Stupid Radio Tricks

katz · September 10, 2003

Hi everyone!

I'm replacing the stereo in my 1996 Tahoe (I have the "standard" Delco tape head unit with the remote CD mounted below the AC panel in the dash.) I've yanked out the old stuff, hacked together the wiring harness using the Scoche kit (so no factory wires have been cut.) The radio plugs in and works fine. The dimmer works, it gets power on ignition on, it saves the presets and gets a great signal.... except there is no sound.

I noticed on the GM-side of the harness there are two green wires (one has a white stripe), and they don't have a reciprocating wire on the Radio-side of the harness. Do those power some weird amp or something?

I have no voltmeter, so I haven't actually checked the speaker-outs from the new head unit (since it is possible those are dead.) I'd like to think I have a good head-unit out of the box, though, so where else can you suggest I troubleshoot?

Any ideas?

Thanks!

-Jon

99-2door · September 10, 2003

There are no external amps in a 96 Tahoe, so if you have everything connected properly you should have sound (provided that it worked before). What head-unit are you installing? Are you interested in selling your stock set-up?

katz · September 10, 2003

I'm going to go back through and check the head-unit with a voltmeter when I get home tonight. I'd be happy to help find the stock unit a new home. It was less than 100% functioning when I removed it, and I know there are places who can repair it.

I'm installing a new JVC DIN unit.... and using an aftermarket wiring kit and panel kit .It looks fine and hooks together OK. I'll post pictures (I wanted to post a success story) but this will have to do for now

Things did work before; the stock stereo would change volume at will and make it unbearably loud and then cut out completely. It seemed to relate to the SCV controls, but changing that to different levels and turning it off didn't fix it.

ridnlow · September 11, 2003

Make sure you have the wiring harness plugged all the way in.. when i installed mine in my 99 Tahoe i didnt have it plugged in all the way and i was only getting sound from the front not the back.. just something to double chec

wreckmster · September 12, 2003

connect the Blue remote wire to the antenna lead in the factory harness. this will turn on the amp under the drivers seat...

99-2door · September 12, 2003

connect the Blue remote wire to the antenna lead in the factory harness. this will turn on the amp under the drivers seat...

Amp under the driver's seat??

I don't think the tuck even has a terminal on the plug that corresponds to the blue wire's terminal on the aftermarket plug.

There is no amp under the seat, there is a airbag module under the driver's seat on 97+. I don't think 96s have even that though.

wreckmster · September 12, 2003

for sure you will not get any speaker output without the blue power antenna/remote wire connected to the new deck. Unless you are using aftermarket amplifiers. whether or not the amp is under the seat I'm not positive on. But I removed a box from under my seat and it was not the airbag module. I thought it was an amplifier/splitter/control box. When I unplugged it and the sound cut off, I was almost positive the audio guy was right. It could also be some kind of factory splitter of some sort and not an amplifier. But this box, if not powered will not allow the rear speakers to operate.

Actually I was incorrect in my wire color on the factory harness. The power antenna wire on GM harnesses are pink....Connect the blue antenna wire from the deck to the pink wire in the factory harness.(Pin H on the plug) From what I understand, this only controls the rear door speakers, so why his fronts arent working is another issue,. Maybe the high level outputs are bad on the head unit, or it may just be faded to the rear.

it's a good place to start anyway...

steve

PS, Nice Hoe!!

ridnlow · September 12, 2003

I didnt have to connect any blue wire to a pink one.. oh well.. i guess i got lucky.. The aftermarket harness worked just fine for me..

wreckmster · September 12, 2003

It may be because you have a 2 door... Do the 2 doors use the 6 speaker configuration? front door, back door and roof??? The 4dr's have 6 speakers, and this must be GM's way to get the door speakers working without a whole new wire harness..