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Replacing original Carion Cassette Receiver w/ Graphic Equalizer w/ Pioneer CD Receiver (89 900 Turbo)

Anyone have experience uninstalling this deck w/ separate equalizer (and theft protection feature) and replacing w/ aftermarket equipment? A local electronics retailer wanted to charge an additional $120 to install a new CD Receiver because they 'had to bypass the amplifier.' And they still couldn't guarantee it would work, given the anti-theft feature in the Clarion for Saab system.

Experience stories, tips and info welcomed. I've installed a number of in-dash tape deck/cd/receiver units over the years and had good success, but am not an electrically savvy mechanic by any means.

Thank you.

Reply to
BJL
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I replaced the Clarion Cassette Receiver w/Graphic Equalizer that was in my '91 9000T. No problems at all. I bought a Blaupunkt head unit from Crutchfield, and they even included an adapter that allowed me to plug directly into the car's existing wiring harness. I think the amplifier (that your local retailer mentioned as needing to be bypassed) is only a part of the Harmon-Kardon systems in the newer Saabs. The amplifier in my Clarion was part of the radio cage and came out (somewhat) easily as I removed all the old radio components. The anti-theft feature is wholly internal to the radio and only comes into play if power is restored to that radio. Since it isn't part of the car, the factory radio's anti-theft feature can't interfere with an aftermaket replacement.

If you have replaced car radios before, this replacement should be no problem for you. The greatest difficulty you may have is deciding how to fill the second DIN slot. At the time I did the work, Blaupunkt offered an in-dash CD changer to help me solve that problem.

I hope I answered all your questions. Let me know if you have any others.

Walt Kienzle wkienzle (at) sbcglobal.net

Reply to
Walt Kienzle

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