Dumb Radio

gmfan24 · May 7, 2016

So, either the lux amp or the INR nav unit or both that I swapped in started going bad a while ago. FM2 band stations were much quieter than FM1, and randomly for random amounts of time the audio would cut out alltogether. So I bought a new console harness for my truck (miraculously still available new!) and put my stock radio back in. Long story short(er), the integral cd changer tried to put 2 cd's in the same slot, and upon disassmbly to remove the cd's, neither the head unit nor the cd's survived the operation. After 2 days with no radio (although I could do without the chimes) I found a 15800000 TNR on ebay that came with version 10.4 map disc. $560 later I have a radio again, and a touchscreen too. Just thought I would share.

Gurrzt · May 9, 2016

You should have pulled the original unit and install an 8 track player.

gmfan24 · May 10, 2016

I dont get the 8 track comment. Maybe its funny because an 8 track player would be more reliable than the 6 cd changer.

Oh, and the navigation system works fine.

Daryl LBZ · May 10, 2016

That would look good in my truck. Nice find.

gmfan24 · May 10, 2016

Thanks. There were some "imperfections" on the nav disc, I improvised and took it to my favorite video game store and got it buffed for a massive $2.

gmfan24 · May 10, 2016

Sometimes I turn on the nav while I am driving around just to see myself moving around on the screen.

gmfan24 · May 10, 2016

Ok I lied. Most of the time I leave it on nav so I can see myself moving around on the screen.

gmfan24 · May 10, 2016

Oh and it works just fine without being connected to the vss input at the cluster. Been using it all day and it refreshes more than adequately fast enough. Funny thing is that its referencing a 6 year old disc, so I go into "uncharted territory" quite a bit.

gmfan24 · July 20, 2016

So... adding to my radio replacement solution, I got a CDX #15207055 on eBay that was pulled from a 2004 Escalade. Cost me $100, plus a spare cubby to cut up, slave harness, and another 12V power outlet to replace the lighter socket, so $124.22. Now I must wait for the heatwave to dissipate, and get a cordless Dremel for trimming the structure behind the cubby to fit the CDX. I'll be sure and get pics.

GM Bob · July 28, 2016

Having a few issues with my GM radio. The radio did not sound audible and the reminder chimes for the driver’s door. Specifically, the problem was noticeable when opening the driver’s door more than 20 seconds after the door was first opened and closed with the key still in the ignition. Anyone ever hear of this?

gmfan24 · July 28, 2016

Got my trimming done on the console. amazing how the alignment tabs were there for the CDX, yet the console wasnt designed to accept it. I had do do some extra trimming to get the connector on the back of the CDX to clear, in order for the unit to slide all the way in. There is nowhere to make a hole for the nylon support stud on the back, so I will figure something out. thinking about using some kind of chrismas tree fastener with a domed head on it above or below the unit, to keep the CDX from bouncing up and down.

And, the few tools I used to do the trimming

I didn't get a picture of my armor all 12v vacuum that I used to clean up the mess. Still have to trim the spare cubby that I got, and do the wiring at the radio connectors. I'll get some pics of that too, as well as what I do about the bouncing.

gmfan24 · August 1, 2016

In, wired, and fully functional.

My solution to supporting the rear of the CDX was remarkably simple. I cut a piece of 1/4" fuel line to length, cut it lengthwise on one side, and slipped it over the bottom edge of the rectangularish hole I made. Unit slides in easy, and fits rather solidly, with no movement. On a lighter note, I'm fortunate that my nav unit, bcm, cluster, and steering wheel controls are very forgiving. When I initially did the wiring, I hooked up pins 11 and 12 from the opposite of how I should have. Pins 11 and 12 are left audio signal, and common audio signal, so when I would try to select the CDX, the nav unit would freeze then shut down. I would also lose power mirrors, oil pressure, coolant temp, fuel level, voltmeter, warning chime, and the abs, sir, andlow voltage indicators were lit up. Funny that the turn signals in my mirrors still worked. Pulling and reinstalling the radio fuse cured that, after I fixed the wiring goof. Apparently I'm getting old because the two wires that I had backward are black with a white stripe, and dark brown with a white stripe. Just need to finish fitting the cubby/trim thing, and put some inserts in the console structure for the screws. I'll get some pics.

gmfan24 · August 2, 2016

Got my cubby/trim fitted. Only took 5 test fits. Not show quality, but it fits solidly. I am not super happy with it being faded and scratched, but oh well. I keep kicking myself in the butt for not just using scotch lock connector to splice the CDX wires in. Would have made it much easier to fix my screw up. Oh well, I have no intentions of removing my nav unit, so I will never see my repairs. But I know they are there. I'm not quite done with the cubby/trim, so I will have more pics soon. I was up late finishing the fitting, and I was in a hurry this morning, otherwise I would have more pics. I am going to cut a piece of trim that matches my convole light gray color to go around the CDX and break up all of the black.

Daryl LBZ · August 2, 2016

Looks great! What head unit is that?

gmfan24 · August 9, 2016

Thanks for the compliment. the cubby/trim annoys me because its the most beat up thing in my whole truck. I am contemplating making another one. The head unit is 15800000, the CDX is 15207055. The slave harness I got from a 2002 Silverado with a remote tape player. Very easy to get the harness out of those. Took longer to clean the foam tape glue nasty off of it than it did to remove it.