Factory GPS

[Redog]

OK I bought this a while ago and still trying to get it to work right.

Cliff has been helping me a lot

Here's the problem.

The radio doesn't turn off when the key is off and out of the ign. I swapped a wire for the ign and battery and all it did was blow the fuse.

The radio stays on and lit I opened and closed the door thinking maybe it would turn off like the newer GM cars, but it didn't. The radio was also warm. I let is sit of 10 mintues and it didn't turn off.

Any ideas?

[Kilroy]

Turn the radio off when you get out?? (just kidding) By the sounds of it, you have the main power wire running to an always powered connection. Maybe the wire you swapped for the ign, was the wrong one?? Are you sure you have the proper wiring diagrams for everything?

[Redog]

Yes I have the correct wiring in place.

Cliff gave me the wiring diagram and I cross checked it with Crutchfield's website and they matched.

There is no acc wire. This radio turns on with the wire from the Serial Buss and a constant for Battery. There is no hook-up for an acc/ign wire. this radio doesn't use it :eek:

BTW when I say it doesn't turn off. I mean the backlighting, radio and clock. EVERYTHING is still on and stayed that way for the 12 minutes I had it hooked up (thinking maybe it would have turned off after 10 mintues.

I'm going to call the dealership tomorrow and see what they think. They also told me that the radio couldn't be installed in the Alero. It wouldn't work :rolleyes2:

[Valley olds]

Im having a similar problem with mine. What I do is, when Im turning the car off, rather than just pull the key completely back to turn it off, first I turn it to power, then Accessory, and finally off. Usually when I just take it completely back, it wont turn off (even when I open the doors). Im thinking its the ignition switch or something.

[Gr1m]

if it was me i would just chop the wires at the plug and manually splice them into the car, thats just me though

[cherrington17]

you could probably do what you originally were planning... just with a diode in the line. (to avoid backfeeding power to the fuse you blew)

but honestly... i'd need ALOT more detail about what your doing and how it works to give proper advice.

[Redog]

There's really nothing to tell.

I bought the 32 pin "in car" buss for the Alero and the 24 pin "in radio" buss for the radio and I twisted all the wires together. When everything's working right, my buddy's going to soder everything up for me.

This way I have a GM Factory headunit with GPS ;)

[AleroDrime]

um i like the trick cheery taought me on fuse tapping with my variation, tap ur sunroof fuse

[billytheman1188]

ken, what GPS did you get? pics?

i definitely wanna do something like this in the near future.....

[Cliff8928]

BTW when I say it doesn't turn off. I mean the backlighting, radio and clock. EVERYTHING is still on and stayed that way for the 12 minutes I had it hooked up (thinking maybe it would have turned off after 10 mintues.

I'm going to call the dealership tomorrow and see what they think. They also told me that the radio couldn't be installed in the Alero. It wouldn't work :rolleyes2:

The dealer will probably refuse to help you with anything. They don't like dealing with "modifications" like that.

I was just wondering what produces the chimes on the 99-00? Do they come from the BCM or is there a module for them? I couldn't find any info in the service manual at all on that. There may be a conflict with that because there are two devices that are trying to do the same thing on the data bus.

The worst case scenario is that you relay the Class 2 data bus wire. It's not the best way to do it, but it will work.

Do you get the Oldsmobile splash screen when the radio is turned on? Is it theftlocked?

[Redog]

I get the Oldsmobile Screen then the Theftlock, but only when I turn the car over, If you just turn it too acc, it doesn't do that.

How can I find out about that chime thing you are talking about? Where is it?

[Redog]

Do I need something like this? :ninja:

http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/METRA_VTGMRC02_AXXESS_p_4741.html

[Redog]

The worst case scenario is that you relay the Class 2 data bus wire. It's not the best way to do it, but it will work.



Do you think that will work? Will this hurt the data buss at all. Running a relay with the PCM involved makes me a bit nervous.

So how would I do it (if I do it?)? PCM to relay to radio, Ground, & ign

[cherrington17]

if it's not turning on, in acc... You have your acc power wire mixed up. Sounds like you need to recheck all your connections.

[MattismodderX]

my radio doesnt turn off unless i turn the car on. i like it that way because i can stand outside my car with all my buddys and we can drink/bbq to some bass. good fun. just get in the habit of turning off ur radio b4 u get out of ur car :)

[[ion] C2]

i never noticed if mine turned off by itself, i always turn it off before turning off the car

[Oldsman]

could you hook a switch that turns the radio off??? i guess would need to know how that circuit works and at what voltage. i am sure it either kills the voltage or sends the voltage to the radio.

[Gr1m]

^ that would be a pain in the ass, you should just wire it up with a relay.

