Do I have all the correct items for a radio swap? Excuse the zebra print, I'm at my girlfriends house..

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Is this the right adaptor?? The colors of the wires, most of them match up to the aftermarket unit I have, but two or three wires doesn't match up..just wondering which goes to which, for a '02 Cavalier OHV. Base model. Just hoping this was the right adaptor to use, made for GM cars 1998 and up to 2008. Also what is the red wire is for? This will be my first time installing a radio.

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Even if the colors don't match between the harnesses, they both should tell you what each wire goes to. Example, one side might have an orange 'switch 12v source' and the other harness might use yellow. Some wires might not even be used at all either. Main wires to look for, constant 12v, switched 12v, ground, antenna, and speaker outputs. The rest are kind of just there but not needed like the dimmer wire.

Also, use solder and heat shrink if you are able to. that is the best way to connect the wires. If you're unable to, butt connectors should work pretty well.

you are going to need a soldering iron, or some connectors, that adapter (if its for the right car i cant tell) plugs into the factory harness and is open ended. That away you dont cut out your factory plug. the harness for the radio is in the box. Find a radio wiring diagram for a cavalier, then your head unit will have a instructions sheet with it. Make sure that adapter kit is for a double din. It shows a single din on the front of the package but i cant see whats inside.

Car Radio Constant 12v+ Wire: Orange
Car Radio Switched 12v+ Wire: Ignition Switch (The radio harness does not provide a switched power source. Run a wire from the Ignition Switch.)
Car Radio Ground Wire: Black
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Gray
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Antenna Trigger: Pink
Car Stereo Amp Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amplifier Location: N/A
Front Speakers Size: N/A
Front Speakers Location: N/A
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Tan
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Gray
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Light Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Dark Green
Rear Speakers Size: N/A
Rear Speakers Location: N/A
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Brown
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Dark Blue
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Light Blue

I think I'll go with butt connectors, and Alex, there is a wiring harness for the head unit, just talking about how the wires don't quite line up, but thank you, that is going to be so useful! And the package doesn't specify if it's a single or double din, perhaps if I took a photo of it out the box, you would be able to tell me?

So I have to make my own wire from the ignition switch to the radio? This gets complicated pretty quick haha

If you go to an auto parts store, you can get a mini add a link(fuse) and tap into the fuse panel on the drivers side. I think most people tap into the wipers fuse, I can't remember which one I tapped into, I think it was wipers as well..... you need to run the red wire (switched 12v wire) to there, the 2000+ j bodys don't have this wire in the factory harness since our stereos are a class 2 system and use a "data/signal" wire to turn the factory stereo on. and a FYI, you will also lose your door chimes and if you leave headlights on, the car wont' ding at you when you open the door.

Also, if anyone knows a better way for the switched wire, let me know, this is just what I found, the IGN has to be on, I could not find a ACC wire without taking the car half apart, so I just tapped into the wipers. It would be more ideal to have it come on with the ACC, then you dont have everything else on the car running when you are in a parking lot or something and just want to listen to the stereo.


2000 Cavalier Z24 5spd - Intake, Dynomax muffler, Hawk Pads, Powerslot rotors, Sportlines/Koni reds, Neon Coil, MSD 8.5 Wires
2005 Mazda 3 GS Auto- Wifes car
2006 Cobalt SS/SC - Intake, 2.5" Exhaust, GMPP Brakes, Solid Mounts, Ported S/C - Sold
1991 GMC Sierra - Lifted on 38.5" Swampers, Too much to list off. For Sale

Yeah I knew about the factory chimes, don't really care because I find them really annoying but let me confirm this:
The red wire goes from the wiper fuse to the aftermarket stereo correct?
Also, how exactly do you 'tap' a fuse? I'm very knowledgeable about mechanical stuff, but when it comes to electrical stuff, I don't quite know much. So if I went to AutoZone, I should ask for 'add a link' fuse then? Sorry for the stupid questions, just want to prepare myself before I begin to do this.

Single din: http://www.oemplus.com/images/Mk5_Radio_Single_DIN.jpg

Double din: http://image.mustangmonthly.com/f/miscellaneous/scosche-mustang-audio-installation-kit/37450435/scosche-industries-87-93-ford-mustang-double-din-stereo-mounting-kit.jpg

Yours will not look exactly like either of these because these pics arnt for a cavalier but you'll get the idea,

OH, i thought you were talking about the adaptor but it is indeed a double din, it has the specific models on the back of what it's for, and it's for 2000-2005 Cavaliers

But how do you tap a fuse for the red wire from the fuse to the radio?

You can get this:
http://www.amazon.com/Littelfuse-FHA200BP-ATO-Add-A-Circuit-Kit/dp/B0002BGELQ

Put it where your window wiper circuit goes. There you go switched power.

Thanks philly, is the cavaliers an ATM, ATO, or something else fuse type? I'm going to get one at my local auto zone.

Is this the one?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Cooper-Bussmann-ATM-fuse-tap/_/N-25gq?itemIdentifier=32416_0_0_

Or this..

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Cooper-Bussmann-ATC-fuse-tap/_/N-25gq?itemIdentifier=32414_0_0_

It's a mini (atm) fuse you need and the link Philly gave you is exactly what I was talking about, AutoZone or some auto parts store should have them in electical/fuse section.
And yeah the door chimes are annoying but sometimes a guy forgets about his lights....


2000 Cavalier Z24 5spd - Intake, Dynomax muffler, Hawk Pads, Powerslot rotors, Sportlines/Koni reds, Neon Coil, MSD 8.5 Wires
2005 Mazda 3 GS Auto- Wifes car
2006 Cobalt SS/SC - Intake, 2.5" Exhaust, GMPP Brakes, Solid Mounts, Ported S/C - Sold
1991 GMC Sierra - Lifted on 38.5" Swampers, Too much to list off. For Sale

Atm for sure? And can anybody find a picture of the plug from the car's wiring to the stock radio? I just to have a peace of mind that I got the right adaptor, just don't want to find out it's the wrong adaptor after I take the dash apart.

So the red wire will be from the fuse tap to the red wire also on the aftermarket unit?

I found this on google, so I could run the red wire from the aftermarket unit to the ignition orange wire for switched power?
(in the comments)
http://www.modifiedlife.com/2002-chevrolet-cavalier-car-radio-stereo-wiring-diagram/

Why are you tapping a fuse? All the wires needed are at the factory radio plug. You only need a wiring kit. Then just match wires.


<img src="http://www.v6z24.com/jbodyforum/images/signatures/cavalier3400z.jpg" width="319" height="199"/>

So some people is telling me I have to tap a fuse from the new aftermarket to the wiper fuse in order for it to work and some people is telling me that it's all plug and play, just match up the colors from the radio to the adaptor to the car's harness.

broski..

Car Radio Constant 12v+ Wire: Orange












GOT ECOTEC?

Rob Dotterer wrote:Why are you tapping a fuse? All the wires needed are at the factory radio plug. You only need a wiring kit. Then just match wires.

Because the factory plug doesnt have a switched source. So you have to run one.

So does the factory plug does, or does not have a switched source?

does not.