2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Radio is bad bad
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=35172
Printed Date: May 14, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Topic: 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Radio is bad bad
Posted By: jeff_rdk
Subject: 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Radio is bad bad
Date Posted: July 07, 2004 at 8:21 AM
Just bought a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix and if I could change one thing...it would be the lousy stereo! I guess I should opted for the Monsoon or Bose. I think too it's the speaker placement. Don't get me the wrong, the Bass response is ok but the Mids and Treble sound like their in a bathroom. Very hollow and muffeld sounding. Does anyone have any quick fix or suggestions for this problem. Id rather not replace the head unit since I leased the vehicle. Maybe replacing the tweeters in the door would be a simple fix?? Adding a small 4 channel amp with some crossovers to the factory speakers? Maybe snipping the wires to the tweeters in the doors (were your legs totally cover the speakers) and mounting some aftermarket tweeters to the A Pillars?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. -Jeff_rdk
Replies:
Posted By: raydawg357
Date Posted: July 07, 2004 at 9:14 AM
Replace your HU for start. It will make a big difference. ------------- Do it right the first time
Posted By: jeff_rdk
Date Posted: July 07, 2004 at 10:02 AM
If I replace the head unit..is there an adaptor to retain the steering wheel controls?
Posted By: raydawg357
Date Posted: July 07, 2004 at 10:05 AM
PAC makes a unit that will allow you to use the steering wheel controls if your new HU comes with a remote
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Do it right the first time
Posted By: jeff_rdk
Date Posted: July 07, 2004 at 5:07 PM
Would a small EQ make any difference? and if so..what would one recommend. Remember...it would be hooked up to a factory HU. Would I need an adaptor for the hign pass. freq? O know this sounds ghetto..but since the car is a lease, I just want to get some more treble and mids. Open up the sound a little..im not looking for perfection..just something a little better then what it is. Thanks
Posted By: spddmon
Date Posted: July 07, 2004 at 7:12 PM
It is alot more difficult to replace a head unit in a new gm vehicle. The HU is controled by the BCM and removal of the head unit may cause adverse affects such as loss of door chimes, and on star capabilities which use the stock HU. People say that other features controled through the bcm are also affected (i.e. remote entry, airbags etc...) On my 2002 sunfire only the chimes were effected, but my computer system is much more simple than a grand prix. Also there is no access. power wire for the stock HU (powered by the data link connetion wire) and a suitable wire will have to be found to turn on a aftermarket deck. I have also been told that it could trigger a SES light. the best solution is a 4 channel amp with new speakers. To my knowlegde the factory speakers have a amp with a built in crossover for each channel/speaker. You cannot amp the stock speakers because the fronts are components and the crossover is in the amp.
Posted By: customsuburb
Date Posted: July 07, 2004 at 9:16 PM
I would replace the stock speakers with some good quality inexpensive coaxials up front and in the rear and a small amp to power them. You could keep the stock head-unit, and use an LOC to send a signal to the amp.
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: July 07, 2004 at 9:34 PM
I would do as customsuburb would do. You can keep the original speakers in your bottom right desk drawer, don't cut any original wires or plugs, and restore the car as original when the lease is up. And you'll have a system ready to install in the next lease...
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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: customsuburb
Date Posted: July 07, 2004 at 9:47 PM
Posted By: archemedes
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 12:11 AM
here's a link to a grand prix specific forum, many of the guys there have done upgrades and know the electrical system as well as most of the gm engineers
https://www.clubgp.com/
Posted By: Javelin3o4
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 12:25 AM
if you replace the deck if you need to, you can use the Scosche GM Relocation Harness, then just run a new ignition wire if needed, also the relocation harness comes with a speaker for door chime and/or on star. The harness costs about 60 bucks and also requires you leave the factory radio connected and mounted in the trunk or stuffed behind dash. Also I have noticed that it seems you use the relocation harness when you have Onstar or the message center display on your instrument cluster (animated display that flashes security or a battery icon), If you dont have either you could try just using the GM 32 pin harness adapter and just run a ignition wire for the radio.
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: July 08, 2004 at 4:40 PM
Find out what size speakers fit in your vehicle. Next head out and listen to this particular size of speakers. Good quality sound is different for all of us so purchse what sounds good to you. I like to recommend Eclipse and MB Quart, the latter being my favorite. They are an easy upgrade to add to a factory head unit and will make wuite the difference. Do not be scared away from replacing the factory cd player as well. It is a very easy job to do but is a job that is usually best left to a qualified professional. My recommendation on a cd player is Eclipse. I would take a step by step approach to this first. Replace the speakers, if you like how it sounds, leave it alone. If you don't then replace the factory head unit. Then add a 4 channel amp. A good game plan will work in your best interest here. Thank god you did not fall for the BOSE or MONSOON system, those words are a fancy word for an escapee from the trash can. <BOOMING VOICE AT NEW EMPLOYEE - CLOSE THE TRASH CAN, THAT BOSE CRAP IS MAKING A BREAK FOR IT> ------------- Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
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