Re: Neo iOn in Buick Regal
Hi, I'm new here and a bit of a beginner when it comes to car audio.
I have a 2000 Buick Regal with a factory CD player, cassette deck, radio unit.
I've just bought a Neo iOn Ipod connector and the installation manual says my car is meant to have a socket for it to connect to in the trunk!!
I cannot see one. It's meant to be an 'optional' CD changer connection but all I see in there is the wiring harness plugging into the Monsoon amplifier.
Has anyone here got experience with this year/model that might shed some light on this?
Thanks,
Bill
Replies (12)
ttocs on 12/12/2004 13:47:12
does your deck say anything about "cd" on the front of it? Cd chngr was probably an option. The hrns may or may not be there, I assume you are looking behind and around the trim panels right? Often they will use tape or wire ties to tie it up out of the way.
bambam900 on 12/12/2004 21:08:43
Thanks for the reply TTOCS.
Yes the deck is a actually a single CD/Cassette/Radio deck with a 'source' button. The people at Neo Ion tell me this unit should have the changer socket but I'm beginning to have my doubts. I'll take your advice and take out the trim in the trunk and see if anything is taped or tied out of sight. I'm away from the car for a couple of days so I'll post more next week.
Much appreciated.
Bill
ttocs on 12/13/2004 15:33:32
there is a chance that it has the option, but does not have the cable ran. You would need to remove the radio and look on the back to see. The cable would be hidden behind the trunk liner however. Does this mean you have to put the ipod in the trunk?
bambam900 on 12/13/2004 18:56:15
He he he.. yes, that's what I was thinking - actually the cable is around 10 feet long so I'm hoping that if the socket is in the trunk so I can connect the Ipod converter, there'll be enough to re-route the cable back into the car.
It'd be a bit daft to have the i-pod in the trunk - although, it has many many more songs than a real CD changer so maybe it'd work there also.
I don't relish removing the radio to look at the back - I'm guessing that would be difficult: and that's what we pay you professionals for!!! heh? If it's going to mean taking the dashboard off and suchlike, I'll take the car to a pro installer and ask them to have a look for me.
Cheers, Bill
ttocs on 12/13/2004 21:07:48
get me a pick of the dash and we will get you through it..... I can't remember that dash specifically, I either remember that it is real easy or really hard..............
Got all most of my bases covered there huh?
Crum on 12/15/2004 10:32:14
Question for ttocs. . . if Bill removes the stereo to check for the CD changer output and finds no cord, would it be possilble to plug the ipod adapter directly into the back of his stereo? If he cannot, he may prefer to buy a short adapter cord - I would think access the ipod from the driver's seat would be most convenient.
Bill, it's really not that bad getting to the stereo. I've changed the deck of my old Jeep and my Toyota. Typically there are a few screws to take out and plastic pieces that just snap into place. I'm sure ttocs can guide you through it once you get him a picture.
Crum
bambam900 on 12/18/2004 16:41:58
TTOC, I posted up some shots of my dashboard but couldn't figure out how to get the photos 'in thread' so here are the URLs:-
http://users.adelphia.net/~tammiebradford/dash1.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~tammiebradford/dash2.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~tammiebradford/dash3.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~tammiebradford/dash4.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~tammiebradford/dash5.jpg
Any idea how tricky this would be..?
bambam900 on 12/18/2004 16:54:05
Crum, yes it'll definitely be preferable to have the IPOD adapter plug into the back of the radio.
I am certain now that the CD Changer cable is missing from my car - this is apparently a common issue with the Regal, GM stopped fitting them to some cars in 1999, some have them and some don't..
