I have a 1988 T/A. The factory stereo was removed at some point and an an aftermarket unit put in. I'd like to replace it to OEM.

This is what the RPO codes say I have in terms of audio:

UQ1 RADIO PROVISIONS, FOR STEREO
UQ7 SPEAKER SYSTEM, SUBWOOFER: (Available with Stereo Radios Only) Consists of Dual Front & Rear Coaxial Speakers, and Dual Rear Low Frequency Subwoofer Speakers.
UT1 TONE GENERATOR, WARNING
UX1 RADIO, AM/FM STEREO CASSETTE EQUALIZER

The wiring harness suggests this is what the back of the head needs to look like:

This is what the owner's manual suggests the front needs to look like:


I'm having trouble finding a match. Should the RPOs be telling me anything about an optional configuration or something based on speakers, that OEM subwoofer, or something else?

 

I can't be positive about the type of plugs your 88 has in it,... I thought the plug change was in 88 because the CDM radios were installed in some Thirdgens that year, but that might have been possible due to an add-on wiring harness or something like that. ( my 88 GTA used the "later" style radio plug.)

Regardless; I should have that Pontiac UX1 radio with both (early and late) types of radio plugs.

If possible; take a look at your dash harness where the radio connects. In some cases guys will just leave the original speaker plugs in place and install new speaker wiring. If so - you might be able to verify what plugs your car needs. ( I've LOTs of radio plugs,... so you just gotta' figure out exactly what type you need / want to use. )

The factory Subwoofer option used 4 rear speakers and 2 front speakers in the dash. The rear speaker set-up had a speaker box on each side with 2 speakers each. The factory Sub AMP was mounted behind the passenger side dash housing trim panel. Check these areas to see if any of the original system is still in place. You can search the option code UQ7 in the AUDIO forum to find lots of info about the speaker system.

 

Hey John, since you deal a lot in these radios, is the Power button an easy fix? I have a UX1 in my '88 Trans Am and the Power button indentation works but it often doesn't power up and I'm certain it's the switch because if you keep at it, it will eventually work.

 

If your car's plug looks like this one in my 87 (not a good angle in the pic, but it's one big fat plug), then yes, it plugs into the back of the radio you're showing the backside of, which is the same as the back of my 87.


88 was the last year for the UQ7 subwoofer system, and I believe it was JT in a post a while back who confirmed it was an early 88 option, and few cars got it. Phased out mid-year.

And many online sources list 89 as the year for the new style plugs, which means 88 calendar year.

Given all that, then it makes sense that an early 88 might still have the same connector and large antenna plug as my 87.

And the front of the radio would also look like your example. The other common radio option with UQ7 was the touch control radio that I have. Same radio, but all buttons, no *****. But I forget that code. UT4, maybe?

 

@88TA81P: Here is a picture of that 85-88 Radio I've got: This one has been Restored and is in very good condition.



@JT: The power button isn't too hard to swap,.. depends on how "detailed" a person is.

The bottom of the radio case has to come off and the cassette mech has to be removed in order to access the Power switch inside the radio. ( some UX1 radios have a cassette mechanism that uses a small screw in the front corner of the radio that has to be accessed thru the side. Sometimes this is a philips-head screw, but many times it's a tiny 3/16 hex head. ) You can leave the faceplate installed and only needed to remove 7 screws so far........



From here you can remove the 3/16 screw holding the power button secure with a thin-walled, deep-set 3/16th socket. At this stage this screw can be kinda' a PITA to get a grip on and at this point you should decide how "detailed" your gonna' be: There's limited access to the wiring so you can only cut/splice the 2 wires for the power button. So; if your OK with cutting & splicing the wires and don't mind "fighting" a little to remove and install that screw,.... go for it - done !

If you prefer to solder the 2 wires in place.: Remove the 3 screws from the top of the radio case, remove the 4 1/4 screws from the circuit boards at at the top of the radio, remove the 5 screws from the side/back of the radio case (1 of those 5 holds the circuit boards near the antenna port ), look at the radio from the bottom and remove the 2 1/4 screws from the bottom radio circuit boards, and final step is to look at radio from the front and remove the 2 long 3/16 screws that hold the bottom circuit board to the front/face radio bracket. ( screws under the preset buttons ) and this is what you'll see,....... it took me 2 minutes time to progress from picture 1 to picture 2.



You can just allow the circuit boards to "float" and you will have real easy access to the screw holding the power button in place, PLUS you can access and solder those 2 wires properly. There is even 1 more small bracket at the back/right corner that can also be removed to allow even greater access for soldering work if you need the extra room to work.

 

John - that looks like the one I'm looking for. I'm new to this forum and wasn't able to find a way to message you directly. Please advise as to what you are asking for it and payment methods accepted, etc.

 

Ya'.... You've got to be a member for awhile before you get full member privileges here @ TGO.

Best bet is to send me an E-Mail so that I can stay as organized as possible !! Webmaster@Berlinetta.info

 

Sent you an email earlier FYI. Thx!

 

I can't add feedback for you yet,..... but maybe I can ask for help with that.