Radio, 2006 Impala

I am getting ready to install a radio in my 2006 Impala. My question is do i have to use the harness that cost like 120.00 or is there something else that i can use?

well they do make a harness that will technically work that is much cheaper.....BUT...you will lose the door chime which also does seat belt, air bag and other warnings..you will lose RAP(the deck won't stay on after you turn key off) and have to run your own accessory wire..and some data communications may show a problem...then when you bring it to the dealer they will most likely blame everything on the deck install...so IMO...use the proper interface or leave the stock deck in.

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no doubt spending a little more to do it right will definatly save you a headache down the road. i have heard some horror stories about using the wrong harness or even chopping the harness and the cars airbags, abs and a lot of other rather important things not working properly at all. its alot more then just a door chime.

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2007 Acura TSX
SQ setup in the works

Thanks i guess my next question is this. Everything about the car shows up under my speedometer. I have buttons on the car where i can flip thru and check oil usage, tire pressure, whether or not i want the doors to unlock when i put the car in park, etc. Its not like the 05 model where the radio told everything about the car. So in that case would removing that radio and not relocating it still take away the chimes.

Radios in GM vehicles are not designed to be removed without the addition of a module to duplicate many features. This includes the chimes. In some places a vehicle won't pass a safety inspection if some of the features a radio is used for won't work anymore. If there were an easier and cheaper method, then all the companies that make modules for these purposes wouldn't be able to sell them. Do yourself a favour and buy the correct parts.

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sparky

I'd have to agree..there are some GM cars that require an actual display on the kit to replace the deck..quite a bit more money then the interface you need.

Before the interface harnesses were available we had to physically relocate the factory deck to the trunk and run wires back so the vehicle would not notice it was replaced.....quite a bit more work then just plugging in a harness..worth the money IMO.

The rule of thumb with most GM's is if the chime is coming from the front speaker...there is datacom of some type and you don't want to do it the cheap way.

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I have a 2006 Impala SS. I replaced my radio before there was a harness out with the chime module. I lost all my warning chimes and even the turn signal clicking noise, apparently thats made by the radio too! I've never had a problem with it though, no check engine light and everything works fine. The driver information center still works great. I tried to take an old chime module from my 03 Malibu that I traded in but it didn't work. Probably different data buss addressing. Anyway, good luck...