[lonnie]

I got a 2000 and my (aftermarket) radio goes off with the car....just to chime in

[Redog]

if it's not turning on, in acc... You have your acc power wire mixed up. Sounds like you need to recheck all your connections.

It DOES turn on in acc.

How safe is it to run the relay. I'm guessing I would run the data wire and the ign wire to it.

I just don't know about running a data wire to a relay

[lonnie]

It DOES turn on in acc.

How safe is it to run the relay. I'm guessing I would run the data wire and the ign wire to it.

I just don't know about running a data wire to a relayI wouldn't do that unless you are positive that wire needs 12 volts on it. You could fry something. If the data wire has a small voltage you could use it to trigger the relay to supply something with 12volts. So if the data wire is only on when the ign is on and has voltage then you could use it to trigger the relay.

[Gr1m]

It DOES turn on in acc.

How safe is it to run the relay. I'm guessing I would run the data wire and the ign wire to it.

I just don't know about running a data wire to a relay

relays are safe, its just a box that triggers a switch which connects 2 lines

[billytheman1188]

ken, what GPS did you get? pics?

i definitely wanna do something like this in the near future.....


still waiting on an answer:whistle:

[Cliff8928]

I get the Oldsmobile Screen then the Theftlock, but only when I turn the car over, If you just turn it too acc, it doesn't do that.

How can I find out about that chime thing you are talking about? Where is it?

So, you get the radio working when it's in "ACC" as if it were normal (delphi splash screen). Then when you put it in RUN it goes theftlocked?

I'm talking about where the noise comes from in your car already. The 2001-2004 doesn't have that.

Do you think that will work? Will this hurt the data buss at all. Running a relay with the PCM involved makes me a bit nervous.

So how would I do it (if I do it?)? PCM to relay to radio, Ground, & ign

It should be no worse than un plugging it and plugging it back in.

if it's not turning on, in acc... You have your acc power wire mixed up. Sounds like you need to recheck all your connections.

Fail at comprehension there... The radio is not getting a proper power mode message from the BCM to shut off. However the ACC and RUN ones appear to be working correctly.

If I shut the key off in my Alero, the radio usually powers of at the same time the gauge cluster does.

I wouldn't do that unless you are positive that wire needs 12 volts on it. You could fry something. If the data wire has a small voltage you could use it to trigger the relay to supply something with 12volts. So if the data wire is only on when the ign is on and has voltage then you could use it to trigger the relay.

The wire only needs to supply or disconnect the serial data wire. That's what the relay would be used for

still waiting on an answer:whistle:

GMT257 INR

[Redog]

I GOT IT WORKING CORRECTLY TODAY :yahoo: :dance1::yahoo: :dance1::yahoo::dance1::yahoo::dance1:

No more of :hissyfit:or :gun: and def no :Rage: but I can't rule out any :censored: when I trim the box and tuck the hardnesses and relay, but it will be worth it.

My buddy at work will be sodering all the wires for me :ninja:

[lonnie]

I GOT IT WORKING CORRECTLY TODAY :yahoo: :dance1::yahoo: :dance1::yahoo::dance1::yahoo::dance1:

No more of :hissyfit:or :gun: and def no :Rage: but I can't rule out any :censored: when I trim the box and tuck the hardnesses and relay, but it will be worth it.

My buddy at work will be sodering all the wires for me :ninja:
Can we get some pics...I want to see this...I bet it's nice!

[Nate's Alero]

Can we get some pics...I want to see this...I bet it's nice!

i agree, its a stock radio? but its got GPS and shizz.... neat i want one

[Oldsman]

I GOT IT WORKING CORRECTLY TODAY :yahoo: :dance1::yahoo: :dance1::yahoo::dance1::yahoo::dance1:

No more of :hissyfit:or :gun: and def no :Rage: but I can't rule out any :censored: when I trim the box and tuck the hardnesses and relay, but it will be worth it.

My buddy at work will be sodering all the wires for me :ninja:

Ken let me know how you did. cause if it is working in your car it will work in mine.

[lonnie]

Where are you guys picking these up from?

[Redog]

eBay:

Here are pics of it working, but it's not mounted in the dash ;)

Like I said my co-worker is going to solder all the connections for me. I used a relay for the data bus wire and the ign wire for the 12 volt conection.

Gawd, I hate working with relays, the one I have is labeled 2 different ways. The diagram on top is correct, but the pins on the bottom are labled totally different :rolleyes2:

[itsbmw]

Nice :) I hate that version of the GPS tho :'( Touchscreen ftw..

