I have been researching whether I can install a Delco 12 cd changer in my 1996 DeVille. I found this connector wrapped and tucked away next to the antenna. http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8428/dsc02259bzj3.jpg
It is the perfect length to reach the exact location of the bracket holes.
However the connector does not resemble the connector on any of the players I see for sale online. This almost looks like some sort of computer connection.

I should ad that while searching around in the cavity between the inner rear fender and the supports, I found a few more do-dads velcroed to the fender support bracket. I think one is actually the radio tuner. It is about the size of a pack of marlboros. It is black plastic and the antenna lead plugs into it. There is also a rechargeable ni-cad battery velcroed next to it.

Although the aforementioned connector lines up with the location of the 12 CD changer bracket, the plug is strange. It looks like a jack on a multi-line phone system or maybe some sort computer connection. It even has two thumbscrews to tighten it in place.
Is this the plug for the 12 cd changer?
Could all this stuff be part of an uninstalled navigation or On-Star system?

Is my DeVille weird or did they all come pre-wired for uninstalled accessories

96? oops I just wrote a big long answer based on general knowledge but I hadn't seen the year. Is that on the left side or right and I don't think they did 12 disc factory changers in 96.

Yes cars are always wired for uninstalled options.

....There is also a rechargeable ni-cad battery velcroed next to it.This makes me suspect there is some aftermarket equipment installed somewhere.

it is on the passenger side and 96 did have a 12 disc changer stereo upgrade.
I suspect thats what it is....although the way you described it seems to be somewhat homemade. Don't know that a car company would use those thumbscrews rather they would use the quick connect tabs for efficiency.
OnStar did debut in 96 but was still too knew to be a factory option I believe.
Sounds like someone was getting creative in your trunk...the battery puzzles me......hope you figure it out. Do you know who you bought it from....try looking into previous owners and asking them.

Could be for the onboard phone option?

Whatever it is, it was not added later. From the look of the parts and were they were hidden it was definitely a factory install. The rechargeable battery is wired to the little black box that has an antenna connector. The little black box has a FCC number on it. It seem to go to the same harness for the radio. The battery is about half the size as the batteries in those old motorola bag phones.

My guess is part of the OnStar system that was never fully installed. If that was a dealer installed option, them wouldn't the wiring come preinstalled. That way the dealer just has to slap in the unit.

Here is a composite pic showing the whole kit and kaboodle

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/5103/compositelj0.th.jpg (http://img116.imageshack.us/my.php?image=compositelj0.jpg)

Thanks

Mystery solved. I punched the FCC numbers on the little black box into Google.

It came back as registered to LoJac Corp. Now it makes sense. Was this an option, or aftermarket. I know who one of the previous owners was. Let's just say that It wouldn't suprise me if he was unaware his movements were being tracked. How bizzare!

Lo-Jack is an aftermarket security system...Like ADT for your car.
Wonder if you could get a unit and install it and then just sign up for the monitoring?

I am pretty sure the LoJack is fully installed. I think the unused plug was seperate, probably for OnStar.

If your vehicle has LoJack pre-installed, they charge $99.00 for an "inspection" for a second owner to use the unit.

If my Caddy gets stolen, I'll just call the police give them the vin and say oh, it has LoJack. The way the system works the police activate the unit. I am willing to bet it will work with out LoJack getting a second set of fees.

That connection is definitely not for a CD changer.
Those are usually on the bottom right corner of the trunk, right on the floor.
It is a single row of pins typically. It looks like half of a radio connector that they used to use around that time period.
Many cars were pre wired for CD changers.

It really looks like a parallel plug for a computer. But why in a car? DB-25 is a pretty common format for communications equipment but again, why in a car?

The first thing I thought when I looked at that was that it was a connector for the VCU. The OnStar cellular modem uses a connector like that on the early systems. It may have been hard wired in.
Back in those days OnStar was a dealer installed item (I did only one though) and some of the wiring was pre-run and some of it wasn't.