I picked up a factory AM/FM/CD to replace my original AM/FM/partially operational Cassette.

I started to install it last night, brackets and other provisions...no problem. But the wiring, that's another story.

I know this must be the millionth time this has been done, and there MUST BE threads here somewhere about factory harness adapters, but I'll be danged if I can find one. A search pulled up pages of threads, but none I could find with any pictures (to confirm it's the same two connectors I'm dealing with) or a link to an available solution (like a Scosche, or someone like that).

So, here's what I have. My original cassette on the right, the newer CD unit on the left.



Is there an adapter for this application?

 

Nope. Not directly. You would need to get one adapter for the 21-pin connection and another for the 12-pin and wire them up together.

 

89+ radio in your earlier model year car? Yes there is an adapter:

http://replacementradios.com/gm-wiri...gm2-p-166.html

Might be able to find it at Fry's or Best Buy too. But from Replacement Radios it comes with the antenna adapter for the 89+ smaller antenna connector. Also comes with instructions for adapting it to the Performance Sound System, if your 88 car has that option.

Here's a pic of the one I bought from Replacement Radios. Seems to be a very good place to do business.

 

Here's a thread that was posted not long ago.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/car-...res-delco.html
Leads to this link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390584698435

 

That's outstanding. I'm not beyond making my own, but if I don't have to reinvent the wheel, I'd rather not. And I do have the Performance Sound System.

You know what's embarrassing about that? I posted in that thread. This getting old stuff is no fun at all.

Thank you both very much for your help.

 

Metra makes, or at least used to make adapter harness to go either way, newer Delco into older (21 pin to 12 pin) or older Delco into newer(12 pin to 21 pin). It's pretty easy to make the adapters though, using the more commonly available adapters and repair harnesses that shops would be more likely to have in stock.

 

You're welcome. Funny thing is that I’m also getting older and didn't notice it either.

 

Funny you should mention that. I called a local chain of shops (though I should have known better based on past experience). I explained quite carefully what I wanted to do, and he said he had what I needed. I asked him to confirm that he had it, he said he did, and it was $12. With an hour until closing time, and the store a 1/2 hour away, I jumped in the Suburban, with the two radios, and dashed over there.

When I got there, what he had to offer me was a $40 pigtail, to go from my factory harness to an aftermarket radio. No 21 pin end in site.

They've pulled this kind of crap before, and I wasn't sure if I was madder at them, or myself for believing them.


Hope I can help you out sometime.

 

One of these is on the way.

Vs. the ebay piece, they supply direction on how to make this work with the Performance Sound System, albeit for Fieros...he was unaware that Performance Sound had been offered in Firebirds.

I'll update this when I have a chance to play with it. Hopefully the modification is straight forward.

 

you can buy the wiring adapter at walmart, just got mine 2 days ago for 10 dollars

 

Scosche makes the parts you need. GM01B plugs into the factory (pre 90) harness and the GM02RB plugs into the later model deck (90+) you still have to do a little wiring... colour to colour but you won't have to cut the factory wiring.