Need help installing a headunit in an 08 cobalt

[newfiedan]

ok guys first the details;
08 cobalt, stock stereo setup no onstar, no steering wheel controls, no amp.
I am a journeyman heavy equipment technician, and I have been doing car audio for about 15 years for myself and friends. My buddy wants me to install his deck/speakers/amp/sub since he trusts me entirely with his vehicle and knows my level of quality. I went to go get the adapter harness so I can may the deck plug and play with the stock wiring and to my amazement they wanted 150 bucks for the adapter. I told them they were nuts. So what I need to know is if the cheapo 12-15 dollar one is all I need or do I really need this overpriced piece of hardware to simply wire in a set of 4 amped speakers and a sub?

 

[Cobalt Tom]

welcome to the site btw

so you are putting a new deck in as well?

if yes then i do believe that you need the expensive adapter

I think there are some cheaper versions out there??? but someone else will have to chime in on that.

 

[newfiedan]

yeah the complete setup including the aftermarket deck is alpine. Speakers, deck, amp, sub, etc etc. I just have a hard time believing that you need a 150 dollar adapter to install an aftermarket deck and if you do then the guy who dreamed that up from GM needs to be shot, beat and pee'ed on. Damn engineers always make mechanics lives harder, thats why I quit doing automotive mechanical for a living. I still enjoy doing aftermarket sound in cars but 99% have always had a cheap adapter.

 

[Cobalt Tom]

yeah the complete setup including the aftermarket deck is alpine. Speakers, deck, amp, sub, etc etc. I just have a hard time believing that you need a 150 dollar adapter to install an aftermarket deck and if you do then the guy who dreamed that up from GM needs to be shot, beat and pee'ed on. Damn engineers always make mechanics lives harder, thats why I quit doing automotive mechanical for a living. I still enjoy doing aftermarket sound in cars but 99% have always had a cheap adapter.

i think its something like that your stereo houses most of the brains for your dash stuff...

 

[YelloEye]

Last I heard you need the adapter in order for the door chimes and blinkers to work since they run thru the driver speaker. Now if the head unit actually works with the cheapo I dunno.

 

[newfiedan]

Yeah I just think that its a cash grab when they piss around and make a stereo wayyyy overcomplicated so that it requires a way overpriced harness to wire in a nice aftermarket headunit.
This is from metra's website;
The GMOS-LAN-03 interface is designed to allow the user to replace the OEM radio with an aftermarket unit in non-amplified 2006-07 Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac Solstice, and Saturn Sky that use the new GMLAN data bus system and retains full functionality of the Onstar system as well as all safety and warning chimes. The GMOS-LAN-03 will also retain the retained accessory power convenience features. This interface has the capability of adjusting chime and Onstar volumes as well. In addition to these features, the GMOS-LAN-03 now has the required outputs for the installation of a navigation radio.

 

[Cobalt Tom]

Yeah I just think that its a cash grab when they piss around and make a stereo wayyyy overcomplicated so that it requires a way overpriced harness to wire in a nice aftermarket headunit.
This is from metra's website;
The GMOS-LAN-03 interface is designed to allow the user to replace the OEM radio with an aftermarket unit in non-amplified 2006-07 Chevrolet HHR, Pontiac Solstice, and Saturn Sky that use the new GMLAN data bus system and retains full functionality of the Onstar system as well as all safety and warning chimes. The GMOS-LAN-03 will also retain the retained accessory power convenience features. This interface has the capability of adjusting chime and Onstar volumes as well. In addition to these features, the GMOS-LAN-03 now has the required outputs for the installation of a navigation radio.

oh you wont get any disagreeing with that here

 

[YelloEye]

I believe they started that in 2007 not 2006. Cause I know my old purple one didnt need it. or I didnt notice lol

I'd bet money though that they started it in 2007. My 2009 needs one as well

 

[newfiedan]

I miss the simpler days of automotive when you could sit on top of the engine and work on it lol. Just bugs me when they make things soo complicated when there is no need for it. I have been working on cars/heavy equipmenet for 15 years and even big trucks are gettin stupid now. Technology is good and all and it has its place but they want to make things harder for the aftermarket guys these days. It was mid 06 up they started this crap setup.

 

[Cobalt Tom]

I miss the simpler days of automotive when you could sit on top of the engine and work on it lol. Just bugs me when they make things soo complicated when there is no need for it. I have been working on cars/heavy equipmenet for 15 years and even big trucks are gettin stupid now. Technology is good and all and it has its place but they want to make things harder for the aftermarket guys these days. It was mid 06 up they started this crap setup.

ya, i hear ya there!

 

[newfiedan]

I like the car overall, mind you. The ecotec was the first decent move that gm made for some time engine wise. I drive a 96 mazda mx3 v6 but I do like a blacked out cobalt with a nice tasteful set of chrome rims. No bodykit or wing. Just found this off the cobalt SS site.

Is there another solution other then the pricy gm lan harnesses for 07+ vehicles?

Yes you can buy the regular harness that will plug in but you will loose your door chimes.
Metra = 70-2202
Scoshe =
American International =
Bluewave =

 

[Jn2]

cheapo harness=lose your chime when the door is open, keys are in the car, when u use your turn signals, pretty much everything yoru car would chime for

expensive harness= everything still works, chimes and all


this started in 07, in 07 they made the chimes from from the speakers vs the cluster i believe is where it comes from on mine

 

[newfiedan]

from what I can tell from my research so far you don't loose the turn signals with the deck removed or cheapo harness just the door chimes and onstar capability which he does not have anyhow.

 

[YelloEye]

Easy enough to find out, pull the plug on the stock head unit and figure out what doesnt work any more.

 

[dman090]

ok im pretty knowledgeable in this feild.... so heres my 2 cents..

you can get the cheap harness:Metra 70-2202
pretty much anything in the car that "dings" is gonna go bye bye, i am using this harness my self and i LOVE not having annoying door chimes or blinker noises

OR

you can retain all that chimes shit using the : Metra GMOS-LAN-03( not really worth it IMO)

then your gonna need a antenna adapter :Metra 40-CR10

and to answer the mix up

05-06 cobalts the door chimes were in the gauge cluster
07-present cobalts, the door chimes came through the speakers

need anything else, just ask

 

[DaveBlank]

I think I could live without my seat belt chime, forgot you keys chime, what about your lights chime...but i kinda listen for the turn signal...

 

[dman090]

the lights chime? like if you leave your lights on when you turn the car off? it goes away too. every little "ding ding" goes away with the cehap metra harness

 

[YelloEye]

Turn signal click too I assume. Would be wierd for me not hearin it lol

 

[dman090]

yah the turn signal click gets lost too, i didnt like it at first, but i listen to my music so loud i dont realize its gone!

 

[YelloEye]

I don't listen to mine loud often. the turbo is better music