CD changer for a 1999 Deville?

Woob · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-07, 06:04 PM

Hello everyone. My wife and I just became proud owners of a 1999 Deville. Mostly it will be Poopsie's car but, I do get to tool around in it from time to time. A nice break from my Dodge Ram 1500.

Anyway, the car came with AM/FM cassette. Poopsie likes to listen to her CDs so I am looking to hookup a CD changer for her. I have been reading quite a few posts and I am still a bit confused as to what exactly will work.

I did check in the trunk and there is a connector in there by the antenna motor. It looks to have 8 holes on one side and 12 on the other.

What CD changers can I use and will I be able to use this connector and have the changer all hooked up and ready to go? Or, is there more to the hookup? This is what I find most confusing in the posts that I'm reading.

My wish is to find a changer, mount it, plug the connector into it and be ready to go. Can my wish come true or is it just not that simple? Is there more that needs to be done?

It would be nice if I could do this as a Valentine surprise. Any and all help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!

LAC-MAN · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-07, 09:37 PM

Try Crutchfield. Good Luck Trying To Get Any Answers In This Forum.

pompste · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-07, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woob

Hello everyone. My wife and I just became proud owners of a 1999 Deville. Mostly it will be Poopsie's car but, I do get to tool around in it from time to time. A nice break from my Dodge Ram 1500.

Anyway, the car came with AM/FM cassette. Poopsie likes to listen to her CDs so I am looking to hookup a CD changer for her. I have been reading quite a few posts and I am still a bit confused as to what exactly will work.

I did check in the trunk and there is a connector in there by the antenna motor. It looks to have 8 holes on one side and 12 on the other.

What CD changers can I use and will I be able to use this connector and have the changer all hooked up and ready to go? Or, is there more to the hookup? This is what I find most confusing in the posts that I'm reading.

My wish is to find a changer, mount it, plug the connector into it and be ready to go. Can my wish come true or is it just not that simple? Is there more that needs to be done?

It would be nice if I could do this as a Valentine surprise. Any and all help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!

It`s not that simple.I recently had a PIONEER CDX-FM1287 12 disc cd changer installed in my 1995 DEVILLE.My Deville had just the AM/FM CASSETTE ACTIVE AUDIO factory installed system initially and i was told by my local caddy dealer that a great deal of this cars computer control is tied in with the original audio system.
The most cost effective way around this problem,i was told,is to install a cd changer that is FM MODULATED, meaning it runs through your current AM/FM CASSETTE player.The PIONEER model I listed above is FM MODULATED and it really sounds great.
I actually watched it being installed by the dealer and it`s not that easy of a job.
I had mine installed in the trunk---they had to remove the back seat,some carpeting,a pillar cover and some panels under the steering wheel and install a rear antennae adaptor since my antennae raises and lowers every time the radio is turned on and off.
From start to finish took about 2 hours and cost $330 total---$260 for the cd changer and $70 labor.The sound clarity from cd`s is much better than cassettes and i`m really glad i made the decision to have it installed professionally.
I hope i have given you some helpful information.

Woob · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-07, 10:46 PM

Thanks to both of you for the info. Can I move this question to a different forum or post the same question in another forum? Don't want to pull a no-no.

Crutchfield was not much help. They did have one CD changer that they claim "may" work with the factory stereo system. USA SPEC SCD-G190CAD. Any one have experience with this unit?

Woob · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-07, 11:20 PM

I may have found some answers in a recent thread over in the audio/video/security systems forum. I'm still waiting for some replies over there and continuing my research. Replies here wouldn't hurt either. Thanks to all.

SeeMyCars · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-07, 02:46 AM

I may have posted in the A/V/S forum about how wonderful the Neo Changer was in my 1999 Fleetwood Limited. There may even be pictures of the install there. Whatever I said....well, never mind!

It is still installed in the trunk, but unhooked. After several episodes of the car failing to start, and battery changes, and blah, blah, blah, the current draw was traced to the CD changer that didn't power off. Ever.

I think there's some re-wire or resistor or something that can fix that. I'm lazy, I just haven't looked into it. If I had it to do over again (and I guess I do!), I'll let a pro do it (I'm not mechanical). In the long run, that would have been lots cheaper than the jumps, tows, batteries and the frustration of it all!

