stereo install

[RoadRage]

ok, what the hell. i had to take apart everything shy of the motor in order to get the stock head unit out.

5 hours later,

i have the wiring harness and my new alpine deck all wired and matched up with the stock harness. all the colors are matching, all cables connected aside from the remote, dimmer, and power antenna.

now, i turn the car on, and the deck does not get power. the hot (red) is connected, so is the yellow, and the ground is as well. nothing, as far as i can tell is shorting, i have all my connections electrical taped and what not.

so i should at least be getting a display on the unit if not any sound.

anyone have a suggestion?

[Pikachoo]

I think you have to connect the power antenna lead to the ignition. That's what tells your radio to turn on.

[lowlikewhoa]

how do i get the dam stock head unit out??

[mtkohl]

DO NOT CONNECT THE POWER ANTENNA LEAD TO THE IGNITION!!!!!

Are you intetionally trying to fry the kids car????

The power antenna lead is for doing one of 2 things......sending a signal to a power antenna (which the cavalier does NOT have anyway) OR turning on an external amplifier. THATS IT! It is an output wire from the new head unit, not an input wire.

That said, the issue is most likely the Cavalier wiring scheme. The 2000+ Cavi's have a f*cked up stereo/anti-theft system, and it may be more involved than simply connecting your harness. Unless someone you know has actually gone through the process successfully, you are better off to call a GM dealer for some info or maybe a stereo installation place. Either way, don't trust someone elses guess...........you are gonna regret it.

[Pikachoo]

Originally posted by mtkohl
DO NOT CONNECT THE POWER ANTENNA LEAD TO THE IGNITION!!!!!

Whoa.... I barely remember making that post but I sure don't know what I was thinking.

Originally posted by mtkohl
Are you intetionally trying to fry the kids car????

Relax, it was an honest mistake...

[mtkohl]

Its okay

Just wanted mine to stand out before he did something stupid.

[Kerbie]

Originally posted by Pikachoo
I think you have to connect the power antenna lead to the ignition. That's what tells your radio to turn on.

You have to take the top part of your dashboard off to get at the stock unit. its not really that hard to do, I did mine in about an hour or so. here is the how to that showed me what to do. its pretty easy to follow.
cavalier stereo removal

enjoy

[blakegonterman]

i talked to a professional installation center and they told me to run a tee off the ignition wire because the red wire that give switched power doesnt actually run any power through it. they said, tho, that you would lose the seatbelt ringing thingy and if you take it back to the dealer and they want to change something in the computer, well, youre sol.

[mtkohl]

Did you buy an adapter harness that ties the aftermarket radio harness/plug to your factory harness/plug?? If not, get one. Makes installation nearly fool-proof, and ensures that all wires that need to be connected are, well, connected.

[jules_23m]

can any one tell me how to take the dashboard off my '02 cavalier. i managed to alomost take the stupid thing off! but it was stuck where it connected to the passanger air bag. couldn't continue after that didn't wanna mess with the air bag. if you have any clue write back. thanks.

[ohio420jb]

www.teamforwardmotion.com

[5150cavy]

Originally Posted by jules_23m

can any one tell me how to take the dashboard off my '02 cavalier. i managed to alomost take the stupid thing off! but it was stuck where it connected to the passanger air bag. couldn't continue after that didn't wanna mess with the air bag. if you have any clue write back. thanks.

There are some screws in the glove box. U will have to take a flash light and shine it in there, but there gold in color. There is also some going along the edge of the dash that r black. I have had to remove mine several times do to add on goodies and other stuff but it doesn't take that long to do. If u have any ?'s u can email me i work for a gm dealer so if i don't know i can find out fast.

As far as the wire i connected both mine to the hot yellow the only problem u will have is the radio will stay powered all the time and won't shut off with the key.

[craazy7]

for 50$ at walmart they sell a lil box that fixes all that for you the cavalier has 2ndary's running through the stereo for different things