2001 malibu, head unit wiring

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=107880
Printed Date: May 12, 2025 at 6:07 AM

Topic: 2001 malibu, head unit wiring

Posted By: jarredh
Subject: 2001 malibu, head unit wiring
Date Posted: October 02, 2008 at 3:54 PM

I have a 2001 malibu, and i bought my stereo(pioneer) and was thinking of just splicing the wires and connecting them with some electrical tape with the diagram below. I asked people at circuit city and they said that they would not recommend that because it could put check engine light on. I don't really care about that but then they were saying something about the airbag light. I just want to know if you would recommend this? I don't want to spend $80 for the harness that seems unnecessary.

|     RADIO 12V|orange              |+  |at radio     |
|     RADIO GROUND|     |   |             |
|     RADIO SWITCH|yellow              |+  |at radio     |
|     RADIO ILLUMINATE|     |   |             |
|     POWER ANTENNA|dk. green           |   |at radio     |
|     LF SPEAKER|tan - gray          |   |at radio or LF speaker      |
|     RF SPEAKER|lt. grn - dk. grn   |   |at radio or RF speaker      |
|     LR SPEAKER|brown - yellow      |   |at radio or LR speaker      |
|     RR SPEAKER|dk. blu - lt. blu   |   |at radio or RR speaker      |

Replies:

Posted By: ckeeler
Date Posted: October 02, 2008 at 4:35 PM

that harness should not be nessassary for your year make and model. i would suggest though that if you do this install you at least use something else besides electrical tape or wire nut or scotch locks or t-taps to make your connections. its well worth it and you wont ever regret spending a few dollars on a good pair of crimpers and using good butt connectors.

Posted By: jarredh
Date Posted: October 02, 2008 at 4:46 PM

ah yes, i was thinking of that. was not sure after i crimp it, should i wrap it in electrical tape? I know in my first car I use a few wire nuts and tape, worked out well until the tree got in the way. just not sure because I remember reading that the chimes, dash, airbags and everything is connected through the radio. I was reading a little more and it said something about getting the wire harness adapter that is VT-GMRC-01 and the cheapest 1 that i have found is around $70

Posted By: ckeeler
Date Posted: October 02, 2008 at 4:54 PM

you are most definitly correct in what can happen without that harness, but, if your model has a switched wire right at the back of the unit and is only a din and1/2, it wont apply to your car. is it a din and a half dash or double din height?

Posted By: jarredh
Date Posted: October 02, 2008 at 5:07 PM

in dash it is a din 1/2

Posted By: ckeeler
Date Posted: October 02, 2008 at 5:20 PM

you dont need the harness in that case. posted_image

Posted By: memfus_boi
Date Posted: October 07, 2008 at 12:33 AM

IMO u should go 2 circuit city and get the plug for your car i think the number is 80-1858 (i work at circuit city) but it will make things alot easier!!! also im not exactly sure but u might need to get your acc. wire from another source.

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