My last two encounters with Crutchfield were less than satisfying. "Back in the day" (like the early 90s), they were truly the experts on everything. The last time I felt like they had outsourced their customer info lines to another country and the person was unfamiliar with product, car, installation, english language, and everything. But that's just me. I get bi*chy with bad customer service.

MWA · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-07, 10:12 AM

Woob, I found the GM part number for my trunk changer- 98 Eldorado- and bought one on ebay. There were mounting holes tapped in the trunk on the right side under the carpeting. The pigtail that had a jumper in it near the antenna on the right also under the carpet was "plug and play". All I needed was a GM bracket that I ordered for about $12. Assembly hardware was purchased at a local store- capscrews for the bracket to the trunk and for the 12 disc CD changer to the bracket. My cassette/radio recognized it as soon as I plugged it in. Two wrinkles: cd's are installed label down or err message results and when cut #7-12 is desired, hold down the button a little longer until a beep is heard to play a higher number disc. ie. hold down the #1 button til the beep and then #7 cut will play.....#2 button for #8 cut. All I have read and heard on this forum is problems with other than OEM aftermarket equipment. Good luck- and maybe Airborn Express for Poopsie's V-Day!

StuJac · #8 (**permalink**) 02-10-07, 10:50 AM

FM modulators work but at a cost; your am reception. I ran a 12 disc changer in my 96 Deville through fm modulator and could barely understand anything on the am dial; significant interference due to the modulator. GM screwed this up big time and didn't correct it until well into the 2002 and after model years. You not only can't effectively use a modulator, you also can't use a casette adapter.

I'm told, over and over, by people who specialize in auto stereo's that the only way to actually do it is to take the radio out and mount it in the trunk, then go get a new head unit that has to wire through the original radio.

Another option, and the best option, is to go buy a changer with Cadillac head unit from a 99 that came with a changer. Just change out everything.

pompste · #9 (**permalink**) 02-10-07, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuJac

FM modulators work but at a cost; your am reception. I ran a 12 disc changer in my 96 Deville through fm modulator and could barely understand anything on the am dial; significant interference due to the modulator. GM screwed this up big time and didn't correct it until well into the 2002 and after model years. You not only can't effectively use a modulator, you also can't use a casette adapter.

I'm told, over and over, by people who specialize in auto stereo's that the only way to actually do it is to take the radio out and mount it in the trunk, then go get a new head unit that has to wire through the original radio.

Another option, and the best option, is to go buy a changer with Cadillac head unit from a 99 that came with a changer. Just change out everything.

Hi,sorry to hear the fm modulator did`nt work for your'96 Deville.
The 12 disc FM modulated changer i had installed in my '95 Deville works flawlessly----i get perfectly clear AM & FM reception along with crystal clear CD sound.
Perhaps i just lucked out.

Woob · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-07, 07:53 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Keep it coming. I think we're getting close. As for Poopsie... do you think a Valentine's Day IOU is a good idea?

MWA · #11 (**permalink**) 02-11-07, 09:13 PM

It appears so, Woob. She will like anything you give her for V-Day and you know that, but the install of twelve of her favorite cds will also make her day! I just checked ebay and there are several listed that appear to be the correct vintage, so bid and buy one! The install is the easiest part of the equation.................

lukky4u · #12 (**permalink**) 02-13-07, 11:48 PM

is your system bose? if not...and if it says "theftlock" or something like that on the display i believe you can look on ebay for 12disc cd changer. I got mine there and it works great....cost 60bucks. Just look at the pics really closely some will show a good close up view of the connection point of the cd changer.

Woob · #13 (**permalink**) 02-16-07, 11:38 PM

I do not have the Bose system. I am always checking out eBay and I'm working on a deal with a fellow member on this site to buy a changer.

MWA · #14 (**permalink**) 02-17-07, 10:48 AM

Let us know how the install goes after you purchase that changer. Even though it is not a Bose, (mine isn't either) it will have mighty fine sound.

Woob · #15 (**permalink**) 02-27-07, 08:07 AM

Well, I've bought a CD changer on eBay. Poopsie is excited. You can read about and help me out with my new woes on my latest post about install issues I'm having.

Thanks all!