Damn Onstar

95 chev · January 24, 2009

Hello all, I need some help here.

I have a 2008 silverado non-bose with onstar. I want to replace the factory audio system with an aftermarket pioneer unit. New head unit, amp, and speakers. I am going to use all the proper wiring harness so that I don't lose onstar, chimes, etc. The harness that I'm looking at (Peripheral- GMAHLAN) says that it will mute the radio and then play onstar on the front factory speakers. It does not seem to me that onstar would play over the front speakers once an aftermarket amp is installed. The Interconnect between the headunit and amp is through the output jacks and I don't think that the Peripheral unit can control those outputs. Am I right or wrong? If I am right, is there any way to retain the feature of onstar playing through the front speakers? Any help is appreciated. Thanks...Joe.

dsmazz · January 24, 2009

With the LAN adapter, if you install an amp you will loose chimes, Onstar, and turn signal sounds. That's because the amp will be driving the speakers instead of the head unit. So your thinking is correct.

You need to get a Metra SP-2003 chime speaker. You then need to plug the chime speaker into the LAN harness wires (not coming from the radio) for the left front speaker; black wire from the SP-2003 to the negative, red wire from the SP-2003 to the positive. Or, get two SP-2003 speakers and repeat the connections from the right front speaker wires from the LAN harness. Then the Onstar audio and chimes will come over the chime speaker.

Since you'll be using RCA cables, no need to connect any of the speaker wires from the LAN harness to the new radio's harness.

For the turn signal sound, not sure how that is accomplished with the Peripheral GMAHLAN. If you had the Metra GMOS-LAN-01 harness, it requires adding a 30 amp relay, connecting the red wire from the Metra unit to #86 on the relay and the black/white wire from the Metra unit to #85 on the relay.

I like the Metra unit, for the simple reason their instructions are much better.

95 chev · January 25, 2009

Thanks Mazz, I was not even thinking that I would lose all the chimes by adding a amp, thanks for bringing that to my attention. The connetion for the chime speaker sounds simple enough, Just connect it to where the factory speakers would have went if I did not use an amp, Correct? (I looked that speaker up, and all I can say is, I'll have to find a good hiding spot for it).The Peripheral unit says that it does all the chimes including the turn signals (although I think that it comes as a kit with the T.S. relay included). Anyway, thanks for the reply Mazz, You have been very helpful. I'll keep you informed of my progress.

dsmazz · January 25, 2009

I had a 4-channel amp installed along with new speakers when none of the companies had any LAN harness available for the new GM trucks. I just ordered a new head unit from CF, and have been doing a lot of research on tackling the installation. Yesterday it only hit "0" here, so a bit cold to be working in the truck. Do you have factory steering wheel controls? Does the LAN unit you are using keep them? Or are you getting the PAC unit?

Z71kris · January 25, 2009

I lost my steering wheel controls, with mine , I also dont remember which unit I used for my install, its been a few years and I just dont remember

95 chev · January 26, 2009

Yes, I have the steering wheel controls, so I have to get a module for the steering wheel controls, it is suppose to plug right into the lan harness. Although I don't really like the controls on the steering wheel because I've hit them more than once unintentionally while making a turn... very irritating. What kind of wires did you use for the RCA cables and speaker wires? I have been looking at Monster for everything, including power.