93 Eldo, stereo replacement issues *HELP*

donsgal · #1 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 02:42 PM

Well. I have a 93 Eldorado and the Bose stereo system has crapped out (the CD player will not work), and I am looking to put in a new stereo system.

Problem is, the companies I have talked with about this insist that it is a MAJOR ordeal to replace the stereo system. Presumably the Bose that came with the car has the actual radio in the trunk and the dash board unit is just a tuner. Also the speakers, supposedly, have amps built in. Even though there is an adaper "harness", supposedly there is going to have to be a lot of rewiring involved to the tune of $500 - $700 (depending on who you talk to).

I am just wanting a nice simple little radio with cd player. a $99 special. I can't understand why this is such a major ordeal.

Can anyone here shed some light on what is going on with this? Has anyone here sucessfully put in a different stereo? Is there an easier/cheaper way to do this? Where can I get directions/instructions how to do it myself? Is that possible?

Any help is gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

donsgal

SPreston2001 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 02:57 PM

Yep what you heard is correct major PITA to install a aftermarket stereo. The speakers do have amps and thats the reason why you have to install new speakers and run new wires to them. The stock speaker wires on the harness are connected to the amps on the speakers. If you install a aftermarket stereo, you have to install your factory headunit in the trunk (yes run wires to the back) and install aftermarket speakers. Im not sure if the stock speakers will work or if they just wont be as loud since the Bose system uses a extremely low impedence. PM Jason (CadillacSTS2003) and he can walk you through everything you need to know.

**Playdrv4me** · #3 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donsgal

Well. I have a 93 Eldorado and the Bose stereo system has crapped out (the CD player will not work), and I am looking to put in a new stereo system.

Problem is, the companies I have talked with about this insist that it is a MAJOR ordeal to replace the stereo system. Presumably the Bose that came with the car has the actual radio in the trunk and the dash board unit is just a tuner. Also the speakers, supposedly, have amps built in. Even though there is an adaper "harness", supposedly there is going to have to be a lot of rewiring involved to the tune of $500 - $700 (depending on who you talk to).

I am just wanting a nice simple little radio with cd player. a $99 special. I can't understand why this is such a major ordeal.

Can anyone here shed some light on what is going on with this? Has anyone here sucessfully put in a different stereo? Is there an easier/cheaper way to do this? Where can I get directions/instructions how to do it myself? Is that possible?

Any help is gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

donsgal

They are correct. The Bose system in your car is quite complex. Each individual speaker contains a separate small amplifier, and the tuner module is located in the trunk of the car. You still have SEVERAL options here.

Replacement with aftermarket IS possible, as it has been done to mine. You can go the quick and dirty route and just run new wires to the EXISTING speakers and cut the leads for the factory amps near the speaker (not so short they can't be used again). This approach sort of works (and is how mine is currently), but the problem is that the Bose speakers have a very low impedance which will cause many aftermarket headunits to self-protect and cut out if you turn the volume up too high. It's just too much of a load.

The other option there is to take ALL the speakers out, and run new wires to brand new replacement speakers which will sound MUCH MUCH improved over your factory speakers and will not cause trouble with an aftermarket H/U. This as you have been told is either expensive, or requires alot of time and patience.

The next option is to just look for a factory Delco Bose Gold replacement CD/Cassette deck (there are tons out there in perfect shape) and use that to replace yours. Even if you have to spend 100 bucks on a perfect one, it is far cheaper than the amount of time and/or money you'll spend replacing the entire sound system. As opposed to our fellow Seville and Eldo owners with newer models, we also have a bonus in that our headunits are not tied in with any of the vehicle's other systems, and don't have TheftLock so they are a direct plug n' play affair. Just take the old one out, pop the new one in.

The FINAL and cheapest solution? Just get a HIGH quality car cassette adapter (Sony is best) and hook a portable CD player or better yet, an Ipod in to your existing tape deck through that (assuming the tape deck works). The sound quality will be just fine and youll have access to loads more music with an Ipod or other MP3 Player.

