1994 Sunbird Radio Install

O

O7 DOYLE 7O

New member
Joined
Aug 1, 2021
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Does anyone know of any videos on how to replace the head unit in a 88-94 sunbird? I've got everything pulled out and still can't seem to figure out just how to do this
 
You want to install an aftermarket head unit, right? If it's anything like mine, factory radio is a little 4" x 4" square thing, I'm pretty sure any aftermarket head unit needs to be installed in the center console where your factory tape deck/CD player is (directly in front of the shifter). You'll need a Sunbird-specific plastic mounting kit, and wiring harness adapter, from a company like Scosche. You'd then splice all the wires from that wire harness adapter to the corresponding wires on your aftermarket head unit's harness. Then just plug it in.

I assume you'll actually have to pull out the factory radio temporarily, just to unplug the wiring harness from the back, and snake it down to your new head unit in the center console.

I haven't actually done this on mine, but I might be looking to. And I saw a video of a sunbird that had a an aftermarket head unit installed in the center console where the tape deck usually goes. I "think" that's how you'd have to do it.
 
92 Sunbird LE said:
Dash radio or cassette deck in the console..?


Doug in P.R.
Click to expand...
It has the cassette deck, but even after removing it I can't really make sense of how to hook it up.
______________________________
 
leeland04 said:
You want to install an aftermarket head unit, right? If it's anything like mine, factory radio is a little 4" x 4" square thing, I'm pretty sure any aftermarket head unit needs to be installed in the center console where your factory tape deck/CD player is (directly in front of the shifter). You'll need a Sunbird-specific plastic mounting kit, and wiring harness adapter, from a company like Scosche. You'd then splice all the wires from that wire harness adapter to the corresponding wires on your aftermarket head unit's harness. Then just plug it in.

I assume you'll actually have to pull out the factory radio temporarily, just to unplug the wiring harness from the back, and snake it down to your new head unit in the center console.

I haven't actually done this on mine, but I might be looking to. And I saw a video of a sunbird that had a an aftermarket head unit installed in the center console where the tape deck usually goes. I "think" that's how you'd have to do it.
Click to expand...
That's also what I thought, but I really can't seem to get any of the pieces to fit into the adapter I bought. I definitely have the right one but I can't figure out how they're supposed to fit together in any configuration.
 
I just did mine this evening. Here's a pic of what it looks like.

It can be a little confusing because the factory head unit in a Sunbird isn't just one single piece. The actual tuner is a gray metal box mounted vertically inside the dash, behind the radio and heat controls. It then has wire harnesses that go to the radio controls & the factory tape/CD deck.

When you take all the plastic trims off, and look through the cubby hole next to the radio, you'll see a gray metal box mounted back there. That's your tuner. Pic below. You'll need to unplug the antenna wire and the blue wire harness on the RIGHT side of that metal box. I just took the whole thing completely out, but I don't think you have to. If I remember correctly, the wire harness on the right side is the one for your speaker and power wires, and that's the one you'd use.

IMG_20210807_231419115_HDR.jpg


IMG_20210807_232536178.jpg
______________________________
 
This was actually incredibly helpful and I've got it now after taking a second look. Thank you so much.
 
FWIW, there is (was) a blank cover available from Pontiac that can go in place of the non-working factory head unit.

My wife’s car had a hole in the dash from someone ripping out the old factory stereo.

Fools with tools…
 
leeland04 said:
I just did mine this evening. Here's a pic of what it looks like.

It can be a little confusing because the factory head unit in a Sunbird isn't just one single piece. The actual tuner is a gray metal box mounted vertically inside the dash, behind the radio and heat controls. It then has wire harnesses that go to the radio controls & the factory tape/CD deck.

Wenn Sie alle Plastikverkleidungen abnehmen und durch das Ablagefach neben dem Radio schauen, sehen Sie eine graue Metallbox, die dort hinten montiert ist. Das ist dein Tuner. Bild unten. Sie müssen das Antennenkabel und den blauen Kabelbaum auf der RECHTEN Seite dieser Metallbox abziehen. Ich habe das Ganze einfach komplett raus genommen, aber ich denke nicht, dass man das muss. Wenn ich mich richtig erinnere, ist der Kabelbaum auf der rechten Seite derjenige für Ihre Lautsprecher- und Stromkabel, und das ist der, den Sie verwenden würden.

View attachment 5950


View attachment 5951
Click to expand...
Hallo
Kannst du mir sagen, wie ich die Plastikabdeckung abbauen kann? Ist dieser nur gesteckt oder hat er auch Schrauben die gelöst werden müssen. Ich will nichts kaputt machen.
Vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe.
Marino aus der Schweiz
leeland04 said:
I just did mine this evening. Here's a pic of what it looks like.

It can be a little confusing because the factory head unit in a Sunbird isn't just one single piece. The actual tuner is a gray metal box mounted vertically inside the dash, behind the radio and heat controls. It then has wire harnesses that go to the radio controls & the factory tape/CD deck.

When you take all the plastic trims off, and look through the cubby hole next to the radio, you'll see a gray metal box mounted back there. That's your tuner. Pic below. You'll need to unplug the antenna wire and the blue wire harness on the RIGHT side of that metal box. I just took the whole thing completely out, but I don't think you have to. If I remember correctly, the wire harness on the right side is the one for your speaker and power wires, and that's the one you'd use.

View attachment 5950


View attachment 5951
Click to expand...
Hello
Can you tell me how to disassemble the plastic cover? Is this only plugged or does it also have screws that need to be loosened. I do not want to break anything.
Thank you very much for your help.
Marino from Switzerland
______________________________
 
Hello
Can you tell me how to disassemble the plastic cover? Is this only plugged or does it also have screws that need to be loosened. I do not want to break anything.
Thank you very much for your help.
Marino from Switzerland
 
The part in which the radio and the ventilation switches are installed. Many Thanks
 
All screws, some Phillips and some with a 7 or 8 mm hex head. The wiper and headlight switches have come out too since there are screws behind them .Take your time since it's about 20+ of them. The only thing that has clips is the" small foam padded under the steering column cover."...it just pulls out...start at bottom....and work your way up.

Doug in P.R.😎
______________________________
 
Last edited:
Thank you very much.
I actually just want to get to the radio control unit so I can connect the new radio to the existing
Cable. I thought I could just remove the part of the dash where the radio is installed.
 
Yeah it's a pain, just like my 90 Silverado, little control unit , buried tuner box. I guess GM was trying to stop radio theft back in the day in the late 80's - early 90's......😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

Doug in P.R. 😎
 
Howdy folks, I'm helping my buddy do his 1994 sunbird. so basically you have the control unit that you can press the buttons on, and that and its wiring is 100% useless for the aftermarket install. in the dash behind that control unit is a metal box that you have to fish out and disconnect and either buy a herness adapter (I would do this as the stock wiring is short and hard to work with) or just find a wiring diagram and splice the wires. there are duplicate colors though so this can tend to be a pain in the nards. the duplicate colors from my memory are yellow brown and grey. and none of the wires have a stripe. and there is no single din or double din radio locating in the car so you will have to buy a aftermarket mounting thing. or what me and my buddy did is we bent the brackets that came with the radio and mounted it underneath the dash Infront of the shifter. also when taking the dash out there are 2 hidden screws, to get to them pull the plastic piece out underneath the column and there will be 2 small screws there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top