2004 Saturn Ion Radio Install

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=52661
Printed Date: May 13, 2024 at 3:23 PM

Topic: 2004 Saturn Ion Radio Install

Posted By: blade13432
Subject: 2004 Saturn Ion Radio Install
Date Posted: March 27, 2005 at 12:25 AM

I just got a '04 Saturn Ion 2 the other day and was putting all my audio equipment from my Integra over to the ION. I bought the Metra 70-2002 harness and soldered and heat shrinked my connections. I put it in and wire the deck directly to the battery and turned it on. The head unit came on but no sound. Also when I turned on the headlights the radio came on as well. I check, rechecked, then checked again all my connections. I have every wire connected correctly to the wire harness. I have installed many decks before but I have never had a problem like this. Please help me. TIA

Replies:

Posted By: blade13432
Date Posted: March 27, 2005 at 5:19 PM

Bump

Posted By: geepherder
Date Posted: March 27, 2005 at 6:42 PM

Have you verified the Metra wiring with a multimeter? It's possible (I doubt it) the Ion may have an external amplifier. Test the speaker leads for continuity. When in doubt, I always connect the amp turn-on and power antenna wires when they're in the harness.

I'd disconnect the dimmer/illumination wires as well and not use them. Where did you get accessory power? I'm not sure if that vehicle has it in the harness or not. If not, you can always catch it at the steering column or fuse box. Constant and ground should not be a problem.

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My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.

Posted By: kgerry
Date Posted: March 29, 2005 at 9:01 AM

there are two different systems in the Ions... if the plug is grey it's amplified and if the plug is blue it's not.... ( or vice versa, i cant remember without looking it up... lol)

what color is the plug that plugged into the head unit?

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Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

Posted By: Ravendarat
Date Posted: March 29, 2005 at 10:25 AM

I think grey is not and blue is amped, if my memory serves me right

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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

Posted By: blade13432
Date Posted: March 29, 2005 at 9:35 PM

Ok so it turns out that the Metra harness was not needed. The stock connection to the radio is like a harness itself. I cut that in half and wired it up like that . So if you have the unamplified system then the Metra harness is not needed. I got my amp and everything installed (did it myself). The harness is grey. Thanks for the help guys!

Posted By: geepherder
Date Posted: March 29, 2005 at 10:41 PM

Hahaha. You just defeated the purpose of the Metra harness- so you don't cut off the factory harness. The Metra harness plugs into the factory harness to give you all your connections.

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My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.

Posted By: blade13432
Date Posted: March 29, 2005 at 11:33 PM

geepherder wrote:

Hahaha. You just defeated the purpose of the Metra harness- so you don't cut off the factory harness. The Metra harness plugs into the factory harness to give you all your connections.

Correct. The Metra harness could not be used. As I stated before all the connections were correct. I tested everything. For some reason the harness did not have the right connections, ie the radio comming on with the illumiation lead. The factory radio has a harness of its own that plugs into the vehicle. Its like the Metra with the execption of having a plug for the stock radio. Cut the wire in half then you have your wiring harness.