When I heard that it would be $800 to install SIRIUS (and I had two PNP units already) I took it as a personal challenge to get it done myself. With some help removing interior panels, I was able to install the SV1 (radar-detector sized) unit in my ashtray with an in-line antenna adapter for a clean sound. It works perfectly, and power comes from the cigarette lighter. You have to be careful to tap the right wire at the c-lighter (auto headlamps will turn it off in the daytime). Can't remember color, but if you attempt, when using an electronic tester - test twice = once with lights on and once with them off. If there is no change, you've got the right wire.
Hope pics come through OK:
Last edited by cohiba1200 : 05-04-2006 at 05:41 PM.
how did you go about getting the dash taken apart. Usually once you get the first piece removed the rest are easy. Any tips on which one to remove first and how to get started? Also, did you use the Sirius DEI univeral antenna box for the antenna? I bought it just in case. I didn't know if you need an special adapter for the MB antenna? Thanks for the help.
First, take off the automatic transmission selector trim ring (pop-off), then, remove the cupholder, then the main part of the center console comes off easy. You have to remove the airvents in the center of the dash to have easy access to all the bolts that hold the radio in. It's really not that bad. Don't be scared, most stuff just pops in and out.
I did buy the DEI antenna adapter (you need the German adapter plug - its extra). The part that has the cig lighter is pop-out, too.
I used a Dremel tool to cut a notch out of the ashtray so that it would fit once everything was plugged in on the left side. Then, we put a wood block with black carpet on it so that it would sit up so you could see the display. Hope this helps.
Once you're all hooked-up, don't worry if the unit feels hot. It doesn't have much breathing room down there, and it runs hot anyway. It's fine.
If you mean THE satellite antenna - of course, you have to use that. What I'm talking about is a connection from the "FM out" on the radio to an in-line adapter, which goes between the car's antenna cable (from the back glass, run up through the console to the radio) and the radio itself. It's powered and is only on when you turn on your satellite radio. The purpose is to deaden the signals coming from the "air" and to amplify those coming from the sat radio (for clarity, sound quality, and no interference/flutter). Does that help?
Thanks for the info. Another question about the DEI antenna adapter. Did you have to patch it in from the trunk? Someone told me that all the radio and amplifier stuff is in the trunk so you would have to patch the antenna adapter in the trunk. Is there access from under the arm rest? Also, if you leave the satellite radio on and want to just switch the channel to a regular radio station, is it going to deaden all the channels or just the one you have dedacated to the Sirius FM channel.
No - it goes in behind the radio. It's patched in-line between the the antenna wire plug (that comes up front from the antenna's position on the top of the back glass) and the radio itself. You unplug that from the radio, plug it in to the adapter, and plug the adapter into the back of the radio. Don't mess around in the back seat (for this anyway) - it's not necessary.
The adapter should cut-off when you power-down the satellite radio. You won't even know it's there when the SAT radio is off. It doesn't interfere.
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