2000-2002 SL2 Stereo install

I searched and I searched and found no useful tips on how to do this, so I just decided to do it and hope for the best. Here is what I did (and the stereo works and no loose bits hanging out).

What you will need:

  1. a well lit area or a friend with a bright flashlight
  2. Mini socket set (or full size with the mini adapter). Specific sockets needed: 6.5mm, 7.5mm (I think - somewhere between 6 and 7.5mm - two different sizes).
  3. new single DIN radio with fit kit of your choice and adapter

How to: PULL FUSES first. These are located behind a door that is on the passenger side of the console - see user manual for location if you can't find it. Pull any and all fuses for radio and clock. Wait til clock turns off to begin taking off the dash.

Open Driver's door. In the side of the dash that you can see two circular holes about an inch across each. In each of these holes is a

7.5mm socket style screw. Remove. Pop off the section that these two screws hold on (there is a visible split in the dash immediately to the left of the gas gauge).

Remove all the screws that are under the steering column. There are two that are sunken in tubelike things that hold the top cover of the column on. One is on the righthand side and the other is only reachable when you fold the height lever down. Release the pressure clips on the top piece by pulling vertically up. All screws on this housing are smaller, 6.5mm headed screws.

All that remains is to pull at the dash until all the pressure fasteners release.

Unscrew the existing radio, unplug it, and plug in your new radio. replace dash. replace fuses. done.

/2002 Saturn SL2 Automatic and now with Sony CDXGT100 stereo :)

Reply to
johndpeterson
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Thanx johnpeter,

I reciently got an ipod and was wondering about changing my stereo so I could plug it in directly for best sound, but owing to the rash of B&Es downstairs, I'll have to leave that for some time in a better future.

Laz

Reply to
raamman

Something I found out about by accident. If you go to the Crutchfield site and register your car "What fits my car" and buy an air filter, you get the full stereo replacement instructions for free...or at least I did. BTW they did not have K&N filters in any auto parts store in my area....

Reply to
Gary

Modification: After taking a road trip with the stereo mentioned above, I decided it needed to be mounted with a little more oomph than the fit kit provided. Using the original brackets worked after I folded the lock bracket back and forth(weird bit on the right bracket that connected to some hole in the back for no apparent reason) and broke it off. Using the fit kit and bolting it in front of the brackets, it is firmly attached and no longer shakes. addition to tools needed: gerber multitool or other pliers.

hope this helps someone.

Reply to
johndpeterson

One correction for you. Most of the bolts are 7mm, except the ones for the ones for the steering column, which are 5.5mm. At least that's what my 2001 SL2 has.

Reply to
Jocko

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