walk me through

[ccaps83 10+ year member]

ok so i bought my aftermarket radio. 04 alero. ive serched threads and got some basic info but still need help.

from what ive gathered my aftermarket wont work unless i run a accessory wire from my fuse box that only gives power with ignition on?

second im seeing i have to buy a special harness to keep my chimes and rac?

is these are both true can someone show me what the harness looks like and model number also how do i install the harness where does it go?

as for running the accessory wire how do i do it run it from the fuse box to the radio do i leave the acc on the factory harness alone and just go right to the aftermarket acc wire? anyone got pics or care to walk me through all this?

Click to read more...

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

ok so i bought my aftermarket radio. 04 alero. ive serched threads and got some basic info but still need help.
from what ive gathered my aftermarket wont work unless i run a accessory wire from my fuse box that only gives power with ignition on?

second im seeing i have to buy a special harness to keep my chimes and rac?

is these are both true can someone show me what the harness looks like and model number also how do i install the harness where does it go?

as for running the accessory wire how do i do it run it from the fuse box to the radio do i leave the acc on the factory harness alone and just go right to the aftermarket acc wire? anyone got pics or care to walk me through all this?

Luckily for you, I have installed on an alero before.

I dont knwo what harness you use to keep the chimes, I just used a regular one and didnt bother with it.

the acc wire you have to run replaces the red wire on the harness, newer gm's dont have a switched 12v in the harness, so you have to run one over from your fuse box, I like the atc fuse taps, you can buy them at autozone/advanced. Then you can put that fuse tap into any existing fuse that is switched, make sure it is a switched one so that your radio will turn off with the key, I cant remember which one I used, there may actually be a radio one you can tap into, best thing to do is to check with a test light, but be careful and stay away from anything to do with ABS or airbags with the test light.

 

[audioinsanity 10+ year member]

the fuse taps should work fine but make sure you know what ur tapping into. also be very carfull with a test light they can pull enough current to fry computer circuits in cars a digital multi meter would be better. if you have acces to your accesory wire from your ignition harness i would use that usualy heavier gauge and less chance of causing damage to anything else

as for that special harness just use a standard gm im an installer for bestbuy and we only use those because technicaly the door chine is a safty feature and we cant do an install that will disable it. the **** harness is like $120 too

 

[ccaps83 10+ year member]

idk how to test for the acc wire though what am i looking for one that turns the test light on with ignition on and back off when ignition off? so no chimes so this wont hurt my locks will it? i can still lock and unlock car? anyone know specifically what wire i can tap from the fuse box and this is on the driver side fuse box right? where do i run it on the back of the box there are wires coming out of the back of the fuse box correct?

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

...the acc wire you have to run replaces the red wire on the harness, newer gm's dont have a switched 12v in the harness...

what does GM use now for turn on? (I have not done an install on a new GM)

 

[ccaps83 10+ year member]

just called best buy they stated the car WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT THE SPECIAL HARNESS FOR THE CHIMES man if hes wrong id love to call back and reem him a new ***!!!!

just called metra they said alls i need is, Metra VT-GMRC-01 and it takes care of the chimes and 12v issue. u can get it on ebay for 70 id much rather do that.