The "Mythical" Olds Aurora Navigation System

[97ParkAve]

So I recently purchased the rare navigation system from a 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora, as a summer project I am going to attempt to install it in my 1997 Buick Park Avenue. I know all the mounting locations are in the same place, my only issue is that the wiring harness connecter is different.
Can I simply use the only Aurora connector and splice it to my already existing Park Avenue wiring?
If any one has any input and or tips, let me know...
It may sound crazy but I really like the look of stock thats the only reason I'm attempting this

Also the Aurora was a non-Bose model, and the Park Avenue has the Concert Sound III option if that makes a difference. I know this has been done with the Bonnevilles in the past but I also know they share the connector as the 01-03 Auroras and the 03-05 LeSabres so its essentially plug and play for them.

This is my Park Avenue

[00Beast]

LOL, I love that the Aurora in question had a Low Coolant light. Breaking news...

I'm of no help, but I know how rare these are, pretty cool you found one. What'd you pay if you don't mind me asking?

[nos4blood70]

Lucky find! I've been wanting one of these for a while.

[2003 SSEi]

I think you may have a hard time getting that Nav to Work In the Park Ave. I don't believe the PA shares the same audio signals as the Rora

[RJolly87]

What advantage would this have over an aftermarket unit?

[97ParkAve]

1.)I got a kick out of the low coolant light as well, pretty standard for a Northstar lol

2.)I saw that the plugs are different from the Aurora to the Park Avenue, Im hoping to use the stock pig tail from the Aurora unit and make an adapter to go to the factory Park Ave plug, my father has a equipment service specializing in electric forklifts so he's pretty good at electronics and already agreed to conquer the project with me so hopefully I can pull something together, Im also going to put HUD in while I have it apart.

3.) There really is no true advantage over an aftermarket unit, I just like the stock look of the unit and it updates the interior quite a bit. Also I like the fact that I don't have to cut any of the brackets behind the radio and that the lights match the ones that are already in my Park Avenue exactly. Im just a big fan of the stock look.

[2003 SSEi]

I picked up a new set of buttons for my Aurora Nav unit off Rive Electronics. They don't list anything for the Aurora, but the buttons are the same as the 02-04 GM INR Radios.

you basically have to tell them you have a 2003 Nav Radio out of a GM Truck, The cost for the buttons is around $115

also did you get the Nav antenna, and Nav discs?

[97ParkAve]

I picked up a new set of buttons for my Aurora Nav unit off Rive Electronics. They don't list anything for the Aurora, but the buttons are the same as the 02-04 GM INR Radios.

you basically have to tell them you have a 2003 Nav Radio out of a GM Truck, The cost for the buttons is around $115

also did you get the Nav antenna, and Nav discs?

Thanks! I will definetly be looking into that for some new buttons, I can't stand when they are worn off the brightness is too distracting at night, and I did get the NAV antenna, however I did not get the discs. I heard the discs are quite annoying to get. I work at a dealer though so I may be able to source them out somewhere.

[97ParkAve]

Another question, I noticed that a class 2 data connection is required to make the navigation unit from the Aurora work, Does the Park Avenue use the class 2 data? I know GM started it from 2000 on, but I am noticing after doing a little google searching that the Park Avenue has a mention of the class 2 data. Is it possible that although my car is a 1997 it uses an early version of class 2 data before GM made it mainstream??

Notice @ the bottom it states "Class 2 Serial Data Lines"

[tytotheler92]

I have some experience with this in with this in the S-series. In 2002 the S-series trucks went to the class 2 data system also.

Once you go to class 2, its challenging since the class 2 data system is vin locked to the original car. However, if its not vin locked, yes, taking the wiring and splicing the two harnesses together will work, but you may be missing specific functions and it may or may not communicate with the ConcertSound (Monsoon made) amp(s).

Also, the class two data system communicates with the PCM and finds the brand name and loads the brand's logo as the background, so you will also have a blank background.

I'm trying to think what else....

Heres the information I know of on the S10Forum.

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f27/gm-na ... ks-167502/

[tytotheler92]

All of this being said, take pictures and post them up if/when you try. You should be able to make it work as long as there is no vinlock.

[Bugsi]

Just posting a "me too" as casually interested in how your progress goes. I'll be following along, even though I'll never be doing this to my vehicles.

Just a couple in-general thoughts about factory nav systems: They look good, because they integrate perfectly with the vehicle's existing fascia and contours. No need to saw up your dash or have accessories bolted on or hanging from the stock interior. Also, you really can't beat the location of nav in the factory radio location. It's in the perfect place to see it and change settings. But that's about where the benefits end, as I see it. Factory nav systems are usually more difficult to get map updates for, and are typically expensive if you do it legally. For the cost of some of buttons or harness adapters, you can buy a pretty full-featured Garmin with annual updates.

I've got a Garmin Nuvi 760 with traffic info receiver in my Bonneville that I've had for around 7 years. It has great features, and I update to the latest maps on an SD card in it every year. While I don't use it for other things, it has a built-in bluetooth hands-free unit for your phone, and can play audiobooks.
My wife's 2011 Town & Country minivan didn't come with the navigation feature either, and she has an identical Garmin 760 in it. Despite their age, they've withstood the test of time and really do a great job. I've had to replace the internal batteries in each of them, as the original battery only lasted around 2 years. I added a circuit with a fusebox-tap that I ran to a +12v lighter socket that I keep mine connected to constantly with its live-traffic receiver power adapter. My wife's is plugged into an always-on socket in her van as well.

The most difficult choice with aftermarket nav for us was "where to mount them". For my wife's van, we use a cup-holder mount with a gooseneck stalk mount. For my Bonneville, I have an ashtray below the radio since my Bonneville is a rarer column-shift model without the center console. I pulled out the ashtray and mount my Garmin on the open drawer where the ashtray would be.

I just wanted to put these thoughts in here for other people that may be inspired by your work to add nav to their car. I don't mean to knock your choice of factory-nav or discourage you. To the contrary, forge on! I want to see your project succeed. Good luck!