Car Stereo Question

Hey all,

I just started having this problem about 2 hours ago. but the stereo in my car (See below) started displaying the "Check CD" error. Put a CD in and it spits it back out. Turn the car off, it sounds like it is still wanting to ejects. tried putting in several different types of CD's (Both burned and original), and still the same problem. It spits out the CD and says "Check CD". (And it constantly does this, until, you put a CD in, let it spit it out, leave the CD in the tray and power everything off). From what I have read, it is probably some sort of belt in the player came loose / broke.

So, I have pretty much concluded that I need to buy a new car stereo, nothing fancy, tune some local radio stations and play a CD (And an IPOD input is nice but not really needed).

So, below is something I found that I think may work, but seeing how I know nothing about car stereos, I figured that I might as well ask.

Grand AM 2001 with the standard stereo in place.

http://www.cybermonday.com/pc____.htm?cat=529&cat=529&pid=381208&mnpos=589|4482|20|18|compare


And if this will work (Hopfully cause I think I can find a deal on this unit), anything special about installing it?

Thanks a bunch for the help all.

M........


(Edit: Also the blinking red light still blinks like normal.

And I am wondering (out loud) if I should just take this to someplace and have them do it)

Thanks again for the help

That radio would be just fine. It is not that hard to install the car stereo. As long you get the dash installation kit for the radio and the wire harness kit. It will make the installation much easier.

Was the car cold or the CDs fogging up ?
Might just be dust in the lens.
have you tried any can air duster stuff ?

That radio you linked to did not give dimensions so Im not sure about the fitment.
Along with the stereo you'll need an adapter kit to mount it in the dash . Probly need the module thingy to keep your chimes and other things working correctly in your 01.

The red light is the radio security.
If you disconnect your battery or the radio without disabling it you'll lockup the radio and it wont work with out having the code. The 3-4 digit # is what was used to enable the lock, by you or previous owners.

And If you're not familur or comfortable with wiring/stereos and such you might want to leave it to the pro's at a stereo outlet.

That is one thing that I did not think about the cold or the CD's being fogged over. But I will stand by that it is not that hard as long as you buy the wiring harness connector for the radio to connect to the GM radio wire harness. It is real easy all the wires on the connector are color coded and comes with what wires goto what wires to the aftermarket radio. If you do decide to install the radio I can give you all the help that you may need. Take a look at Crutchfield, they will set you up with everything you need to get the radio installed and at reasonable prices. On there web site you can look at what car you have and what will fit. That is if you are willing to install the radio yourself.

Thanks for the help everyone,

I made sure that the CD's were not scratched, fogged up or anything, they are perfectly normal CD's.

I tried again this morning, but no such luck, still "Check CD"

OK, I am looking at crutchfield and I thought I had a mild understanding of what to do and how to do, but they are suggesting that I buy things that I never heard of.

So, let me run thru this with everyone and make sure my line of thinking is on right.

I assume that I have the Monsoon sound system (Same system that I drove off the lot with).

For example purposes only, I am going to get a cheap car stereo, AM/FM/CD (with Aux jack in the front)

Here is the link (not saying this one, but somehting close enough to it)

The replacement AM/FM/CD player: (link to the local store where they have this unit).

http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=n&ProductID=22329&BrandStore=All#page

But it does not seem to be that simple, from everything else I read on Crutchfield, it is going to be a modified fit (no matter what stereo I buy),

So, it says I need one of these;


GM Factory Intergration Adapter

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120GMOS04/GM-Factory-Integration-Adapter.html?tp=3486

WTH? This part costs a 100 bucks and that is just to install a new radio.



Crutchfield Installation details

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-hAMKGa4AWch/cgi-bin/prodview/prodviewInstDetails.asp?I=158GT130&inst=8253



The Crutchfield Out fit my car link

http://www.crutchfield.com/app/popups/InstallationToolbox.aspx?I=158GT130


This also says that I need the following,

In-Dash Receiver kit:


http://www.crutchfield.com/p_120992001/In-dash-Receiver-Kit.html?tp=3121


An Antenna Adapter:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_12040GM10/Antenna-Adapter.html?tp=2569


So, just to vent a little

The car Stereo = 80 bucks
The GM Factory Intergration Adapter = 100 bucks
The Antenna Adapter = 10 bucks
The In-Dash Reciever Kit = 15

So, that is approx 205 bucks not including installation.

Isn't that kind of crazy?


(Thanks again for the help and advise everyone!)

