2001 Grand Am Stereo Install

Hello everyone, I have a few questions about how to install a aftermarket stereo in a 2001 Grand Am.  It has the built in amp and everything.  I bought the wiring harness for it but it doesn't put any sound through the speakers.  I am assuming that I have to wire around the amp.  Anybody know how to do this??  Also, when I was screwing around with it trying to get it to work, the yellow wire, that always has power, got grounded and sparked.  Then the stereo wouldn't even power on.  So I figure there has to be a fuse blown.  All the fuses look OK.  I put the original stereo back in and that wouldn't turn on either.  Is there something I am missing?  I am doing this for my sister and she will kill me if I don't figure this out.  All wisdom that you can give me is very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Jizze

I haven't dealt with that car so I can't tell you what you need to do, but yes you blew a fuse. It's probably a 10A or 15A fuse which might make it easier to find.

I have checked under the hood and in fuse box in the car.  I have checked just about every single fuse, and they all look OK.  I don't know what to do.

Thanks,

Jizze

Oh yeah, something else I wanted to ask is I saw on the back of the stock stereo, next to where all the wires plug in there is another place for another harness to plug in it looks like.  Any idea what this could be?

Thanks Again,

Jizze 

That extra spot is probably either for a cd changer, or for steering wheel controls for the stereo.

Another thing about this vehicle--it might have the new class 2 wiring system, in which you need to use a special t-harness  (such as the Best Kits BHA2004T) and relocate the factory radio in order to retain all of the door chime and oil indicator lights features.

If once you've unplugged the radio, the door chimes still work (like when you leave your headlights on or the key in the ignition and open the door) then you don't have this class 2 system.  If you DO lose the door chimes you know you'll need the special harness. 

This other spot for a harness to plug in to....what does the connector look like?  Does it look like a DIN (circular) plug? or is it more like the main harness plug?

As for the problems with the sound ouptut, you might need to use a bypass harness like this one.

Sweet.  All that info is very good.  I have figured out that there is no ingnition connection but your info will help me to find where to splice it to bberman1.  esmith69 your info is great.  Yes the door chime doesn't work after I took the stereo out, and still doesn't sence the stereo doesn't work.  Do you have any suggestions, besides a fuse, why the stereo doesn't work anymore??

Thanks,

Jizze

Glad to help you but check the fuse boxes there are a total of 3 if I can remember 1 on driver side 1 on passenger and 1 under the hood. If you still have the manual you can look and see which fuses do what. But if I can remember correctly the fuse for the radio I on the passenger side fuse panel. But I have done the same thing with the same car with that yellow wire and it will blow the fuse and not work until you fix the fuse. So double check the fuse boxes and let us know what happens.