How Do You Install A New Sound System

[ocean4200]

Hello,

 

I would like to get some information on how to install a sound system (replacing the factory one). I would like to change the 4 speakers and tweeters and also install a brand new radio and an amp. The problem I have is with the On-Star system... Anyone knows how to make the sound from On-Star goes to to amp I will install? Also, is there any website that explain the whole procedure to install everything with advices? Maybe you guys have advices to share to me

 

Concretely, I need information on how to remove the radio without damaging the main console, pass the wires (speakers wires, remote and main power) and remove the plastic doors covers to replace the speakers without doing something unwanted? I do not want to break anything so I would appreciate you guys share your experience with me to do this job. I have good knowledge with electrical/electronics/computers things.

 

Also, I need to know which brands you recommend for the amp, speakers and radio, wires gauge needed for the main 12V and speakers gauge. Which size of speakers I need for the doors? Anyone has specs of them or what can enter in the door?

 

I know there are a lot of questions but this could be a good topic and I promise that if I succeed to install a brand new system with On-Star working, I'll post all pictures of my installation in this post.

 

Thank you again guys!

[bill190]

I wouldn't touch a thing unless I had a GM factory wiring diagram of the vehicle. This would be in a service manual set for your vehicle which you can order from a GM dealer or here...

http://www.helminc.com/helm/Result.asp?Sty...0L8LQRHXFJP1KK5

 

There are all sorts of computers in new vehicles. Some upclass new vehicles can have around 70 different computer modules!

 

These all communicate with each other over several computer local area networks. So some of those wires are computer network wires. If these wires are shorted or cut, it is very possible your vehicle will not start!

 

Then sometimes modules are programmed with software to "look" for other modules. This is a diagnostic thing. If a module is no longer working, the other modules may turn on the check engine light as they have detected a problem with another module.

 

So in addition to the wiring, I would want to know if the software would need to be reprogrammed if I removed a module? You would have to ask GM that because they control all the software.

 

So is the radio/amplifier one unit? Can you remove just the radio without problems? Can you remove the amplifier without problems? Might want to ask your GM dealer.

 

So far as wire gauges...

 

Wire gauge sizes for 12V wiring

22 - 5Amps

20 - 8Amps

18 - 10Amps

16 - 20Amps

14 - 40Amps

12 - 60Amps

10 - 100Amps

8 - 150Amps

 

Wire sizes conversion...

Metric to AWG

0.5 - 20

0.8 - 18

1.0 - 16

2.0 - 14

3.0 - 12

5.0 - 10

8.0 - 8

[700 sportsman]

I know the link is to change the door handles, but it explains how to pull the door panel off