[lonnie]

eBay:

Here are pics of it working, but it's not mounted in the dash ;)

Like I said my co-worker is going to solder all the connections for me. I used a relay for the data bus wire and the ign wire for the 12 volt conection.

Gawd, I hate working with relays, the one I have is labeled 2 different ways. The diagram on top is correct, but the pins on the bottom are labled totally different :rolleyes2:Hey is that the Delphi that I have seen for like 400 on ebay? I hope you do a write up on installing those I would be interested in doing that myself...price has got to come down though. Looking good...keep us up to date please!!

Hey did you have to get the antenna seperately, and where did you pick that up?

[Nate's Alero]

Hey is that the Delphi that I have seen for like 400 on ebay? I hope you do a write up on installing those I would be interested in doing that myself...price has got to come down though. Looking good...keep us up to date please!!

Hey did you have to get the antenna seperately, and where did you pick that up?

agreed, you NEED to do a how to, i WILL do it fi you do, PLEEEEEEEEEZE??

[Redog]

I can't take all the credit on the how to. Cliff helped me out a lot.

I will post a How-To. The sad thing is a trip to the dealer is neccessary since you need a GM scanner to unlock the theftlock

[Redog]

Nice :) I hate that version of the GPS tho :'( Touchscreen ftw..


I understand the touchscreen FTW, but after about a year, they look like crap from being touched so much

[Nate's Alero]

but after about a year, they look like crap from being touched so much

sounds like a hooker LOL

srsly tho, i really wont one, how does it work? sound as good as stock?

[01OldsAleroGt]

OMFG I LOVE THAT.. looks 10x better than the pioneer deck i was lookin at

[lonnie]

I can't take all the credit on the how to. Cliff helped me out a lot.

I will post a How-To. The sad thing is a trip to the dealer is neccessary since you need a GM scanner to unlock the theftlock
That was the next thing I was going to ask.....How much does it cost to get it programmed? I read something that they have to program it for your vin number. I got to say this is the best mod yet for audio in these cars.

[Redog]

srsly tho, i really wont one, how does it work? sound as good as stock?

Sounds better than stock IMO, but not like those aftermarket systems that guys have and spend a ton of cash on?


OMFG I LOVE THAT.. looks 10x better than the pioneer deck i was lookin at

And I bet the Pioneer one doesn't say "Oldsmobile" when you start the car ;)

That was the next thing I was going to ask.....How much does it cost to get it programmed? I read something that they have to program it for your vin number. I got to say this is the best mod yet for audio in these cars.

I heard around $60 but I have yet to call around and ask. IDK if the radio has to be hooked up or if you can just take the radio to a dealership and have it done out of the car. That is the way I would like it done.

The only problem is that the buttons light up white, not blue. There is a radio that lights up blue, but the part numbers are always the same. I gotta see if I can fix the blue lights issue :ninja:

Pic is a little hard to see, but I had to do it quick before it locked out

[AleroDrime]

how much did that unit cost and do you have to pay for gps service or is it just a one time deal to get it programmed?

[Oldsnut]

Ken, funny thing is I didn't pay any attention to this until Saturday AM and decided to click on the thread. Very interesting writeup on this. I know Cliff did this to his car and really didn't worry about it much because I only had the Final 500 at the time. Now that we have a 2nd Alero I am very interested in doing this project. I spoke to Cliff while at Scots house on Saturday and it seems very doable.

My question is where did you find it and how much for the unit?

[Cliff8928]

I understand the touchscreen FTW, but after about a year, they look like crap from being touched so much

My TNR still looks fine. You can only really see the touched spots when it's off. and they clean right off.

I will say that the INR will probably fit the bezel a little better. On mine a small portion of the screen goes under the bezel.

That was the next thing I was going to ask.....How much does it cost to get it programmed? I read something that they have to program it for your vin number. I got to say this is the best mod yet for audio in these cars.

They don't program the VIN to it, it's more like the Tech2 clears the old VIN information from it so that it will acquire the VIN from the car on the next power cycle.


And I bet the Pioneer one doesn't say "Oldsmobile" when you start the car ;)

I heard around $60 but I have yet to call around and ask. IDK if the radio has to be hooked up or if you can just take the radio to a dealership and have it done out of the car. That is the way I would like it done.

The only problem is that the buttons light up white, not blue. There is a radio that lights up blue, but the part numbers are always the same. I gotta see if I can fix the blue lights issue :ninja:

Some of the aftermarket ones can display custom images, but they still don't look original like this does.

Your problem is going to be getting the dealer technicians to put in the incorrect information into the Tech2 to get them to clear it. They usually don't like modified things.

The radio has to be powered up in order to clear it. Most places don't have a bench-testing setup to clear the radios so it would have to be installed in the car.