So, is that it? Is there anything I am missing?

the adopter can't be $100 and why you need adopter like you will want to put original cd player anyway. Buy the player that you like (I preffer the one with orange or red display so it matches your interior dashboard lights and also the one wtih usb port) or you can keep the original radio in connected so it only lights up but speakers will be connected to your new player wihich you can install under your glove box (rigt under your pcm plastic cover) that is how I did on mine and you can use your remote controler to change stations etc, plus it will be hidden from outside so you don't even have to worry about taking face off all the time. I have the usb full of music and don't even bother with cd's any more. You will have to extend your wires. Find diagram for your player on this forum and get to work. Read instructions and try to do it yourself it is the only way to learn

GM Factory Integration Adapter module is needed in order to keep your door chimes and other things working correctly in your 01. So if you want your door chimes and audible warnings(if you have them) you will need the module. But there maybe other places that you can get the module at, and at a cheaper price. The one link is for the dash mounting plate for the radio, this is needed in order to allow the aftermarket radio to be bolted to the dash where the factory radio was. The antenna adapter is needed due the GM OEM antenna connector is smaller than the standard antenna connector and will not fit the aftermarket radio. The aftermarket radio antenna connector is bigger and the GM connector will not fit. If you need any more answers just ask or you can also send me a PM.

OK everyone,

(meant to post back in the last day or so, but .5 inches of snow in southwest Ohio, all hell breaks loose, and it is considered a major snow emergency).

So, I did some shopping around and don't really have any sort of good news, so I thought I would ask the group again.

OK, I think I found the head Unit I want ;

http://www.hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=n&ProductID=22461&BrandStore=All

Now I picked this unit for a few different reasons,


1.) It is not that expensive and I have an extra 10 % off (Hey I am man enough to admit I am cheap)


2.) It has AM/FM/CD and an input for my Ipod (Unless I am reading that wrong)

3.) It is a decent company ( ? )


So, that is the radio. (Unless youguys tell you don't think it will work, then I will look for somehting else)

With that being said, I was going to go to my nearest car radio place to have them install it, you know, stop in and see how much they are going to cost befor I bought the unit.

They are out of business

Went to the next nearest place, which is about 35 miles or so from where I live, and they said for the most basic install, with no parts, it would cost 129 plus tax (I about fell out , that was just for putting it in).

So, here is the question.

I don't know jack about this stuff, but if I paid 129 bucks just to have them put it in, I would probably hang myself.

With that being said, is it posible for a complete rookie to do this?

If so, what do I need to do?

I figure I will pick up the head unit (as mentioned above).

So, then what else do I need to get? And do I have to order them from crutchfield or can I go to like auto-zone and grab this stuff.

I would like to do this for the cheapest way but also the easiest way I can.

Cheapest would be do I need the GM thing for the car alarm sounds, No I don't need it and to be honest I would not miss it. So, if that is easy, I would like to go that way,

but if it easier to add the 100 buck part, then I will pick that up.


Thanks again for the all the help with this problem guys!

A mild update

I have found someone that says if I bring the parts and what is needed, he can help install it cause he has some back ground knowledge of installing car stereos (He just never has installed on a 2001 Grand Am)

Thanks again!

Also, what about this guys,

What about buying an identical match from ebay (Or place like that), is that an option?

Walymart sells the GM module for $25-30 not $100. And they sell the GM Grand am wire harness and mounting kit for realy cheap. ;)
Thier is also another module/plug that keeps your steering wheel controls working with out keeping the old POS stereo, not cheap though.

Then all you need is the plastic mount kit to mount the stereo in the dash securly.

Most install places try and sell you a bunch of stuff at higher prices.

:2cents:

edit...

Here is a link (http://www.pfyc.com/pc/GN8002/GAOTHER/PAC+SWI-X+Steering+Wheel+Audio+Control+Interface.html)to that steering wheel control, $57! :eek:

JVC is not the greatest brand, the second post down is the rating on it.
In the car audio forums JVC is rated as average.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=382679

This head unit also has sorry pre-outs, not a big deal though if you don't want an external amp.

That is a decent radio and the front panel has the 3.5mm stereo jack input for a MP3 player. It is not the best and it is not the worst. It is not that hard to do the install. The hardest part is taking the dash bezel off to get access to remove the OEM radio out. You can also check out Best Buy check out Kenwood KDC-MP235, nice radio. I have bought 2 and have had no problems at all with these radios. It also has the 3.5MM stero MP3 input jack on the front panel.