That was the problem with my 98. Change that and the lights will work again.

u think I should let a mechanic handle this or can I do this myself with no probs? Keep in mind that I've never done anything like this before :)

I found it fairly easy.
The way i had to do it was take out my battery, air box, intake snorkle.
I have also pretty much ripped my car apart about 5 times.
I would take it to a mechanic and let him...less headache for you.
Buy the switch though, it around $20cdn.

ahh..I need to learn this stuff heh. Gotta find some people who know this in my area so i can learn :)

Where are you from?
I'm in Medicine Hat Alberta

Mississauga, Ontario
on the other side of Canada hehehe

Thats way east!
What do you got for a motor in your wagon?

I feel a bit embarassed...i don't know what you're asking :P heh

For the sunfire, there are 2 motors available.
The 2.2L
The 2.4L twin cam.

i think i have the 2.2L...not 100% sure. Actually my parents didn't even let me research on the car or ask questions. They just bought me a car they thought would be the cheapest for insurance. I have look into all of this. Is there anyway to find out without going back to the dealer?

Pop the hood and look on the motor.
If it is a 2.4 twin cam it will say on the top. of the motor an an aluminum plate that cavers the top of your motor.

it's the 2.2L then. Cuz i opened it just yesterday, didn't see anything like that. I'll go out in a few to drive it so check it then.

For the sunfire, there are 2 motors available.
The 2.2L
The 2.4L twin cam.

95 motors were the 2.2L and the 2.3L Quad 4

2.4L twin cam was 96 on

Thanx.
I never looked at the year of the car. Looked back and seen ir after my post

can someone tell me the location of the fusebox and the name of the fuse that corresponds to the reverse lights? I want to check that out first. I found "headlamps" and "IGN" (ignition i guess), etc etc but nothing about reverse lights? I tried looking in tthe fuse box in my hood and next to my steering wheel, thx~

"GM part number 10094661. Call your dealership and ask them to fax you a parts breakdown of where this is.
It is under the hood on the transfercase.
That will be your problem. 7/8 wrench(or deep socket) will get it out."

did you phone?

I just took my car to my mechanic hoping he would be able to have a look and fix it all up.
First I had a problem w/ my car "chugging" (there's been other posts on this here in this forum) and he woudln't even check the car. He took it for a drove and said it's fine (even though it's a random problem).
The lights, he didn't even check. Said he'd do it if I left the car with him but I'm not gonna do that.

Maybe I'll try doing it myself if I don't find a good mechanic soon. I think I might buy the GM Manual for this car. The Haynes or GM Repair Manual. Won't that include all this as well?

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Item=978080199114&Catalog=Books&N=35&Lang=en&Section=books&zxac=1
http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Item=978156392375&Catalog=Books&N=35&Lang=en&Section=books&zxac=1

*hopes URLs are allowed*

It will, but the GM repair manual will be expensive.
Got some for work on the 2003 Chev Silverado, $1500cdn.
The chilton book should have everything that you need.

alright, i'll buy it tommorrow (all stores are closed today *sigh*)

Just wanted to ask..Haynes isn't good enough? I should look for Chilton instead?

both are good to have, but I have always bought chilton. Personal preference.

I read teh reviews for both the Haynes and Chilton versions of the Sunfire Repair Manual and people said that Chilton was more informative than Haynes. The reason why I don't just go out and buy the Chilton one is that I have to order the Chilton. The Haynes, on the otehr hand, I can go buy right now heh.

Chilton manuals I find are easy to use.
I like how they break everything down.
Order the Chilton.

Did you phone GM about the part number for the sensor?

yup, it's $20.15 canadian, but they have no illustration. They said it's easy to find, near the break pedal. I guess i'll go buy the Chilton book (rather order it heh) and then find where it is.

So it can't be the fuse right? Cuz I can't make out which fuse is for the reverse lights and neither could my mechanic (shows how much HE knows lol!)

No, its not the fuse.
I did the same thing, changed lights and everything.
Traced the source with a tester and that is how I found it.
As for the switch, it should be in the top of your transmission.
If you look where the brake fluid res. is under the hood and follow forward towards where your battery was (you have to take out battery and intake box to do this) and you will see it with a single lead wire. 7/8 wrench to take it out and done.

I hope the intake box isn't too hard to take out. I'll try it tommorrow or friday, depending on what I end up doing first, my speakers (i finally got the rear ones) or the reverse lights.

