Kateee

I don't know what the hell I'm doing lol. But I want to try anyway, so can anyone give me detailed wiring instructions? I keep looking at how-to threads, but either they don't give enough instruction, or they are using a different harness because they don't have the Pioneer system.

I have a 2005 LS that has the Pioneer sound system, without onstar. I bought a new Kenwood KDC255u stereo and got the Metra 70-2103 harness and a Scosche GM1587B dash kit.

Squints

iTrader: (4)

If you had a scosche GM13sr harness I would be able to help but I haven't installed the metra harness

Squints

iTrader: (4)

What exactly I the problem your having?

Just in case this is your question I found this:

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/elec...nstall-190323/

Kateee

Basically I don't have any understanding of wiring. I know the first step is to take the negative end of the battery out before touching anything, but then I have no idea what tools I need, or how to splice/solder/crimp? Do I just stick the end of the wires of one harness into the slots of the other harness? ETC. stuff like that. I know I should have it professionally installed but I WANT to learn... I'm interested, I like doing my own stuff to my car.

chevygirl2006

Best buy does installations.

Kateee

I don't have that much money for it, it's $60.

06cobaltncng

iTrader: (9)

you sound like me lol

I replaced the cd player in my old civic a few times. it was as simple as cutting the original wires and splicing in the new wires with wire nuts and electrical tape. least thats how it was on the civic. It was just color to color. be mindful of the stripes in the wire color to make sure you get the right wires. but I haven't done the cobalt yet.

chevygirl2006

Well you could pay $60 and have it done right or do it yourself and not have a clue on how to do it and risk messing something up. Your choice. I paid someone to do mine because I was in the same shoes you are in.

Kateee

Well, half of it is money... I'd just have to wait probably a full month to get the money for the install (already just had to buy a new tire, then got stereo, then tail light tint lol). But I am being honest I want to learn how to do this! I've taken out the stock stereo many times just to see how things hook up, but my boyfriend keeps telling me it's not as simple as it looks and that I'm going to F something up.

Just keep telling myself "everyone learns somewhere" haha so now I just need someone to show me.

Kateee

Maybe I could find someone on here who has a Cobalt and lives close to come help me?

chevygirl2006

Ya I wanted to learn too so I just watched the guy do it. Too much of pain to me lol
But ya I don't have job. I used some of my savings to get it put in. I just didn't want to break anything because my radio wasn't cheap.

Gelladuga69

iTrader: (4)

It's honestly just matching the color of the wires between harnesses.

I know with this harness and the pioneer sound system, you had to do something a little extra. Like blue to pink? to turn on the amp for the Pioneer system.

EmperorJJ is the resident electronics guru. Maybe he'll see this thread soon.

I opted for the more expensive harness to just have a simple matching of the wires together.

06cobaltncng

iTrader: (9)

I only learned because I had an extra harness and cd player.

Kateee

Oh wow they let you supervise during the install? That is pretty cool. Mine was only ninety bucks but yeah maybe I'll just at least have someone who knows what they're doing here.

chevygirl2006

Ya I paid $460 for the radio,2 different harnesses and the dash kit. And the guy that installed it is a friend so that's why I got to watch. He does custom sound systems and tinting etc for a living. If you were here I could hook you up.

06cobaltncng

iTrader: (9)

yeah I need tint

chevygirl2006

I'm getting my windshield tinted when my car gets out the body shop

Squints

iTrader: (4)

I would have helped you. You're not that far.

Kateee

Sounds like a sweet deal : ) I'm sure I can find someone, my friend may even know how, and if not, he goes to the Subaru meets every Wednesday and I'll have one of the guys there come over.

06cobaltncng

iTrader: (9)

just wink at them theyll do it free.

thats how I get stuff.


jkjk

chevygirl2006

You have any idea on why my radio stations get fuzzy? Antenna problems maybe? And my steering wheel controls just stopped working. And yes I got the steering wheel harness. I took the radio out to see if I could fix the antenna problem. I unplugged the antenna and then plugged it back in and then my steering wheel controls somewhat stopped working. I mean they kinda work. I can change the radio station but they aren't the pre set stations I set. And the volume button works.

Kateee

Hahaha that's always my plan. Just worked my magic on the dealership to have them fix my AC 2 years after the warranty went out

06cobaltncng

iTrader: (9)

can I borrow you? I need some slicks

haha

Kateee

Lol!

intel

iTrader: (1)

It's pretty much as Gelladuga69 and 06cobaltncng wrote, you basically match up the color of the wires from the Metra harness to the harness of the Kenwood...

While it's good to learn how to do it, I don't know how tight on cash you are. If you can borrow a wire crimper all you would need to get is some butt connectors. If that's the case I would attempt it if I were you. If you can't find anyone to borrow one, I think a wire crimper will cost you about $10 and the butt connectors another couple bucks.

Crimping would be good option for you since you're new to this, but if if you want a little bit of a challenge try to find someone with a solder gun. I personally prefer to solder and heat-shrink wire connections.

If the two previous options aren't available maybe someone at the Suburu meets will crimp the wires for you, it's mad easy lol and a wire crimper should be a common tool for those guys.

I am not sure what else has to be done wiring wise since you have the pioneer system without onstar, maybe Emp will chime is as others have said.