Hey there all - I'm a newby to the forum - first post as a matter of fact! We just got a used 2006 2LT with 15k miles and loaded with every option but onstar... Has the premium sound with the rear sub.

As a bit of background, I've been installing car stereos (at times for a living) for 14 or so years, so I'm not exactly a novice at that part. I'm in the process of enlarging the factory sub hole to a 10", and adding spacers to fit a Diamond sub.
I have Boston components on the way for the doors, and a Kicker 5 channel amp to power the whole deal.

The question is this: according to the documentation I've seen (http://n8zcc.com/pics/HHR/Audio_Connectors.pdf) the factory Pioneer amp has what appear to be preamp inputs leading into it, in the C3 connector (labeled Low Level Audio Signal). Has anyone tried to wire these into a set of RCA cables for use with an aftermarket amp? I don't mind experimenting, but thought someone may be able to save me some testing time, and the possability of blowing up the factory stereo...

Thanks all - madcap

PS - I have an AudioControl LC6 ready to go as well if needed, but would really prefer to keep anything extra out of the signal path for noise reasons...

 

to the site!!!

 

FYI - wired it up last night. Those are indeed pre-amp level outputs from the head deck, and can be wired up to an amp through RCA cables... Works better than most options I've had from factory stereos, and avoids the need for a converter! No noise at all this way.

 

Did only the pioneer have this preamp output your talking about?


Edit: disreguard my previous question I now see what your talking about

 

How do wire RCA's to wires, Without a line converter? Do you cut the end off of the RCA"s and hard wire the connections. Do you use the inner shield for positive or neg. ??? Allittle confused.

 

Short version of the story - I just cut an RCA cable in half, and stripped the cables. Each pair of RCA's will have 4 wires - One + and one - for each channel. Just tap those into the factory wires, and ta da! The outer shielding from the RCA's was just stripped and cut.

Disclaimer - I don't know for a fact that this should be a recommended method for anyone - I'm just saying that it worked for me. Try it at your own risk!

 

First off were are these connectors and the amp located in The HHR. I'm tring to install my amp for my 2 12s and of course It was easy for the ground and power but I can't find were to put the remote wire or the RCAs. By the way I'm trying to matain the factory head unit. Does this pose a problem?

 

What color are the factory line-level wires that you spliced into the RCA connectors?

 

Go to (http://n8zcc.com/pics/HHR/Audio_Connectors.pdf). It is the Audio Amplifier C3 (UQ3) Connector.

 

FYI and an update - this worked great for a few weeks, but the amp decided to toast itself, and i'm betting that the inputs were a higher level than it could take. I no longer recommend trying this, but will update you all if I can find a solution... Sorry!