I think I've got the info I need on the RegalGS site - ie which 'short' CD changer cable to plug in the back so that the IPOD adapter can plug into that.
http://www.regalgs.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15921
ttocs on 12/19/2004 16:35:34
serry fer the delay, been on vacation back home. The usual, hangin with friends, bickering with the fam...
crum - If there is no cable plugged in, then I think he/you should be able to plug your cable directly into the deck. Most cable are the same on both ends, however there is always an exception. I don't think a 10' cable will reach from the trunk, back up front, it would be close..
lookin at that dash, its been a while since I saw one. It is either going to be very easy and just pull off, or VERY labor intesive with alot of part to take off. If I had to guess, it will be the latter of the two. Open the glove box and see if there are screws holding the black trim on, on top of the glove box. If there are, you will probably have to remove the entire bottom of the dash, prior to removing the black trim....
let me know and I will check back.
bambam900 on 01/19/2005 23:16:29
Just for the record I'd like to update this list on the situation with my Neo ion I-pod Installation.
I tried to install the Neo Ion (www.neocaraudio.com) in my 2000 Buick Regal but the requisite CD Changer cable was missing from the trunk. It turns out that the cable has been discontinued by GM since 2000.
On advice from a CaddyMac on RegalGS.org, I purchased the GMH32T "T" harness from Car Domain (www.cardomain.com) and had my GM dealer install this harness in the back of my factory radio. (Yep, I chickened out). Neo Ion shipped me their GM-A cable (cable used for Chevrolet Malibu on the cable list). This attached directly to the aftermarket T-harness. I set the dip switches to the E&C protocol:- < off off on off off off off on > plugged it in and it works exactly as described.
Perfect sound, great usability.
Thanks for your input and advice everyone.
ttocs on 01/20/2005 11:18:31
sounds good. What did the dealer charge?
swez on 01/20/2005 12:41:03
I don't blame you for having the job farmed out. After doing several GM dashes, they can be a real pain if you don't know where all the trim screws are located. Miss one, give it a tug and "snap", we have a damaged piece of trim to repair/replace. So far, have been lucky to find them all... but it takes a lot of time and effort. Definitely prefer the Ford/Lincoln HU's from older cars and such. They are a breeze with the "U" tool.
Swez
Hi, I'm new here and a bit of a beginner when it comes to car audio.
I have a 2000 Buick Regal with a factory CD player, cassette deck, radio unit.
I've just bought a Neo iOn Ipod connector and the installation manual says my car is meant to have a socket for it to connect to in the trunk!!
I cannot see one. It's meant to be an 'optional' CD changer connection but all I see in there is the wiring harness plugging into the Monsoon amplifier.
Has anyone here got experience with this year/model that might shed some light on this?
Thanks,
Bill
Replies (12)
ttocs on 12/12/2004 13:47:12
does your deck say anything about "cd" on the front of it? Cd chngr was probably an option. The hrns may or may not be there, I assume you are looking behind and around the trim panels right? Often they will use tape or wire ties to tie it up out of the way.
bambam900 on 12/12/2004 21:08:43
Thanks for the reply TTOCS.
Yes the deck is a actually a single CD/Cassette/Radio deck with a 'source' button. The people at Neo Ion tell me this unit should have the changer socket but I'm beginning to have my doubts. I'll take your advice and take out the trim in the trunk and see if anything is taped or tied out of sight. I'm away from the car for a couple of days so I'll post more next week.
Much appreciated.
Bill
ttocs on 12/13/2004 15:33:32
there is a chance that it has the option, but does not have the cable ran. You would need to remove the radio and look on the back to see. The cable would be hidden behind the trunk liner however. Does this mean you have to put the ipod in the trunk?
bambam900 on 12/13/2004 18:56:15
He he he.. yes, that's what I was thinking - actually the cable is around 10 feet long so I'm hoping that if the socket is in the trunk so I can connect the Ipod converter, there'll be enough to re-route the cable back into the car.
It'd be a bit daft to have the i-pod in the trunk - although, it has many many more songs than a real CD changer so maybe it'd work there also.
