Questions you think are too stupid to ask

[bricooper78]

You need to tap into something that is hot with the key, do you have a multi-meter, or at least a 12v test light? that will show you what is on with the key, and what is off with the key. the car is digital, aftermarket systems are not, you have to "force" them into powering up and down with that jumper wire.

as far as matching wires, your stereo has it's color codes for what speakers are, and what the constant *the yellow wire generally, it holds your clock and pre-programmed settings*, key on *red usually, covered that up there^ * and the black ground. you should have a blue remote on, that you tie into an amp, or a powered antenna (which we don't have on our cars) to turn things on and off with the head unit.

[Dmac8323]

yeah I'm pretty sure I got one of those. So I will have to tap into switched power regardless of the type of harness I buy?? I really wanna make sure I get this right because I don't want to mess anything up..

And thanks for the detailed reasons for each wire being matched and why. I've always just matched wires and never really understood why some got used and didn't.

[bricooper78]

Yea, the colors are more brand specific than anything, sometimes they match, but generally, they don't. Like Pioneer, green, purple, grey, and white are the speaker wire pairs, and a lot of the time, you'll see those colors, the ones with the stripe on them are the negative side of that speaker, so they hook up to the - side on the speaker, while the solid colors are positive, and hook up to the + side of the speaker. Of course you're using one wiring diagram (from the head unit), and then matching it up with the wiring harness, so it can send the right signal down the right wire through the car, which is FAR EASIER THAN JUST WIRING THE WHOLE CAR with new wires


Oh, power off, best bet to unhook either side of the battery to kill it all, I still prefer the positive, but the negative supposedly works, you're just removing the ground from the circuit that way, and it's supposedly better for the onboard computer, I don't know, I still undo the positive, but I'm old

Once you get everything wired and together, remember to plug in your antenna, and you'll need GM antenna adapter to get from the tiny GM antenna plug up to the standard motorola size antenna plug that aftermarket uses, and then hook up your battery, and give everything the once over, make sure you can go front left, right, rear left, rear right with the fader, to make sure everything works BEFORE you button up the dash, it's soooo frustrating to have to undo everything after you think you're done, and then you'll make 3 times as many mistakes

[Dmac8323]

Thanks a lot!! I already got the antenna adapter so I'm also good there. Pretty much just needed the harness and once I get that I should be good to go! Thanks again for taking the time to explain stuff for me and If i come across anymore question I'll be back.

[bricooper78]

Alright man, that's (mostly) what we're here for!

[bricooper78]

Okay, I'll toss one up now...


What is the name of the small piece of metal that gets soldiered on the rear window, that then gets plugged in, that makes the wires for the rear defroster work?

Believe it or not, I knocked one off cleaning the car, and the other one came off on my detail guy and I lost one, so I'm going to have to grab one. I'm heading to my buddy's junk yard, I'm sure there will be 1, or 4 there but I wanna know what that thing is called

[TruGreenGAGT]

Rear defroster tab?

[bricooper78]

That might be it


It's bound to have a name, I just want to know what that name is

[03GT SilverGun]

Where can I get the black trim piece that goes on the outer passenger side of the windshield.

Mine was broken and glued in when I bought the car just never got around to getting a new one.

[bricooper78]

I saw tasers being built on "How it's made"... and they sealed up the inside of the handle with some fluid, and sank the electronics in it.

Anybody have any clue what that would've been? I was assuming it's just silicone, but I'm not sure. I actually have an LED idea, but I don't want to risk shorting something out and causing a ton of problems for myself

[MAC the KNIFE]

i think it's epoxy. if you're trying something with LED's, silicone dries to a frosty finish. epoxy could be polished after drying clear as glass.

or just try both!

[bricooper78]

I'll do some digging, trying to find a totally clear epoxy, or maybe make a backer plate and just not try to submerge.

working on an idea, if it comes out like it's in my head, it'll be cool

[EJ01GAGT]

Does anyone know which halo headlights don't require u to cut your header panel and are they plug and play?

[TDavis]

No "halo" projectors will be plug n play, you will have to wire the halo to something for it to be on. Everything else is plug n play.

[EJ01GAGT]

Originally Posted by TDavis

No "halo" projectors will be plug n play, you will have to wire the halo to something for it to be on. Everything else is plug n play.

well that sucks not that into my ga anymore to do any splicing.

[thapunisha333]

just grab some quick connects and still will only take a few minutes. aiming the headlights will probably take longer

[SikMindz]

Can I get a what what?

[[ChaosweaveR]]

>2013
>still wanting halos in headlights

[TDavis]

What torque specs do you want to be torque'ing your strut nuts to without breaking the studs?

[kzulfic]

19 ft/lbs