Installing Xm Radio Question

[gordow]

I'm installing a Xm radio into an 03 Malibu , and i was hoping to hard wire the unit into the radio harness instead of using the cig. adapter. The adapter that i'm installing looks like a cig.lighter socket that the Xm's cig. adapter plugs into and then you can tuck it under the dash.

I'm just wondering if i wire it to the radio that i might loose the "idiot" noises that work on the radio ,, door dinger and the auto adjustment on the volume.

I'm not replacing the GM original head unit ,, it's staying in place for am/fm cd cassette use ,, just want to remove some of the wires in front of the dash.

I hope this rambling of mine makes sense ,, in a nutshell i want to keep all the 'bells and whistles' that the OEM radio produces in the car now , but hard wire the Xm to work with the radios on/off functions.

Thanks ,,,
Gord

[madmedix]

I've got a Sirius unit in my 2001; but this pretty much applies.

1) I cut off the cig. adapter and wired the power cord directly into the right side fuse array with an add-a-circuit adapter (get it @ an auto parts store in the fuse section). I put mine into an always "on" circuit - handy if you want it to broadcast into your house on the timer function.

2) I'm assuming you are going with the FM transmitter function if your receiver has one...it would do wonders if your unit has an external antenna connector (not the one you mount on the vehicle for reception). You can make one from a length of wire and the right jack (usually 1/8" mono) and your in-car reception will be better and allow broadcasting into the house.

Doing it this way will allow a clean "extraction" if you change vehicles, and won't touch the databus wiring on the stock harness.

Hope this helps
Cheers

[gordow]

Originally Posted by madmedix

I've got a Sirius unit in my 2001; but this pretty much applies.

1) I cut off the cig. adapter and wired the power cord directly into the right side fuse array with an add-a-circuit adapter (get it @ an auto parts store in the fuse section). I put mine into an always "on" circuit - handy if you want it to broadcast into your house on the timer function.

2) I'm assuming you are going with the FM transmitter function if your receiver has one...it would do wonders if your unit has an external antenna connector (not the one you mount on the vehicle for reception). You can make one from a length of wire and the right jack (usually 1/8" mono) and your in-car reception will be better and allow broadcasting into the house.

Doing it this way will allow a clean "extraction" if you change vehicles, and won't touch the databus wiring on the stock harness.

Hope this helps
Cheers

Thanks for the info ,, i'll try and have a look for the adaptor you mentioned ,, i really would like to be able to tap into a line that would shut off the radio when the key is turned off. I have a couple of kids that use the car and i know that they wouldn't remember to turn off the radio , and i'm a little paranoid about the battery running down.

[madmedix]

Originally Posted by gordow

Thanks for the info ,, i'll try and have a look for the adaptor you mentioned ,, i really would like to be able to tap into a line that would shut off the radio when the key is turned off. I have a couple of kids that use the car and i know that they wouldn't remember to turn off the radio , and i'm a little paranoid about the battery running down.

You should have the battery run-down system on your car. It should terminate all electrical after 20 minutes post-engine shutdown? But, you are right: with young ones involved, can't count on finding it the way you left it

[gordow]

Originally Posted by madmedix

You should have the battery run-down system on your car. It should terminate all electrical after 20 minutes post-engine shutdown? But, you are right: with young ones involved, can't count on finding it the way you left it

The reason that i'm a little paranoid , is because while working on the install of the antenna i had the two drivers doors open and the radio on with the tape adaptor in the cassette and when i got back into the front seat to run the antenna wire through the dash , i noticed that the car wouldn't turn over , it was dead ,, then just the other day while mounting the radio , it died again.

Now i'm thinking that this shouldn't have run the battery down , and have come to the conclusion that the battery might be on its last legs , i've had the car since Apr 03 and haven't changed the battery so i'm assuming its the factory battery , but by putting a battery charger on it for only a couple of minutes , i was able to start the car up again with no problem.

Thats why i'm a little paranoid and wanting to put the Xm on an accessory circuit so that it won't run unless the keys turned over.

Thanks for all the input
Gord

[madmedix]

2 things:

1) The previous owner may have had the circuit bypassed. Mine was when I bought the car. The dealer (not a GM dealer) fixed it.

2) Before you replace the battery, pull off both connections and clean them and make sure they are tight. My car died on the freeway last year: after coasting into the service lane, I opened the hood to discover the positive cable hanging by the side of the battery . Tightened it up and it has been fine since (6 year old battery).

[gordow]

Originally Posted by madmedix

2 things:

1) The previous owner may have had the circuit bypassed. Mine was when I bought the car. The dealer (not a GM dealer) fixed it.

2) Before you replace the battery, pull off both connections and clean them and make sure they are tight. My car died on the freeway last year: after coasting into the service lane, I opened the hood to discover the positive cable hanging by the side of the battery . Tightened it up and it has been fine since (6 year old battery).

The connections are good and tight and clean ,surprisingly clean , that is one thing that i checked already ,,,i guess with the battery its a waiting game ,, we haven't had any really cold days here yet ,,another surprise ,though nice , so i'm guessing if it's going to give up the ghost it will be on the first minus temp day.

Gord