I don't relish removing the radio to look at the back - I'm guessing that would be difficult: and that's what we pay you professionals for!!! heh? If it's going to mean taking the dashboard off and suchlike, I'll take the car to a pro installer and ask them to have a look for me.
Cheers, Bill
ttocs on 12/13/2004 21:07:48
get me a pick of the dash and we will get you through it..... I can't remember that dash specifically, I either remember that it is real easy or really hard..............
Got all most of my bases covered there huh?
Crum on 12/15/2004 10:32:14
Question for ttocs. . . if Bill removes the stereo to check for the CD changer output and finds no cord, would it be possilble to plug the ipod adapter directly into the back of his stereo? If he cannot, he may prefer to buy a short adapter cord - I would think access the ipod from the driver's seat would be most convenient.
Bill, it's really not that bad getting to the stereo. I've changed the deck of my old Jeep and my Toyota. Typically there are a few screws to take out and plastic pieces that just snap into place. I'm sure ttocs can guide you through it once you get him a picture.
Crum
bambam900 on 12/18/2004 16:41:58
TTOC, I posted up some shots of my dashboard but couldn't figure out how to get the photos 'in thread' so here are the URLs:-
http://users.adelphia.net/~tammiebradford/dash1.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~tammiebradford/dash2.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~tammiebradford/dash3.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~tammiebradford/dash4.jpg
http://users.adelphia.net/~tammiebradford/dash5.jpg
Any idea how tricky this would be..?
bambam900 on 12/18/2004 16:54:05
Crum, yes it'll definitely be preferable to have the IPOD adapter plug into the back of the radio.
I am certain now that the CD Changer cable is missing from my car - this is apparently a common issue with the Regal, GM stopped fitting them to some cars in 1999, some have them and some don't..
I think I've got the info I need on the RegalGS site - ie which 'short' CD changer cable to plug in the back so that the IPOD adapter can plug into that.
http://www.regalgs.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15921
ttocs on 12/19/2004 16:35:34
serry fer the delay, been on vacation back home. The usual, hangin with friends, bickering with the fam...
crum - If there is no cable plugged in, then I think he/you should be able to plug your cable directly into the deck. Most cable are the same on both ends, however there is always an exception. I don't think a 10' cable will reach from the trunk, back up front, it would be close..
lookin at that dash, its been a while since I saw one. It is either going to be very easy and just pull off, or VERY labor intesive with alot of part to take off. If I had to guess, it will be the latter of the two. Open the glove box and see if there are screws holding the black trim on, on top of the glove box. If there are, you will probably have to remove the entire bottom of the dash, prior to removing the black trim....
let me know and I will check back.
bambam900 on 01/19/2005 23:16:29
Just for the record I'd like to update this list on the situation with my Neo ion I-pod Installation.
I tried to install the Neo Ion (www.neocaraudio.com) in my 2000 Buick Regal but the requisite CD Changer cable was missing from the trunk. It turns out that the cable has been discontinued by GM since 2000.
On advice from a CaddyMac on RegalGS.org, I purchased the GMH32T "T" harness from Car Domain (www.cardomain.com) and had my GM dealer install this harness in the back of my factory radio. (Yep, I chickened out). Neo Ion shipped me their GM-A cable (cable used for Chevrolet Malibu on the cable list). This attached directly to the aftermarket T-harness. I set the dip switches to the E&C protocol:- < off off on off off off off on > plugged it in and it works exactly as described.
Perfect sound, great usability.
Thanks for your input and advice everyone.
ttocs on 01/20/2005 11:18:31
sounds good. What did the dealer charge?
swez on 01/20/2005 12:41:03
I don't blame you for having the job farmed out. After doing several GM dashes, they can be a real pain if you don't know where all the trim screws are located. Miss one, give it a tug and "snap", we have a damaged piece of trim to repair/replace. So far, have been lucky to find them all... but it takes a lot of time and effort. Definitely prefer the Ford/Lincoln HU's from older cars and such. They are a breeze with the "U" tool.
Swez
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