Installing a Aftermarket radio in a 01

Well I have my own Pioneer Radio and Want to install it into my new cavalier. So i went to Best buy, AudioExpress, and Custom Sounds and they said that if I dont get this special wiring harness thingy that they would have to put the factory radio in the trunk and run wires from it. They said that is the cheapest way they can do it. They said that if I do not want the factory stereo in the trunk they I can buy this other part for $80 more. They said something about the how the Gauges wiring goes through the stereo and if you remove it all the gauges and door chimes will not work. Is this true? Coming from 3 different stereo installers I think it may be true, And how hard is it really to install your own radio? Could someone maybe hook me up with a link to a guide or something about installing. I bought a repair guide that gives me the just of installing a radio, but after what the installlers told me, I'm not sure what to do.


Thanks, Eric

as you will read in this article, the only things that will be affected are your door chimes and OnStar (not guages)

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=321030

Thanks Bro.

Thanks Bro.

no problem

as you will read in this article, the only things that will be affected are your door chimes and OnStar (not guages)

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=321030

Sorry, i'm just poking around looking for info on putting a stereo in my wifes' new 05 Cavalier. What are the door chimes? I dont remember hearing a chime when I opened the door.

when you leave your key in the ignition or when the door is open a crack or when you leave your headlights on after turning the car off it makes a "ding...ding...ding...ding...ding" until you solve the problem...those are chimes

when you leave your key in the ignition or when the door is open a crack or when you leave your headlights on after turning the car off it makes a "ding...ding...ding...ding...ding" until you solve the problem...those are chimes

what's weird is that I have the factory cd player in, and I still dont hear those chimes.

Ok, but how do I get those bells ringing again? I bought a used 01 Cavalier, aftermarket already installed, and no chimes. I have gone through 3 batteries already . . . I NEED those stupid chimes! The radio was recently stolen (still haven't figured out HOW they got in the LOCKED car, nothing broken, scratched, just missing the radio . . . and ALL my cd's, which were in the glovebox). It was just a cheap single-cd player . . . I've bought a CD/MP3 player with detachable faceplate (with the long thingy, not just the two spots, so they can't just buy a new faceplace for it), so I'll make a CD w/7 hrs of music, and just not leave anything worth stealing in the car. I was told they may have stolen the radio for the $99 piece-part that connects the radio to the car, but since I bought the car with a cheap after-market radio in it, that wouldn't use the $99 piece-part, they don't know what to tell me. So, is there ANY way to make the chimes work after the installation of an aftermarket radio? I can't imagine the head honchos at Chevrolet are so stupid they would actually let the chimes (and the airbags, too, so I am told) be totally disconnected by simply replacing the radio. Wouldn't something that would disconnect the airbags like that be illegal?

Ok, but how do I get those bells ringing again? I bought a used 01 Cavalier, aftermarket already installed, and no chimes. I have gone through 3 batteries already . . . I NEED those stupid chimes! The radio was recently stolen (still haven't figured out HOW they got in the LOCKED car, nothing broken, scratched, just missing the radio . . . and ALL my cd's, which were in the glovebox). It was just a cheap single-cd player . . . I've bought a CD/MP3 player with detachable faceplate (with the long thingy, not just the two spots, so they can't just buy a new faceplace for it), so I'll make a CD w/7 hrs of music, and just not leave anything worth stealing in the car. I was told they may have stolen the radio for the $99 piece-part that connects the radio to the car, but since I bought the car with a cheap after-market radio in it, that wouldn't use the $99 piece-part, they don't know what to tell me. So, is there ANY way to make the chimes work after the installation of an aftermarket radio? I can't imagine the head honchos at Chevrolet are so stupid they would actually let the chimes (and the airbags, too, so I am told) be totally disconnected by simply replacing the radio. Wouldn't something that would disconnect the airbags like that be illegal?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-SymujnfW6vU/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=120GMRC01

Thats the harness I use that lets you keep your chimes.