2003 Saab 9-3

Hello all, I stumbled upon this site in my quest to upgrade the system in my new Saab.

This car is using whats known as the "MostNet" system which is totally new to me, Ive installed many straight forward upgraded systems but never run into this stuff.  Basically I want to get somthing going in this car, even if it means replacing the factory deck, but I cant find any info anywhere if there is even a wire harness for this system due to it using the Mostnet system.

Anyone have any suggestions or can point me in the right direction..... I need some good sounds now! haha

Thanks in advance

Hey thanks for the response.  It is a 2003 9-3 Linear edition.  It has the infotainment unit that has the large LCD display. 

I have figured out pretty much how to remove everything but the head unit... driving me nuts.

Hello Cooter, There is no where in the car to grab a pre-out.  The system is broadcasting all signals using fiber optic.  Many of us have now added an amplifier and subwoofer and it sounds pretty good.  The main unit is behind the A/C control panel, this simply prys out which will reveal the CD Changer if present and the tuner for the radio.  From there the whole chasis comes out by a clip on each side of it.  NOTE: Be careful when dealing with the wires in this car, if you snap a fiber cable, its not cheap to fix!

Best way to do this is to tap the factory amp which is under the drivers seat and use a Line-Level converter, spend an extra few bucks and get a nicer one like the Install Edge (Rockford).  This entails removing the drivers seat, it uses (2) T50 Torx bolts at the rear of the seat tracks.  From there the amp is visible, you will want to tap the front speakers, left and right, this will be your door speakers as they are carrying the lowest frequencies in the car.

You will need to run your power wire through the cabin into wherever you mount the amp, there is also no remote amp turn on in the car as well because the factory amp is switched on and off by the fiber optic cable as well, many of us have just tapped the 12V Switched wire from the cigarette lighter, it is a red wire with blue stripe, about 10-12 guage, easily accessible in the drivers side kick panel or directly behind the lighter in the dash/center area.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply 03_Saab.

Let me ask you something else. Right now I've tapped the rear speaker wires in the back dash. In mine, there are only 4 inch speakers back there. I assumed those would be carrying low power as well. I get a lot of noise in the sub when I do this. I know that the line level converter I'm using now is cheap. Do you think that is the bulk of the problem?

This amp/speaker just came out of my Infiniti and worked fine, so I don't think it's an equipment problem.

Thanks for your response.

Ah hah!  There is your problem, that signal going to those rear 4" speakers is crossed over and using some type of crappy saab filtering, that is why you are getting the noise!  Some other people on the Saab forum were having the same issues, me and another guy then tapped the amp under the driver seat for the front speaker signals.... BAM..... 100% better problem solved!

I would however spend the $25 on a good line level converter it makes all the difference!

Have you ever checked the online Saab forums?  www.saabcentral.com  We all share information there, you will find a good group of tinkerers, can find how to take the car apart etc etc.  One guy on there did a full install so he has like 2 systems in his car, pretty neat.

That all makes sense now. I'll go and get a decent Line-Level Conv. and the proceed to hook up to the amp. Are the front speaker wires identified or do you know the colors? If not, I'll figure it out. You've been a big help and I appreciate it. I'll check out www.saabcentral.com too.

PS - Did you do anything in the rear dash of yours like add 6x9s or anything. I see where the cut-outs are already there.

Thanks again.

No prob!  Once you slide the drivers seat all the way forward, then remove the bolts and lift the seat up, there is 1 bolt holding the amp in, make sure you have a Torx bit set cuz thats all this car uses.  The amp is Pioneer and it has a diagram on top which lays out what speaker is what, the amp under the seat there controls the left/right door speakers and the center channel.  Not to bad, just use those T taps, and spade connectors and its a piece of cake.

For the rear deck i left it stock for now, im thinking now that i have a signal back there for amp and RCA, eventually i may just drop in another 2 channel amp and throw in some 6x9's in the spot that is there, but for now just adding the sub did wonders.

Also if your car does not have the On-Star in it yet, when they put it in for you (retrofit) request the Audio System software upgrade, everyone said that it makes a nice difference on the overall volume you get out of the system.

I do have OnStar so I assume I have the upgrade. I am really pleased with the audio as it is now, as far as the front speakers go.

Thanks again for your help.