What Part Makes Xm Radio Work?

Kawboy22 · December 14, 2009

My dad just bought a 2007 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab that was supposedly equipped with XM radio originally. He took it to someone to see what he needed to do to make it work and was told that he needed a part that costs $225. (He's already got a subscription for it since it was in his old Tahoe). It looks like he has the exact same factory stereo as my 2008 GMC Crew, but he said it looks like the previous owner may have had an aftermarket stereo in there at one time. I was wondering if the XM is built in to the stereo or is there a seperate unit that controls it?

c4cruiser · December 14, 2009

What radio did he have in the old Tahoe?? Was it an XM receiver like those that are sold on the XM website or at places like Best Buy?

Kawboy22 · December 14, 2009

What radio did he have in the old Tahoe?? Was it an XM receiver like those that are sold on the XM website or at places like Best Buy?

No, it was an aftermarket stereo and an add-on XM reciever.

Nytemare · December 14, 2009

The stock system needs an XM module to get the Sat radio to work. If it was removed...as it probably was if an aftermarket system was installed, than he will need to find an XM module. Try a scrap yard...you should get one for 75-100 bucks.

c4cruiser · December 14, 2009

What radio did he have in the old Tahoe?? Was it an XM receiver like those that are sold on the XM website or at places like Best Buy?

No, it was an aftermarket stereo and an add-on XM reciever.

Do you know the model number of the XM receiver? All he should have to do is to get a magnetic XM antenna, run the antenna cable to the XM receiver, use one of the power ports to power up the unit and a connecting cable from the AUX port on the truck radio to the back of the XM receiver. Then configure the XM receiver to use the AUX port as output.

If he wants to use the truck radio for XM as it was originally designed, he may need the XM module but he will either have to transfer his existing subscription to that module or start a new account.

Kawboy22 · December 14, 2009

What radio did he have in the old Tahoe?? Was it an XM receiver like those that are sold on the XM website or at places like Best Buy?

No, it was an aftermarket stereo and an add-on XM reciever.

Do you know the model number of the XM receiver? All he should have to do is to get a magnetic XM antenna, run the antenna cable to the XM receiver, use one of the power ports to power up the unit and a connecting cable from the AUX port on the truck radio to the back of the XM receiver. Then configure the XM receiver to use the AUX port as output.

If he wants to use the truck radio for XM as it was originally designed, he may need the XM module but he will either have to transfer his existing subscription to that module or start a new account.

My truck must still have the XM module installed (I replaced the factory stereo with an Alpine head unit and I don't use the XM on it either). Does anyone know where it would be mounted? Is it part of the stereo? Would he be able to use it in his truck?

jhbrennan · December 14, 2009

What radio did he have in the old Tahoe?? Was it an XM receiver like those that are sold on the XM website or at places like Best Buy?

No, it was an aftermarket stereo and an add-on XM reciever.

Do you know the model number of the XM receiver? All he should have to do is to get a magnetic XM antenna, run the antenna cable to the XM receiver, use one of the power ports to power up the unit and a connecting cable from the AUX port on the truck radio to the back of the XM receiver. Then configure the XM receiver to use the AUX port as output.

If he wants to use the truck radio for XM as it was originally designed, he may need the XM module but he will either have to transfer his existing subscription to that module or start a new account.

My truck must still have the XM module installed (I replaced the factory stereo with an Alpine head unit and I don't use the XM on it either). Does anyone know where it would be mounted? Is it part of the stereo? Would he be able to use it in his truck?

I believe the XM receiver is mounted behind the glovebox - pretty easy to get to.

coleman62 · July 23, 2010

so if you replace the stock head unit, the xm module should be able to plug into the back of the aftermarket one and still function the same, correct? more specifically, I am looking at getting the kenwood dnx5160. They sell some kind of link module for sirius but I don't won't to switch to sirius since i already have 2 years left on my xm subscription.

dlewis1111 · July 23, 2010

so if you replace the stock head unit, the xm module should be able to plug into the back of the aftermarket one and still function the same, correct? more specifically, I am looking at getting the kenwood dnx5160. They sell some kind of link module for sirius but I don't won't to switch to sirius since i already have 2 years left on my xm subscription.

You need to check out PAC audio's website and get the OS-4. This is what I used and it allowed me to keep everything factory and comes with ALL of the required adapters and black boxes. Your new HU will need an RCA aux input on the back and you can keep XM. You also maintain Onstar, calls, comes with chime box, and comes with the steering wheel control adapter. Crutchfield will sell you this for half price when you buy a new HU from them. You have to call and ask for the deal, and they may tell you it wont fit, but it does.