Hey everybody. Just bought my first CTS last night and have to say I'm loving it. It's a 03' sport. I do have a quick question though. I have XM in all my other cars but on this one I don't have the option in the bands on the radio. It's the premium bose setup with Navigation so I thought it would have just come with it. I talked to the people at XM and they said I have to buy the Terk modulator kit and it plugs into the back of the navigation system. Does anyone have experience with this? And if so, can you give any pointers on getting the dash apart?

Thank you in advance for the help and look forward to many hours of reading these forums!


-Tim

congrats but i have no clue.....someone will know..:thumbsup:

Was satellite radio even offered in 2003?

The XM direct kits are great. I haven't done one in a CTS but I have installed one in a Seville and one in a Colorado and they went in without a hitch. The only tricky part is finding a place to install and secure the boxes for the kit.
The CTS dash is pretty tight but you should be able to do it.
There are quite a few threads on removing the radio on that car.

That sucks. I have sirius so i am in a dilema also. Might just switch to xm to use the stock equipment.

Would perhaps one of these work?

http://www.myradiostore.com/bundles/car/xm-direct-gm-general-motors-xmdgm100.html

My understanding is that the factory XM tuners are VIN encoded and can't be cleared. XM was not an option until late '03 with the release of the DVD Nav (Black dash cars), but not all cars were ordered with XM (it was a $300 option). The Radios and More kit installs and works like factory. I've got my GM adapter and XM tuner behind (and under) the ashtray. It's tight, but it works.

Go to CadillacFAQ on how to hack your own harness from a generic GM XM kit (for around $150), or buy the Radios and More kit for around $250. If you've got a pewter (dark grey) dash car, this won't work, since there is no XM decoding Software in the head units. (I found out the hard way, and am now on my second Nav).

Thanks for all the information. I'm a little confused though. I do NOT have the DVD nav so are you saying the xmdirect kit for GM would not work then? I also seen one that works off the RDS in the radio. Here is the GM xmdirect that I found...

GM Kit (http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=15006&langId=-1) RDS Kit (http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14946&langId=-1)

Thanks in advance.

My understanding is that the factory XM tuners are VIN encoded and can't be cleared. XM was not an option until late '03 with the release of the DVD Nav (Black dash cars), but not all cars were ordered with XM (it was a $300 option). The Radios and More kit installs and works like factory. I've got my GM adapter and XM tuner behind (and under) the ashtray. It's tight, but it works.

Go to CadillacFAQ on how to hack your own harness from a generic GM XM kit (for around $150), or buy the Radios and More kit for around $250. If you've got a pewter (dark grey) dash car, this won't work, since there is no XM decoding Software in the head units. (I found out the hard way, and am now on my second Nav).

That's what is so great about this site. Lots of support.

:welcome: to the forum and congrats on your new ride.:banana:

Thanks for all the information. I'm a little confused though. I do NOT have the DVD nav so are you saying the xmdirect kit for GM would not work then? I also seen one that works off the RDS in the radio. Here is the GM xmdirect that I found...

GM Kit (http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=15006&langId=-1) RDS Kit (http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14946&langId=-1)

Thanks in advance.

A built in unit won't work, since you don't have the docoder software. I dont' know much about the RDS kit, but you can always also use an external XM kit like the Terk XM Commander. It uses a hardline FM modulator, and has an external display/controller. I used mine with my '03 Nav, until I got a DVD Nav.

Ya. I have an XM Roady from our blazer I could put in there. Just hate to "junk" up the CTS though. Just doesn't seem right! :)

Thank you all for the help!

Hello Shill, I see you are from Waterloo, I'm just down the road near Chester.

First, I'd check the inside panel of your drivers side door and look for the build date. The latest that the '03's were built was June of 03. Supposedly some of the late 03's had the xm option. If it's an early build then you might try the XM Commander like I did. Here's the link:

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-cts-forum/71491-xm-commander-install-03-cts.html?highlight=xm+commander+on+03+CTS

If you want to check it out in person, let me know.

I would love to see that actually. Looks like a very clean install. I have a XM Roady in my one car now and it's a PAIN to switch the frequency when we're driving and honestly the sound quality is horrible. Since that taps into the actual radio is it any better?

-Tim

It sounds great! I've never had any static, interference or dropout. The other nice thing is you get more info on the screen than on the factory radio. Since you don't have 50 posts yet, I can't PM you. If you want to send me your e-mail, I'll give you my contact info.

it's schill32 at hotmail

Sent e-mail

Didn't get it.

is it hotmail.com or hotmail.net?

.com