4th Gen Stereo Upgrade FAQ - F-Body Online

Rocket 442 · 10-27-2006, 02:08 AM

>>4th Gen General Stereo Upgrades FAQ
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4th Gen General Stereo Upgrades FAQ

CAN I STILL USE MY STERRING WHEEL CONTROLS WITH MY NEW HU?
Yes, you can still use your steering wheel controls if your new HU uses an infrared remote control. There are a few different adapters available. I like the PAC SWI-X http://store.clubgp.com/catview.asp?catid=6 Sound Gate also makes adapters.
Can I add a CD changer to my factory radio?

Yes, if you have a 98 or 99 than you must have the tape deck. You cannot add a Cd changer to a Cd Headunit in the 98-99 models. If you have a 2000-up then it doesnt matter. You can add a changer to either the tape deck or cd player headunit.
What CD changers will work?

Of course the AC Delco 12 disc changer will work. Alpines 6 disc (M-bus series) changer will work along with the Alpine adaptor. Kenwoods 10 disc along with the PIE adaptor also works. And finally Rockford Fosgates 6 disc change with the Periphial adaptor works. The Alpine adaptor was KCE202b. However they no longer make it. You may get lucky and find a shop that has one left over or you could try to find one on ebay.
How do I add the changer?

Both the Camaro and Firebird that are equipped with the Monsoon system are prewired for the CD changer. The plug is located behind the carpet that covers the drivers side cubby hole. Its wrapped in foam taped to the speaker harness usually. Plug in the appropiate adaptor and then plug the changer into the adaptor. No adaptors are needed for the AC Delco changer.
Can I add a subwoofer to the factory system?

Yes. To add an amp to the factory stuff you can do it a couple of ways. The first is to by an OEM-1 made by PAC. Its plug and play with no splicing of the wires at all. It gives you a set of RCA (2 if you want) and a remote turn on. The second way is basically an OEM-1 but involves you putting a few wires together yourself. Still dont have to cut any factory wires though. You will need a line level adaptor. I recommend an PAC SNI35. Then you'll need 2 radio wiring harnesses. A Metra 70-1858 and a Metra 71-1858. Take the 2 wiring harnesses and wire them together, color for color. You'll end up with a harness that plugs into the cars radio harness on one end and plugs into the factory radio on the other end. The blue wire in the harness will be your true remote turn on. Then take your line level adaptor and wire it into the speaker wires on the harness you just made. If you tap off the front speaker output the colors will once again match up. Now you have a harness that allows your radio to work exactly the same as before but with a set of rca outputs and a remote turn on. Both ways are essentially the same thing, just that PAC has made it slighty easier. The second way can be found using parts that you can buy at just about any car stereo store but requires maybe 10 extra minutes of work on the bench wiring it. Either way the price will range between 50-60 dollars. Another option is just to splice the line level adaptor directly in to the cars radio harness. Perfectly fine but I dont like having to touch the factory wiring if I dont have to but its cheaper as you are only paying for the price of the adaptor and not all of the extra harnesses. You would hook the input leads of the line level convertor to the front or rear speaker out puts of the radio.
Where can I find a remote turn on for the Monsoon amplifier?

The Monsoon amp doesnt have a remote turn on. It senses current from the speaker inputs to turn the amp on. You can tap an iginition wire somewhere or off of the power antenna. Firebirds are easy enough because the radios already have a remote turn on. Just tap into the pink wire. Camaro radios also have a remote turn on but there is not a wire coming out of the radio for it. Get a connector to fit the radio harness (available from most auto parts stores) and plug your wire into pin #8. This is your remote turn on.
Can I replace the Monsoon amplifier and keep the factory headunit?

Its a little more difficult to do than adding a sub amp. It will require the use of two line level converters and then finding all of the factory speaker wires. You would add the two line level converters the same as if you were adding a sub. Once the speaker wires have been located , its a matter of extending them to the new amplifier. The new amplifier must have a built in crossover or the speakers will be playing fullrange. The factory has the crossover built in. If your amp doesnt have a crossover than passive crossovers must be used.
Can I replace the headunit with an aftermarket and keep the rest of the Monsoon system?

Absolutely. Its a simple install. All you need is a mounting kit , wiring harness and antenna adaptor. All can be found at your local stereo shop. If you are using a din and a half radio then you wont need the mounting kit. Heres the part numbers for all three. Mounting kit--Metra 99-3300 (Firebirds use 99-3009...its a better fit) Wiring harness- Metra 70-1858 Antenna adaptor- Metra 40GM10 How do I remove the factory radio? The trim panel around the radio will pull off. Once you get a grip on it, just pull and it will pop off. If you have trouble getting a grip then try using a dull thin object such as a butter knife to slide behind the panel so that you can get a better grip. With the trim panel removed, you will see 2 7mm bolts holding the radio in. Simply remove these and the radio will come right out.
Can I replace just the speakers in the system ?
It is possible, you can put new speakers in, and they will work, but it is not recommened. The factory system uses mismatched impedances, that will cause the new speakers to not be as loud. In addition, the Monsoon amp adds a good bit of distortion, and the new speakers will not sound anywhere near as good as they should. At best, it is a barely noticible improvement over stock.
How do I run a wire from the battery to inside the car?

