How to Install a Stereo in a Pontiac Cars

If static when the engine is running makes the radio intolerable to listen to, check the battery cables. Make sure the connections are clean and the terminals are tight. If you experience static, poor reception or interference when the rear defroster is on, consult technical service bulletin No. If your Oldsmobile car has the Sirius XM satellite radio installed, retrieve your radio code out of the old radio before you remove it. You'll need the code to deactivate your old radio and then you'll need to perform the activation process for the new radio. Program the new radio with the Oldsmobile car vehicle identification number at purchase or with a scan tool.

Under The Hood:

• How to Install a Stereo in a Pontiac Grand Am
• How to Install a Stereo in a Mitsubishi Galant
• How to Install a Stereo in a Chrysler Sebring
• How to Install a Stereo in a Oldsmobile Alero
• How to Install a Stereo in a 1994 BMW 325i

 How to Install a Stereo in a Pontiac Grand Am

Disconnect the negative battery cable from under the hood. Ensure it doesn't touch any metal parts.

Locate and remove the two screws at the back of the storage pocket below the radio. Look under the instrument panel and remove the two screws securing it in place.

Pull the dash panel away carefully and disconnect the wire emergency flasher switch. Pull the entire panel out and set it aside.

Find the three screws holding the stereo to the Pontiac Grand Am dash and remove them. Pull the head unit straight out of the dash and disconnect the wires behind the radio.

Connect the wiring harness adaptor to the original harness and the GM antenna adaptor onto the antenna wire. Secure the new stereo into the GM radio mounting kit and plug the wiring harness adaptor and antenna wire into the back of the stereo.

Push the entire assembly into the dash and reconnect the negative battery cable. Turn the radio on and verify the speakers and controls are working properly. Secure the head unit into the dash with the three original screws and replace the trim, remembering to reconnect the emergency flasher wire.

 How to Install a Stereo in a Mitsubishi Galant

Slide the shifter all the way back with the car turned off. Open the hood and disconnect the negative battery cable. Secure the cable so it can't come into contact with any metal parts.

Pry the top right corner of the trim with firm pressure unto the clips disengage all the way around. Look for screws that hold the trim on some model years.

Remove the trim and locate the two bolts, one on each side of the stereo. Attach the extension onto the ratchet and remove the bolts. Pull the radio from the Mitsubishi Galant dash, disconnect the wires behind the radio and set it aside.

Connect the wiring harness adaptor to the original harness. Slide the stereo into the Mitsubishi radio installation kit and connect the wiring harness adaptor and antenna wire to the new stereo.

Reconnect the negative battery cable and turn the radio on. Test the speakers and stereo controls to verify they are working properly. Secure the head unit into the dash with the bolts. Snap the trim back into place and place the shifter back into park.

 How to Install a Stereo in a Chrysler Sebring

Removal

If your Sebring is equipped with the media center 230 -- look for sales code "REQ" on the lower, left corner of the radio's faceplate -- put it in transportation mode before continuing. To set transportation mode, press and hold "Set" and "Disc" for five seconds or until the word "Transportation" appears in the display.

Remove the negative battery cable nut from the remote negative terminal on the driver-side shock tower behind the power distribution box. Remove the negative battery cable and position it aside so it doesn't touch anything.

Pry out on the bezel surrounding the radio using a trim stick. Alternately, you can wrap the tip of a flat-head screwdriver with tape and use that to remove the bezel. Disconnect the wiring connectors on the back of the bezel, then remove the bezel.

Remove the radio mounting screws and slide it toward you. Reach behind it and disconnect the wiring connectors. Pull the locking antenna connector away from the back of the radio, then disconnect the antenna cable. Remove the radio.

Installation

To install it, connect the antenna cable and push in on the locking connector. Connect the wiring connectors to the radio, then slide the radio into the dashboard. Install the mounting screws and snug them. Position the bezel around the audio unit and press in around the edges to engage the bezel tabs.

Reconnect the negative battery cable to the remote negative post and tighten the nut to 145 inch-pounds.

If you have the media center 230, take it out of transportation mode by removing the IOD fuse for 10 seconds. The IOD fuse is a light blue, 15A fuse in slot No. 20 of the power distribution box.

If your Sebring is equipped with electronic stability control, start the engine and center the steering wheel. Turn the steering wheel left all the way to its stop, then turn it right all the way to its stop. Center the steering wheel, then turn off the engine.

 How to Install a Stereo in a Oldsmobile Alero

Turn the Alero off and remove the key. Remove the screws along the bottom of the glove box. Open the glove box door and remove the screws from the instrument panel around the perimeter of the glove box opening. Pull the glove box toward you, then disconnect the electrical connector for the glove box lamp. Slip the lamp through the opening and remove the glove box.

Remove the push-pins on the inner insulator panel and remove the panel. Remove the three nuts from the radio and remove the radio from the bracket. Disconnect the electrical connector and the antenna connector, then remove the radio from the Alero.

To install the new radio, connect the antenna and the electrical connector, then align it on the bracket. Install the nuts and tighten them to 53 inch-pounds. Position the inner insulator panel and fasten it with the push-pins.

Position the glove box and slip the lamp through the opening. Connect the electrical connector and secure the glove box with the screws around the perimeter of the glove box opening. Tighten the screws to 18 inch-pounds. Close the glove box. Install the screws across the bottom of the glove box and tighten them to 18 inch-pounds.

 How to Install a Stereo in a 1994 BMW 325i

Standard Radio Removal

Guide the straight ends of the two radio removal tools into the four locator holes on both sides of the radio’s face.

Pry the sidebar trim pieces – the 1/4-inch-wide plastic pieces on both sides of the radio’s face, if equipped – with a small flathead screwdriver. This exposes the locator holes for the radio removal tools.

Press and hold the radio removal tools inward about an inch. Press the curved ends of the radio removal tools away from each other to press the internal radio locking tabs inward. Pull the radio removal tools toward the rear of the BMW to slide the radio from its dashboard chassis.

Pull the radio out just far enough to access the wiring on its rear. Pull downward on the locking tab on the bottom of the wiring harness to unlock it, then unplug the wiring harness. Unplug the antenna wire.

Remove the radio.

Standard Radio Installation

Plug the wiring harness into the receptacle on the rear of the radio. Press upward on the locking tab on the bottom of the wiring harness until it clicks into place to lock the harness.

Plug the antenna wire into its receptacle on the rear of the radio.

Slide the radio into its chassis in the dashboard and push the radio inward until its locking tabs snap into place.

Business Radio Removal

Pry the face plate from the radio using a small flathead screwdriver, exposing the two radio-retaining screws.

Remove the two radio-retaining screws with an Allen wrench.

Follow Steps 4 and 5 under "Standard Radio Removal" to remove the radio.

Business Radio Installation

Connect the radio’s wiring by following Steps 1 and 2 under “Standard Radio Installation.”

Slide the radio into the dashboard, aligning its screw holes with those in the radio’s dashboard chassis. Tighten the two radio-retaining screws with an Allen wrench.

Line the cutouts in the faceplate with the radio’s buttons and press the faceplate onto the radio until it snaps into place.

Unlocking Anti-Theft System

Turn the ignition to the “Run” or “Acc” position and turn the radio on.

Observe as the radio displays “Code” on its screen.

Enter the five-digit code on the card that came with the replacement radio, using the radio preset numbers. If the radio did not come with the card or you misplaced it, see a BMW dealership to obtain the code.

Watch as the radio begins operating as normal.