Radio woes

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james1965
SLE Member
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Posts: 31
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:33 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Bonneville SLE
Location: Meadville, Pa

Radio woes

Post by james1965 »

so I have a question about replacing the radio in my SLE. the one in it is truly awesome, I mean it has am/fm/XM/cassette/cd/steering wheel controls/handles the chimes and onstar connection. I don't use the XM or OnStar however and I live in a small town that really doesn't play the music I like. I want to be able to just use my USB chip with my many of thousands of songs however after looking at the connection in the car and looking at the wiring harnesses available i'm a little confused. this radio doesn't have a pigtail, it literally just slides into a plug.

so i'm looking for the adapter to wire up a double din radio to it, I've seen this adapter but it says not for ONSTAR vehicles.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PAC-RP3-GM13-R ... 8u&vxp=mtr

and then there is this one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chime-OnStar-A ... zV&vxp=mtr

my question is can I use the 1st one if I just unplug the ONSTAR box?

i'm looking at a combo kit that has the adapter and radio and such like this.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-Double-Din ... g9&vxp=mtr

thoughts?
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nos4blood70
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Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
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Re: Radio woes

Post by nos4blood70 »

Your OnStar no longer works, it requires an update done at the dealer if I remember correctly, so I wouldn't worry about that one.

I understand that you want to keep your steering wheel controls. Do you care about keeping chimes?

Sonicelectronix is a helpful website. If you buy a head unit with them, they will give you certain stuff for free. I'd browse around there over eBay.
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 250k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 101k miles
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JEFFSSSEI
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Posts: 133
Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:00 pm
Year and Trim: 2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI

Re: Radio woes

Post by JEFFSSSEI »

#1 is better than #2 and cheaper. #3 won't work for you as you have onstar. why not buy #1 and buy the radio you want...why do you need it to be a package deal?
2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI
3.8L V6 SC, 180*T (Drilled),
Custom PCM w/Perf Shift,
SLP Ceramic Coated Headers,
Thrasher Cold Air Intake,
GXP Tails, Interior Door handles, Trim pieces etc.
40th Aniv Grand Prix GTP Wheels (Very Shiny & Very Annoying :pukeleft: )
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james1965
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 31
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:33 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Bonneville SLE
Location: Meadville, Pa

Re: Radio woes

Post by james1965 »

Nos4blood70 that is good to know, I've never used onstar so I would have no idea about that until now.
Jeffssei , the reason I was thinking about the combo is kinda obvious, if you can get all you want and need in 1 package then why not go that route and save a few bucks too. I asked about the 2 adapters because the cheaper one will not work with onstar and I was unsure or unclear if it could be used if I did not care about the onstar.. hmm that sounded confusing. basically I did not know if I could use it fully and not have to worry about connection issues with the onstar being in the original harness.

and yes i'd like to retain my chimes and things as well. I was told my radio that is in the car now is a lock and dock style if that matters.
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james1965
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Posts: 31
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:33 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Bonneville SLE
Location: Meadville, Pa

Re: Radio woes

Post by james1965 »

well, I've ordered it all up individually, will be here under 2 weeks. hopefully it will go in without an issue..
JEFFSSSEI
SSE Member
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Posts: 133
Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:00 pm
Year and Trim: 2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI

Re: Radio woes

Post by JEFFSSSEI »

I would think it would work, just disables onstar, which of course is disabled due to obsolescence anyway...anyway, I see you ordered it all...If you end up needing wiring diagrams for anything just ask I will post them up if I can find them.
2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI
3.8L V6 SC, 180*T (Drilled),
Custom PCM w/Perf Shift,
SLP Ceramic Coated Headers,
Thrasher Cold Air Intake,
GXP Tails, Interior Door handles, Trim pieces etc.
40th Aniv Grand Prix GTP Wheels (Very Shiny & Very Annoying :pukeleft: )
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