Under the hood on the passenger side you'll see the PCM. Its far back towards the windshield. You'll see a lot of wires going in to a couple of harnesses that plug into it. Theres 2 10mm bolts that hold it in. Remove the 2 7mm bolts holding the harnesses in and set the harnesses aside. Then remove the 2 10mm bolts holding the PCM secure. Now you can turn the PCM sideways so that the part where the wires went is now facing the passenger fender. The PCM will now lift right out with ease. You could leave the harnesses attached but it causes you to have to struggle to get the PCM out of its cubby hole. You'll now see a rubber grommet in the firewall. You can fish your wire thru here. Now inside the car, go to the passenger kickpanel, up behind the glovebox you'll find your wire. Its usually easier to remove the kick panel to find the wire. Anytime you add any wires to the battery, make sure you fuse them within 18 inches of the battery.
What are the pinouts for the stock wiring harness?

Headunit wiring harness
Pin#............Color.................Function
1...............Grey..................Front Left Speaker -
2...............Tan...................Front Left Speaker +
3...............Dark Green............Front Right Speaker -
4...............Light Green...........Front Right Speaker +
5...............Black.................Ground
6...............Brown.................Illumination
7...............Grey..................Dimmer
8...............Pink..................Power Antenna
9...............Yellow................12V Ignition
10..............Orange................12V Constant
11..............NA....................NA
12..............NA....................NA
13..............NA....................NA
14..............Dark Blue.............Steering Wheel Controls
17..............Light Blue............Right Rear Speaker -
18..............Dark Blue.............Right Rear Speaker +
19..............Yellow................Left Rear Speaker -
20..............Brown.................Left Rear Speaker +
The smaller plug on the back of the radio is for the optional cd changer.

How do I remove the door panels ?

1. Remove the 1 screw holding the plastic triangle piece by the side mirror. That piece will just pop off.

2. Pop off the door lock indicator. Can be a little tricky but it just pops off.

3. Remove the 3 big screws. 2 are in the arm rest area. The 3rd is under the handle you grab to close the door. It is kind of angled upwards. I believe the firebirds may also have a 4th big screw at the bottom of the door panel near the map holder area.

4. Remove the black plastic trim that goes around the handle and holds the switches. To do this remove the screw behind the handle and the screw angled upward near where the 3rd big screw was in step 3. Pop the piece loose enough to reach behind it and unplug the wiring harnesses. Some people like to pop out the smaller plastic piece that holds the switches first but I like to leave it in as the clips tend not to go back on as tight. Once the harnesses are unplugged you can remove the piece by twisting it to clear the door handle.

5. Now the door panel is ready to come off. It lifts up and out...not straight out. It has "j" hooks molded as part of the door panel and if you try to pull the door panel straight out you'll break the hooks making it impossible to keep the panel secure. It may be a little tight to move it up at first. I prefer to grab the panel near the weathestripping at the top of the door and pull it up and out just enough to unhook it from the top part of the door frame. This then gives you a good place to pull the rest of the panel up.

6. Installation is the opposite.

How do I enable or disable Theftloc on my stock head unit?

"Theft-Deterrent Feature THEFTLOCK¨ is designed to discourage theft of the radio. THEFTLOCK¨ works by using a secret code to disable all radio functions whenever battery power is removed.

The THEFTLOCK¨ feature for the radio may be used or ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK¨ is activated, the radio will not operate if stolen.

When THEFTLOCK¨ is activated, the radio will display LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery power has been interrupted. If the battery loses power for any reason, the radio must be unlocked with the secret code before the radio will operate.

Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature The instructions that follow explain how to enter the secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK¨ system. Read through all nine steps before starting the procedures.

If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse between any steps, the radio automatically reverts to the time and you must start the procedure over at step 4.

Write down any three or four digit number from 000 to 1999.

Turn the ignition to ACC or RUN.

Turn the radio off.

Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down until - - - shows on the display. Next use the secret code number which you have written down.

Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.

Press MN again to make the last two digits agree with your code.

Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree with your code.

Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the code matches the secret code you have written down. The display will show REP to let you know that you need to repeat steps 5 through 7 to confirm your secret code.

Press AM-FM and this time the display will show SEC to let you know that your radio is secure. The LED indicator by the volume control will begin flashing when the ignition is turned off.

Unlocking The Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss

Enter the secret code as follows; pause no more than 15 seconds between steps:

Turn the ignition on. LOC will appear on the display.

Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.

Press MN again to make the last two digits agree with your code.

Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree with your code.

Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the code matches the secret code that is written down. The display will show SEC, indicating the radio is now operable and secure. If the wrong code is entered eight times, INOP will appear on the display. You will have to wait an hour with the ignition on before you can try again. When you try again, you will only have three chances to enter the correct code before INOP appears.

Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature

Enter the secret code as follows; pause no more than 15 seconds between steps:

Turn the ignition to ACC or RUN.

Turn the radio off. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down until SEC shows on the display.

Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.

Press MN again to make the last two digits agree with the code.

Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree with the code.

Press AM-FM after you have confirmed that the code matches the secret code that is written down. The display will show - - -, indicating that the radio is no longer secured. If the code entered is incorrect, SEC will appear on the display. The radio will remain secured until the correct code is entered. "

How do I unlock the radio if I do not know the code ?

1. Press and hold presets 2 & 3 for about 10 seconds until the first 3 digits of the display code are displayed

2. Write the numbers down.

3. Press the AM FM button, write down the next 3 numbers

4. Call 1-800-537-5140, when asked, enter 202107, press the ÒbuttonÓ and enter the 6 digit code from the radio, you will get an unlock code, write it down.

5. Go back to the car, press the HR button and set the first 2 numbers, then press minute button and set the next two last numbers, press AM FM button, SEC should be displayed, turn on radio To remove customers code, repeat step 5. you should see --- on radio face, the code is now out of the radio.

SpecialK · 10-27-2006, 11:42 PM

Sizes that fit

Front door : 6 3/4

Back Panel : 4"

Rear Seat Side Panels : 6 3/4