Security in stereo

[Haibane]

my friend has a 94 bonneville, which has a security system installed in the headunit that is stock. How do I put in an aftermarket headunit if the car won't start without the code in the headunit?

[FYRHWK1]

The anti-theft in the radio has nothing to do with the car, the radio simply needs an activation code if power is ever taken from it, like a dead battery, or someone stealing it. You can put whatever aftermarket radio you Like in there, even a double DIN will fit.

If he's getting a radio I'd reccomend that he use the American international K420 dash kit, the metra kit doesn't seem as sturdy IMO.

[Haibane]

We already put an aftermarket stereo in there and the alarm went of since the original lost power.

[Diesel2NR]

It's gonna be a major PITA to do, but you could relocate the origional head unit to the trunk. You might be able to find somewhere inside the dash where you could mount it too. I know that some airbag wires and such run through the Cavalier's stock radio for some years, and when professional installers put a new head unit in, they jack the price up to relocate the stock head unit to the trunk. Like I said...PITA, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

[Haibane]

I think we figured it out, thanks guys.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by FYRHWK1

The anti-theft in the radio has nothing to do with the car, the radio simply needs an activation code if power is ever taken from it, like a dead battery, or someone stealing it. You can put whatever aftermarket radio you Like in there, even a double DIN will fit.

If he's getting a radio I'd reccomend that he use the American international K420 dash kit, the metra kit doesn't seem as sturdy IMO.

yeah, the radio is separate from the rest of the car. You can install with no problems. If the alarm is acting up now, you have another problem.

[sr20de4evr]

Originally Posted by ponchonutty

yeah, the radio is separate from the rest of the car. You can install with no problems. If the alarm is acting up now, you have another problem.

not on all cars, on many GMs you have to leave the factory headunit hooked up (just relocated somewhere else) or the electronics start to go haywire.

[FYRHWK1]

Originally Posted by Haibane

We already put an aftermarket stereo in there and the alarm went of since the original lost power.

Very strange, I wasn't aware that 94's had an alarm like that, i know my 94 SSE doesnt, my mistake though. Good luck relocating that monster though, I dont know where you'd put it in the car, it's a damn big one.

[PaulD]

this was one of detroits answers to slow down the car stereo aftermarket (after the courts couldn't help them) .... I wonder how much thought they gave to making their crap sound better.

[ponchonutty]

Originally Posted by sr20de4evr

not on all cars, on many GMs you have to leave the factory headunit hooked up (just relocated somewhere else) or the electronics start to go haywire.

On most of the '98 and newer GM vehicles especially the G-ams, Sunfires, Cavaliers and such do. Relocating the radio is the old way of doing things. www.metraonline.com has complete kits to make a head swap a breeze.

If you look at this http://metraonline.com/locator.aspx?...del=213&type=7

You'll see that it just calls for the general GM harness. Trust me, I have done too many of these Pontiacs