The box is easy to take out.
Take out your battery, then pull the clip on your fuse block under the hood. Move that to the side.
Take your clutch fluid res. of the end of your air box. I can't remember if there is a bolt or not, but your air box will pull out.
On the flat part where your battery was, look at the top left corner and go up a bit and to the left.
Allow yourself at least 1 hr.

1 thing I always keep handy for my car is a chilton book. They help alot sometimes you can get confused and what not, but the books are pretty damn good at keeping most stuff clear and as easy possible to follow. you should pick up one of those books they only cost $5-$10 at automotive stores and they can literally save you thousands if your willing to spend some time reading the manual and working on your car yourself. I highly recommend it.

the chilton book i ordered from Chapters was $37 canadian :( It'll get to my house probably 2 weeks from now. Earliest is a week :( Until then, I'm gonna try and see what I can do about my rear speakers. People here were VERY descriptive on how to install my rear speakers so I think i should be able to do it.

just tried installing my rear speakers. Wow, the panels were easier to open than i thought! As HotBug said already, my infinity reference 6x9s are too big :( Actually I called a car audio place and asked them about my rear speakers and they said that they're normal size and that it would fit. Of course I shoud know better than to trust a salesperson :) Anyways now I'm just trying to figure out a way to make 'em fit.

And the speakers are VERY magnetic...that's a good thing right?

yes

GM 6x9 is like say the fish is "This Big" a real 6x9 requires cutting and fitting. Try breeding a saint bernard stud to a jack-russel terrier bitch, same idea :D

yea I think i'll sleep on it and see what I can come up w/ tommorrow :( It sucks cuz I don't have any tools for this at home.

the speakers are more difficult, for the rear, remove both the front seatbelt bolts at the top. pull down the rear seat and sit on it, feet into the trunk. remove the rear seatbelts from the plastic grommets. Pry each side panel of the rear of the car towards the center (where you are sitting). They are clipped in so be careful not to break the tabs, but it may take some force. pull the tops of each side as far down as they will go to clear the rear deck. pull the four press pins out of the rear deck cover. remove the plactic trunk side pieces ( they are on either side of the trunk opening and are connected to the rear compartment sides) again it may take some work. Now you should be ready to lift the rear cover, be careful not to break the seatbely grommets as you lift. when you have it lifted, it may be stuck to the rear window, so you may have to give a tug. now, slide it and yourself out of the car, grab a beer and start thinking about how you are going to cut the holes to fit your new speakers (GM's 6x9 is a little smaleer than everyone elses 6x9) I cut mine with a cutoff wheel and a sawsall and modded the trim rings to fit my new speakers for a factory look. once you get the speakers in getting the back end is still a pain, so have fun and buy really good speakers so you never have to do it again.



Is this for a 2 door or a 4 door Sunfire?

I have read over this many times and I can't seem to figure out what you are talking about, so I am assuming that this is for a 2 door, because my 4 door doesn't have many of the things that you are talking about. Anybody know how to change the rear speakers in a 4 door '95 Sunfire?

he's asking what mtor is in your car the 2.2L or the 2.3L quad. it's easy to tell. the quad says quad right on the top of the motor. it also has no sparkplug wires. the 2.2L says nothing on it and has wires. also the 2,2L will have the aircleaner leading to the back of the motor with the exhaust up front. Where as the 2.3L is reversed, intake in front and exhaust in rear.

Is this for a 2 door or a 4 door Sunfire?

I have read over this many times and I can't seem to figure out what you are talking about, so I am assuming that this is for a 2 door, because my 4 door doesn't have many of the things that you are talking about. Anybody know how to change the rear speakers in a 4 door '95 Sunfire?

sorry that IS for the 2 door sunfire. not the four door. never done a 4 door.

Hey Guys, and Gals.
I'm new here, and in need of some good advice.

I bought myself a 97' Sunfire GT about 3 months ago.
Since then , no major problems, except a squeaky serpentine belt, and more recently, a problem with my rear blinker bulbs.

In the span of about 2 months, I've had to change it now three times.
I replaced it back in September, then again last Thursday and then it blew again on Monday , 4 days later.

So I was wondering if any of you fine people could offer me some advice as to what the problem is, or how to go about fixing it.

I hate to admit this, but I am a completely useless twit when it comes to cars, so believe me, any advice is better then what I've come up with.

OK! thanks .
Steph