2000-2003 radio in a '99

[doogie_13]

Hey guys. This one's a long shot, but I figured some of you might know. Long story short, I need a new radio for my wife's '99 Sunfire, but all that is readily available are radios for '00s to '03. I there any way to hook one up (i.e. cut the connector off 'donor' car and use butt connectors to fit to actual car) or does anyone have experience in this. Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Maven]

I can't remember off top of my head but the issue gonna be if 2000 wasthe first year for BCM vin locking or not or if it was still radio based theft lock. As long as its still radio only theft isn't shouldn't be an issue.

[blackbirdracing]

As in expensive as aftermarket stereos go, why not go that route? You could get more features that the factory units ever had.

[doogie_13]

Thanks Maven, I will look into that. I did notice our oem 99 deck has theftlock on it, so hopefully that won't be an issue. I would ask around at work, but they will have no clue on something like this. Dealerships!

I was thinking about an aftermarket deck, but in the end I think I'm gonna go with the kiss method. I just want am/fm/cd. All those silly noises and neon lights tick me off too much, plus in some neighborhoods, make your car an attractive piece to break into.

[USMCFieldMP]

Your best bet would be a cheap aftermarket one.

However, if you search "TheftLock Stereo" on eBay... quite a few results pop up. Nothing listed for Sunfire/Grand Am though.

EDIT: or you could have searched the all powerful Google...

http://www.carforums.net/showthread....-Sunfire-Radio

The display on the radio does not work, I want to replace the radio. Can I substitute an OEM radio from 2000 for a 1999 Sunfire? The 2000 radio is much nicer, and it looks like it would fit in the dash.
Thanks for your help

thing about pontiac OE radios is the theftlock which requires you to reprogram the replacement radio. you can't simply take one radio from one car and put it in another because it stores the VIN internally and compares it to the VIN of the car and disables itself if they're different. a dealer can do this reprogramming for you for i forget....but around $50 i'm guessing.

Not true. Not for the 1999 Sunfire this user is posting about anyway. They didn't change to the VIN assigned Theftlock system until 2000 in the Sunfire, Bonneville, and Montana. 2001 in the Grand Am. 2004 in the Grand Prix. The Aztek has the newer system for all model years, as does the Vibe. The Firebird/TA used the old system until they 'killed' that car. (R.I.P.)

There's a lot of misinformation about GM radios. Google replacement radios. There are accurate listings for all sorts of GM (and other) radios that give year, make and model. They indicate which ones are computer-integrated and compatibility between models is addressed too. That's an important point because often the dealer will just tell you the ONE radio part number that came in your year/model. Nevermind that there's usually at least one more that will work. I guess they figure if you think you're limited to one part number, you're more likely to buy their over-priced unit. In actuality, I think people just give up and go buy an aftermarket radio, but that's not an easy or inexpensive proposition because of some of the other features GM has running through the radio...

What I was addressing was a fundamental difference in the radios. Specifically, the computer-integration piece. donniebaseball (the original poster) is talking about putting a 2000 radio in a 1999 Sunfire. 2000 is the year the Theftlock system changed in the Sunfire (and other Pontiac) vehicles. You cannot put a newer Theftlock radio in a vehicle that is not compatible. It REQUIRES a signal through the Class II data line that carries the VIN. If the radio doesn't receive the VIN signal, it locks. You can hook up power, ground, speakers, whatever and you won't get anything. I can guarantee you that from real experience with old and new radios. I'm not talking putting a 98 radio in a 94 or an 86. Yeah, that can be done. (Have done a LOT of those as well.) And yes, the old Theftlock system is easy to get around. But putting a newer GM radio (started appearing in 97 in Cadillacs, I believe, and most were converted by 2003) into an older vehicle is a completely different story. Even if you can get around the mounting, wiring and size issues (for most older vehicles), the computer-integrated piece is the kicker. The old wiring/ECMs simply don't have the capability to transmit the VIN as the radio requires it.

And even if you want to argue that he doesn't say the 2000 radio he wants to use is from a Sunfire, I'd say: "Fine, but I also pointed out in that same reply the years that the Pontiac radios changed in EVERY Pontiac vehicle, so he still has his answer." Or I could be more specific right now and just say "If it's a 2000 radio from a Grand Am, Grand Prix or Firebird, you can swap them into your 1999 Sunfire. If it's any other 2000 Pontiac radio, you're SOL."

[doogie_13]

Yea, I did read that one. Was kinda hoping from more input from different sources. Programming the VIN is no prob, tech2s galore at work. I think I will make her car the guinea pig.

[qwikredline]

just buy a cheap kenwood or similar aftermarket and stick it in. You cant do what you want to do without spending huge time and huge money, and its simplynot worth it.

[Kieran]

You would need to replace the dash too. IIRC the 99 and older dash frame has a smaller spot for the radio than 2000 and newer. The 99 radio is 1.5DIN and 2000 is 2DIN.

Like John said, just get an aftermarket. Only ♠♠♠♠ty thing there though is that aftermarket decks stick out a bit in the 99 and older J-bods. Besides, the 2000 radios have issues with leds burning out lol

[doogie_13]

You would need to replace the dash too. IIRC the 99 and older dash frame has a smaller spot for the radio than 2000 and newer. The 99 radio is 1.5DIN and 2000 is 2DIN.

Like John said, just get an aftermarket. Only ♠♠♠♠ty thing there though is that aftermarket decks stick out a bit in the 99 and older J-bods. Besides, the 2000 radios have issues with leds burning out lol

Actually no, this one fits in just perfect. Must be the freak of the bunch of them. Got my connector today. Going to give it a shot this weekend. LEDs are no prob for me either.

[Kieran]

Hmmm I have a 2005 Monsoon MP3 deck out of a Sunfire and a Delco deck out of a 98 Sunfire. They're different sizes, so yeah. That is weird if it fits np...