2000 Sunfire - Monsoon CD player no longer working

[2000SunfireToronto]

I have a 2000 Sunfire GT with the Delco Monsoon CD/Cassette system.

Lately, the CD would stop playing, switch to the radio, and the clock would turn to 12:00. This would usually occur about 1 minute after playing a CD.

Now it doesn't play at all. I can't even insert a CD. Either a CD is in there and it won't eject or it just won't allow CD insertion. Either way, the CD player no longer works and again after pushing buttons in vain the clock turned to 12:00.

I'm no expert, but I do know (read: think) that the keyless entry and the dash lights are connected with the audio system. So I'm concerned that replacing the audio system with an after market one won't be as simple as I'd like.

I've put this off for a little while since I now have a very short commute to work. But longer drives without my choice of music are going to be less bearable.

Does this issue sound familiar? What are my options?

Frank

[BlasZ24]

Well I have the same car with and it had the same stereo stock. I replaced it with an aftermarket unit and I have not had any problems with it. Now when you go to but the wiring harness for you there will be 2 options. One costs about $15-$20. Using it you will lose your warning chimes and people will tell you your airbags won't work. This is apparently a lie supposedly the airbags will still work, or at least that is what I have found from information on this forum. Your other option is a $150 wiring harness and you will get to keep your chimes and they will tell you it will allow your airbags to work as well.

I hope this helps you.
Blas

[2000SunfireToronto]

I'm rather concerned about the keyless entry. I'd hate to lose that functionality!

I'm a total novice... what are the differences between these two options? What does $150 for a wiring harness entail? This would be on top of a new aftermarket system?

Does anyone know in Toronto where I should go to repair this?

[Lefix]

It is so simple, buy a new aftermarket head unit, buy the freaking $15 adapter wiring harness, take out your stock head unit, plug the adapter in the wiring harness in the car, plug the other end of the wiring harness in the aftermarket head unit, and DONE!

be sure to get a mounting bracket too cuz the stock head unit is too big and the aftermarket ones are almost half that size...

Everything works EXACT the same except you will lose your chimes... no biggy... You WONT lose your keyless entry stuff...

Go to Cardomain.com, they give you a free wiring adapter, bracket, and a connector kit with any purchase of a head unit...

Here: http://www.cardomain.com/shop

[BlasZ24]

Like Lefix said you will not lose any of your remote functionality it still works like it should and so does the security system.

[2000SunfireToronto]

That sounds a lot better than what the guy at Future Shop just told me.

He mentioned a wiring harness at $90 and then with cables and mounting bracket it comes to $130 and then the factory radio would be stuck in my trunk??? I don't quite like the idea of that. Blas is this what you were talking about for $150?

If all I'm going to lose are my chimes (geez, I can't even remember what they sound like - I guess they're second nature to me now) and it's as simple as paying $15 for an adapter and purchasing a new aftermarket stereo (which isn't bothering me all that much since I wouldn't mind a new one after 7 years and I've never used the cassette player ) then I may as well just do that.

I know it sounds simple, but is it as simple as plug and play? Might be easy for you guys, but not sure if I'd have the patience to do it myself.

Also instead of a mounting bracket, would a Double-DIN fit in my dash?

[BlasZ24]

That guy at future shop is a moron. They only have to do that on the 2004 and up model cars. It is because the security system is wired into the stereo on those years and the car's will not start if the radio is gone. We do not have to worry about that. The harness I am talking about I think is just a replacement circuit for the one in the radio that run the chimes (looks like a little plastic box).

Using the wiring harness is as easy as plug and play after you connect the proper wires in the proper spots for each harness. This should be easy there should be directions as to which wire does what on each harness. When you do this it is best to solder the connections, but you can just twist the wires together and tape them if that is all you have.

As for the Double-DIN I wouldn't know I have no experience with that I just bought the mounting bracket. Beware when you buy the mounting kit you should try to get one with a spacer... My deck still does not quite fit right into the hole I kinda ghetto rigged my own spacer and the deck still hangs out...

[Phife]

If you go with the cheap wire harness you will have to install the headunit yourself, i havent found a place to do it without using the expensive harness. you will also have to splice a power wire off of your wipers (or another live on key on circuit) since the stock doesnt have a power wire to turn the headunit on. its pretty simple but if you have no electical knowledge it may be difficult. so its not exactly plug and play.

Also a double din may not fit, since the opening for the headunit in the dash has rounded corners it may interfere with proper mounting of some double din headunits.. your better off getting a mounting bracket and a DIN headunit.

[BlasZ24]

Oh yeah I forgot about the whole not having an ignition switch wire. I have hed my deck in my car so long I forgot about that. I never bothered with finding a wire that is hooked to the ignition switch I just turn my deck on an off manually every time.