**Playdrv4me** · #4 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPreston2001

If you install a aftermarket stereo, you have to install your factory headunit in the trunk (yes run wires to the back)

This is -INCORRECT- for the early Sevilles and Eldorados. Our systems are FAR more simple than the convoluted stuff on the later cars. The only thing that needs to be run to the rear of the car for an aftermarket stereo is a LONG antenna lead to connect to the antenna wire near the tuner module in the back of the car.

creeker · #5 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 03:07 PM

I went through this about 5 years ago with my first 92 eldo,believe me in the long run it pays off to put in a whole new system,it really is not a complex job,I ran new wires and new speakers and a new a.m. f.m. c.d player unit,the only different thing is you have to run a new antenna lead from new radio to existing antenna, I am not an electrical wizard by any means, it went very smooth for me, you will also need an in dash adaptor
plate for new radio, I got mine at the then radio shack.( the source in canada).

**Playdrv4me** · #6 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creeker

I went through this about 5 years ago with my first 92 eldo,believe me in the long run it pays off to put in a whole new system,it really is not a complex job,I ran new wires and new speakers and a new a.m. f.m. c.d player unit,the only different thing is you have to run a new antenna lead from new radio to existing antenna, I am not an electrical wizard by any means, it went very smooth for me, you will also need an in dash adaptor
plate for new radio, I got mine at the then radio shack.( the source in canada).

Where did you get a long enough antenna wire to reach to the rear of the car, and what size speakers did you put in the doors and rear deck? Were you able to find a size that bolted in or did you have to use some kind of adapter plate to get them to attach?

creeker · #7 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creeker

I went through this about 5 years ago with my first 92 eldo,believe me in the long run it pays off to put in a whole new system,it really is not a complex job,I ran new wires and new speakers and a new a.m. f.m. c.d player unit,the only different thing is you have to run a new antenna lead from new radio to existing antenna, I am not an electrical wizard by any means, it went very smooth for me, you will also need an in dash adaptor
plate for new radio, I got mine at the then radio shack.( the source in canada).

You may also be told to remove back seat to run new wires,I just used a piece of coat hanger wire and fished it through to the trunk,run your wire from front to back of car under that wide plastic foot shield moulding on the floor, run all your wires down the one side to the trunk.

**Playdrv4me** · #8 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creeker

You may also be told to remove back seat to run new wires,I just used a piece of coat hanger wire and fished it through to the trunk,run your wire from front to back of car under that wide plastic foot shield moulding on the floor, run all your wires down the one side to the trunk.

Yea removing the backseat is not necessary. There are plenty of small "holes" to fish through with a helper or coat hanger and the plastic moulding along the floor is plenty large enough to accomodate all the wiring.

SPreston2001 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 03:23 PM

Oh sorry Playdrv I was thinking about the later models when I was talking about installing the HU in the trunk! Good catch!!

creeker · #10 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playdrv4me

Where did you get a long enough antenna wire to reach to the rear of the car, and what size speakers did you put in the doors and rear deck? Were you able to find a size that bolted in or did you have to use some kind of adapter plate to get them to attach?

You can easily buy an antenna extension lead, I used hard thin plastic
material to adapt to new speakers,put speakers on plastic then screw to door,it's 5 years and 4 caddys since I did it,I dont remember everything,just explain it to guy at the radio store, remember, dont sweat the small stuff,it's all small stuff.relax with it.

creeker · #11 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Playdrv4me

Yea removing the backseat is not necessary. There are plenty of small "holes" to fish through with a helper or coat hanger and the plastic moulding along the floor is plenty large enough to accomodate all the wiring.

Do I hear an echo ?, (sorry, couldn't resist).

**Playdrv4me** · #12 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creeker

Do I hear an echo ?, (sorry, couldn't resist).

Why yes! As a matter of fact, post #5 DOES sound an awful lot like posts 3 and 4!

CadillacSTS2003 · #13 (**permalink**) 07-22-09, 11:25 PM

yea it can be complex but it can be done
where are you located?

donsgal · #14 (**permalink**) 07-25-09, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CadillacSTS2003

yea it can be complex but it can be done
where are you located?

Rural SW Missouri, not too far from Branson.

donsgal

Analogy · #15 (**permalink**) 07-27-09, 12:54 PM

If you just want simple, your best bet is just to find a replacement for your existing Bose system. Replacing everything will cost a ton more and might not even sound better depending on what you get whereas replacing your "headunit" will be much cheaper and you'll still have very decent Bose sound. The best sound possible? Nah, but you don't seem to be concerned with the "perfect" system.