97 Sunfire GTX General Questions

[Rynmik]

I just purchased a 97 Sunfire GTX (bet you couldn't of guessed that from the title) and had a few questions. It's my first car, so I'm a little clueless on a few things.

It has controls for the stereo/cd player on the steering wheel but they don't work. A quick call about this and I found out that to have this fixed by mechanic would be $350. They're not that important to me, but since they are there, is there any way I could fix them up myself? I'm quite good with electronics and wiring (lots of experience with home theatre/building computers), I just don't know much about cars so I'm not sure of the logistics of tackling something like this.

The other question I have is about power options. It doesn't have power windows or power locks/keyless entry... Is it possible to install either of these things? Is it something I could do myself or best left to experts. I'm not afraid of putting in some learning/work time, so if it can be done, I'd like to do it myself. I know for keyless entry from a few posts I'd need the dealer to get a key fob, but is it even possible to get it put in? What would I be looking at money wise possible?

I'm going to be picking up the Haynes manual as soon as I can, so does that cover anything like this?

Anyways, thanks in advance for any help. I'm really, really excited about this! My first car, and an end to driving my mothers gas-guzzling '92 Jimmy!

[hotbug1776]

a gtx? never heard of such a creature.

the steering wheel might be best handled by a mechanic, but if you use the Haynes, you might be able to tackle it yourself. to do the power stuffs, you will also need the complete door panels and internals. once you do the power options you wont need a factory keyless entry, just get a decent alarm and save the hassle, you get a nice alarm and keyless entry, and if you want to set it up, even have the windows on the remote as well.

[Rynmik]

Thanks!
It's an SE Coupe, It just has GTX written on the side. I've seen several others like this that were also referred to as GTX. It was originally bought in Quebec so maybe its a french thing... Crazy French...

[matt09524]

The haynes manual will not have anything in it about installing aftermarket things such as keyless entry, power locks (when not originally installed) or things like that.

The steering wheel thing can be done. The haynes manual has all the schematics for the car so you should start there to see what you are looking at.

[hotbug1776]

BUT... if you get all the stuff from a junk yard (just buy the doors, it's easier to strip them and toss/recycle the shells) the Haynes CAN give you enough info to take out the parts and put them in your current doors. You just do the removal procedures on the junk doors, and the installs on the good doors.