2008 CTS Navigation

Wirestu · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-09, 11:22 PM

I have a 2008 CTS without factory NAV. It came with the 40 gig HD, Bose system, but no NAV. I purchased a salvaged factory NAV unit and had it sent to the factory for unlocking and check out. The unit is fine. My question is, can this unit be installed in the car without any additional wiring? it appears the harness is missing some plugs. Is there a dealer or mechanic in Long Island that could do this as a side project?

T

hanks in advance,

Stu

bobelew · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-09, 11:58 PM

That might be a difficult installation as you would have to replace the entire dash. The Nav is a pop-up and cannot be added to the instrument panel ,so would involve a major retro. I am no expert, but I think this would be a very expensive proposition.

Zymurgy · #3 (**permalink**) 03-23-09, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobelew

That might be a difficult installation as you would have to replace the entire dash. The Nav is a pop-up and cannot be added to the instrument panel ,so would involve a major retro. I am no expert, but I think this would be a very expensive proposition.

I'm not so sure that it would be that bad. Looking at the GM parts catalog, it appears that there is only one instrument panel per interior color. There is not a separate part number for Nav/no Nav. There is a separate piece that covers the pop-up cutout for the non-Nav cars (part 6 in the diagram below):

Wirestu · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-09, 04:35 AM

Thanks for the reply. I dont believe the mechanical installation will be a problem. I think I have all the parts. The issues is the wiring. Does anyone know where I can get a wiring diagram including all the connectors?

Thanks in advance.

ewill3rd · #5 (**permalink**) 03-31-09, 09:33 AM

Actually putting the nav hardware in wouldn't be hard at all. The screen comes complete and it just bolts in.
As far as the connections go I'm not sure.
If I get time (not likely really) I'll try to look at the details and see how feasible this is.
Pretty busy lately.
You'd need to replace the center stack too, the control panels are different for nav/non-nav.

smithb · #6 (**permalink**) 03-31-09, 10:14 AM

I don't know, but I would guess there are a few missing wires not run, like the gps antennea. There is also the signal to lock out nav and DVD when the car is out of park or moving. It also seems like it has a seperate signal from the photo cell to determine day/night and screen brightness. In my car this seems to work independent of the headlights and the other lights on the center stack, but maybe I just can't see the lights all the time when they are on. The Nav system also displays other various system messages, but I don't know where those are displayed in a non-Nav car. If it is on the DIC, I wouldn't know how to get them over to the radio or if them not being there would cause a problem.

hugo · #7 (**permalink**) 03-31-09, 12:39 PM

My suggestion would be don't mess with it. Use the OnStar Turn by Turn system. For about $100 per year, it is easier to use than the built in Nav system and is more up to date. Besides, if you mess something up you may have warrantee problems.

cts2008lover · #8 (**permalink**) 03-31-09, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugo

My suggestion would be don't mess with it. Use the OnStar Turn by Turn system. For about $100 per year, it is easier to use than the built in Nav system and is more up to date. Besides, if you mess something up you may have warrantee problems.

I also agree "My suggestion would be don't mess with it".
There are so many 3rd pary navigation unit on market too.
I think CTS is one of the most difficult car to mod and I thought most parts are desginged plug-in/out from base to luxury model but not CTS.

Bandit1 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-31-09, 08:48 PM

Agree with ewill3rd. You will need the radio/drive, center stack, screen (comes with motor and top), antenna, and subsequently the Nav disk. What's unknown is.....Is the 40 gig AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 different than the unit that is installed in the Nav equipped cars AND is the in the dash wiring harness the same with connectors needed for the Nav just taped off. The wiring harness would be the only difficult part of the install if they are not common and additional connectors and wire runs were required.

09CTS · #10 (**permalink**) 04-08-09, 10:53 PM

Where did you send the radio to have it unlocked?

ewill3rd · #11 (**permalink**) 04-09-09, 09:03 AM

Oh yeah, you won't have the jack for the ipod interface either.

Wirestu · #12 (**permalink**) 04-15-09, 03:44 AM

Thanks for the reply. Not interested in the Ipod. Hate the turn by turn navigation.

Were you able to see if there were any wiring issues going from a 40 gig hd non nav unit to the navigation unit?

Thanks in advance.