Those of you who work in stereo shops might be able to answer this. My girlfriend owns a 2000 Sunfire GT, and wants to get a system. We went to the local stereo shop and were told that she would need a "special" cable for the install. I think it was called a J-Cable something to do with RDS? They said all GM cars need this cable because the stereo controls the airbag and a few other things. Also the stock stereo would have to remain in the car but it would be relocated to the trunk. Does anyone know if this is true? Or know of a place to find them cheaper than $100? tia

John 96 GS

i dont work for a stereo shop but ive never heard of that. how could the stereo control the airbag?? i think by law the airbag has to be independant. i mean, if your stereo stops working so does your airbag?? that could be dangerous. im sure someone could shed more light on this tho.

-johnny

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the psychology of dealing
with a highway traffic cop.
Normal speeders will panic
and immidiately pull over to
the side. This is wrong. It
arouses content in the cop
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-johnny

"Few people understand
the psychology of dealing
with a highway traffic cop.
Normal speeders will panic
and immidiately pull over to
the side. This is wrong. It
arouses co

Well, with most of the new GM vehicles, unfortunately you do need a special harness/cable for the radio and it needs to stay in the car. This is because GM thought it would be a great idea and run some kind of data bus system through their radios... pure genius
Anyway, not all of the radios need to stay in the car, but since you said it had RDS, then most likely her radio will need to stay. Unless you get a cheap speaker, or if the harness comes with one, your gf will lose her door chime, because that too goes through the speakers... yet another example of fine GM engineering.

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."
-Albert Einstein

Thanks for the quick replies... We were told that if it said RDS on her stereo that we would need the harness. Well it doesnt say RDS anywhere on it, but the installer said to buy one anyways. This is making her stereo investment $170+ more than she planned, $100 for the cable, and $70+ for the "custom" install. More info will be appreciated.

John 96 GS

What shop are you going to and where are you located? I may be able to pull some strings and get you a better deal since I'm a part time installer for Circuit City (do it as a hobby and they want me to manage LOL...go figure).

Unfortunately she has the big time "stick it in my ass with no vaseline" car...a.k.a. the Sunfire and Cavaliers in those years. I can't remember how much goes through the radio, but I do know her cruise control and her fuel injector relay are two of the things. So yes, you do need all that stuff. You can get off cheaper and easier buying and installing an RF modulated CD changer. And unles you are going to a super shop that little "custom installation" they are charging you for is shit. $70? For what? I have installed those before and they are a pain in the ass. I charge an extra $20 for it...now if you want an ABS plastic box to mount the old radio in so it doesn't get hit with shit I'll charge another $25...but I'm still only charging you $45 over the installation cost....not $70.

Lemme know, I'll see what I can do.

ya, go with Circuit City! (I work at one too)
At my store, the harness is only 50 bux, and we only charge 75 to put it in. Definitely better than the store you were at.

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."
-Albert Einstein

I am in Phoenix. We originally went to Best Buy, because my gf has a best buy card, plus she likes their warranty. After listening to the guy try to BS us, we went to a local shop. I will try out Circuit City next. Thanks for your help!

John 96 GS