I wasn't aware of any of the INRs with blue buttons, but it would be cool if there were.

how much did that unit cost and do you have to pay for gps service or is it just a one time deal to get it programmed?

It works like any other GPS setup. All of the map data is on a DVD inserted into the unit. And before someone asks.... No, it can't play movies.

[AleroDrime]

is the map data downloaded into the units memory or must the cd be in while navigating each time, sry the gps i use for trips is a portable dashtop unit

[lonnie]

You know I thought that thing played DVD's too....well I don't want it now but it is still cool!

[Redog]

The newer ones play DVD's, but I don't think they will work in the Alero.

1999-2000 models require a "re-pin" newer Aleros are plug and play. Cliff can you verify ;)

[lonnie]

The newer ones play DVD's, but I don't think they will work in the Alero.

1999-2000 models require a "re-pin" newer Aleros are plug and play. Cliff can you verify ;)
Are there any video inputs on it, to maybe hook an after market dvd player up? When you say repin you are talking about just rewiring the harness correct?

[Cliff8928]

is the map data downloaded into the units memory or must the cd be in while navigating each time, sry the gps i use for trips is a portable dashtop unit

The DVD is in the drive the whole time. So that rules it out as an audio source while using it. You can however add on a CD changer, XM Radio, etc...

You know I thought that thing played DVD's too....well I don't want it now but it is still cool!

Only the map DVD. There is no MPEG decoder built into it.

The newer ones play DVD's, but I don't think they will work in the Alero.

1999-2000 models require a "re-pin" newer Aleros are plug and play. Cliff can you verify ;)

You might be able to modify some other ones that play DVDs to go in the Alero (like the one in the Corvette, GP or older Cadillac).

The only thing you have do do to install it into a newer Alero is add the VSS wire to make the GPS movement smoother. It's not even 100% necessary, just makes it nicer and is the proper way for it to be installed.

Are there any video inputs on it, to maybe hook an after market dvd player up? When you say repin you are talking about just rewiring the harness correct?

There are aftermarket solutions for both the INR and TNR models to add a video input which would work like this. I actually have one, but not for that purpose. I'm going to add a back-up camera eventually.

[Redog]

Well here's the update:

I can't find a place that can successfully unlock the radio. I know it can be done.

I took it to 2 GM dealerships and a aftermarket radio place that one of the dealerships called and they all said the same thing, "It can't be done"

I just read instructions on the Chevy SSR Fourm (and they used the same radio) and I doubt they are using the same set of directions that I saw here.

The problem is, I cannot get my hands on a GM Tech II tool. It's a $4500 unit and stores like Pep Boys don't loan them out, let alone have them. I asked my wife if her school has one that I could use, on their grounds of course, but she doubts it too.

I could call a few more dealerships but I'm starting to lose hope here. Like I said I know it can be done.

If I sell the unit, I will also be selling the Nav Antenna. I have a price in mind. I will not sell for less than that. It's exactly what I paid for it. ;)

[cherrington17]

gotta love when mechanics must know more then you, and therefore, will NOT listen to you when you tell them something that they didn't know was possible.

[Gr1m]

If I sell the unit, I will also be selling the Nav Antenna. I have a price in mind. I will not sell for less than that. It's exactly what I paid for it. ;)

good luck selling it on here after you just told people what a hard time your having unlocking it....it can be done so im sure someone would snatch it

[Cliff8928]

Well here's the update:

I can't find a place that can successfully unlock the radio. I know it can be done.


Ken, Just send it to me and I'll get it unlocked and send it back. The thing is, you have to try and be there when the technician is there doing it so you can direct him how it's done. Fortunately I know a place that has a Tech 2.

[cavaliers60]

Really all someone has to do is call around... if you find a place that can do it, then buy it from him.

[Redog]

Ken, Just send it to me and I'll get it unlocked and send it back. The thing is, you have to try and be there when the technician is there doing it so you can direct him how it's done. Fortunately I know a place that has a Tech 2.

Really you can do that for me?!?!?

I have your address but can't make out the street name

[Bad99Olds]

wow you are one lucky son of a bitch... lol

[Redog]

^^ For real.

I'm super grateful for this.

I'll send Cliff the money also to ship it back. It's only $15 with all the extra insurance ;)

[zzyzzx]

I want to see pics when you finally have it installed in your dash.
I'm also curious as to what the factory service manual was about all this TheftLock stuff.

[Redog]

There is a How-to thread about it and there are pics of it in there.

I just got an iPod interface and will be hooking that up along with the Nav unit when I get it back. The interface requires a littie bit of modifaction to have the GPS work correctly (VSS wire) but I'll show that in the How to. I'm going to close the old one and re-write it