Printer Friendly Forum Posts - iPod conundrum with 2001 Saturn L200

Hi Y'all...

My girlfriend just got an iPod MP3 player, and she wants to be able to listen to it in her 2001 Saturn L200. The car's factory head unit only has a CD player, no tape deck, and no CD changer control to hack onto.

We tried out a FM transmitter made by Monster. The audio quality was terrible and the noise floor was really high. I had previously tried FM transmitters by Belkin and others in my Olds, so we wrote off that option.

Next, I tried out a direct-inline FM modulator from Best Buy. It connected inline with the head unit's antenna connection, and had RCA inputs. The sound quality was a little better with this, but not much and the noise was still bothersome. Either way, not worth the $45 Best Buy charged for it.

Now I'm looking at purchasing the AM/FM/CD/CASS head unit that was available as an option on the car. There are several for sale on eBay (example: https://tinyurl.com/bzthh) but the connector on this head unit (black, 24-pin + 12-pin) is different from the one on the current AM/FM/CD head unit (white, 20-pin).

All of the salvaged AM/FM/CD/CASS head units are advertised as not including the short (~6") stub harness that connects the head to the car's standard connector (for which a variety of stripped+tinned harnesses are available).

What should my next step be here? We've tried the FM transmitter and modulator options, and they both sucked. I'd like to be able to pull off this head unit swapout, but without the stub harness, without the pinouts for the connector, and without the connector make and part number, I don't think it'll happen. Even if I were able to find one at a local salvage yard, including the stub harness, the replacement radio still has theft protection and I'd need to figure out how to unlock it.

AARGH!

The only obvious solution that I haven't mentioned here is going full-aftermarket, with a new head unit that has AUX RCA inputs. I doubt my girlfriend would like that, mostly for cosmetic reasons, but also due to theft concerns. She won't want to bother with detachable faceplates, etc. Not to mention the price!

My plan at this point is to visit the local Saturn dealer and figure out what the GM OEM part number is for the 6" stub harness. From there I can run the price at the major parts wholesalers and hopefully get it reasonably. Next, I'll make sure the dealer has the capability to set me up with an unlock code given the new head unit's serial number and its former host vehicle's VIN (which the salvage place provides for all stereos).

Any other ideas??

Dave