CD Changer for my 2000 LeSabre (Custom) - Need Help!

[demetrax19]

Hi all,

I want to add a CD changer to my 2000 Buick LeSabre. From what I understand, this would be a Pioneer CDX-M1026ZG (GM #25659167) or something similar. It would be mounted in the rear right panel of the trunk. Pulling back the carpet on the right rear panel exposes a black plastic rectangular frame which I can only assume is a placeholder for an optional CD changer. A few people I've spoken to said that there should already be a plug somewhere in the trunk specifically for this purpose. However, I could not see a harness plug anywhere near there (on my vehicle) that would fit. I thought this would be a plug-and-play operation. I've been doing a lot of research about this, and I can't seem to find much information online. My local GM dealer was also somewhat stumped on the phone, as well as Buick Customer Care. The only thing I've found so far is the service manual for the changer. It has a vague diagram of the connections on the back.

I was at my local junkyard today, and I happened to find a harness that *looked* like it would fit, in the trunk of a scrapped Buick Park Avenue from the same era. It was in the same spot as it should be in my LeSabre, under the carpet. I salvaged this harness with plenty of wire and brought it home today.

The radio in my car is factory, double-DIN with CD+cassette player, Bose Concert Sound II sound system, all OEM from GM. Car was purchased new around 2000.

I am including as many pictures as I can, of the wiring harness I got, the CD changer I want, the connection schematic, and the mysterious plastic placeholder in my trunk. I have a good understanding of electronics and wiring, but I just don't know where to start. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Demetri

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Here's a free Chilton manual which has wiring diagrams that may help. The only thing that I see from the photos is the harness end that would plug into the head unit is missing, CD appears to be there. Also I would assume that a open port would be needed on the head unit but can't confirm.

Free Chilton Online Repair Manual

 

[demetrax19]

Here's a free Chilton manual which has wiring diagrams that may help. The only thing that I see from the photos is the harness end that would plug into the head unit is missing, CD appears to be there. Also I would assume that a open port would be needed on the head unit but can't confirm.

Free Chilton Online Repair Manual

The password for the repair manual is not working. It says "incorrect password." Also which head unit are you referring to?

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Can't answer about the password. The head unit, radio CD tape, in the dashboard is what I was referring to.

 

[demetrax19]

Can't answer about the password. The head unit, radio CD tape, in the dashboard is what I was referring to.

Okay thanks. I did some more digging and found that the plug I pulled out of that Park Avenue does indeed go to a CD player. I have the right plug.
More Information for ACDELCO PT108

So when you are referring to the plug for the head unit, you are talking about the harness plug that goes into the back of the head/radio unit, correct? The one that's already in my car behind my radio? I snagged the one out of that scrapped Park Avenue just to be safe. How then, does that head unit connect to the CD player's plug in the trunk? Are you able to make any sense of that diagram I attached?

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

The two ends that have the connectors look to be correct for the CD changer. But the other end of the harness with all the cut ends, they probably cut them to pull the radio, would have had the connector for the radio. Best observation, but without a diagram it's hard to say about what is needed or hooking up. Maybe someone else on the forum can add additional information.

 

[demetrax19]

Okay, it does seem to be the right connector for the CD player. According to the service manual for the changer, it looks like all I would need to connect are:

The Left and Right audio leads

Common (would this be negative/grounded to chassis, or is "gnd" my negative connection?)

Drain (? not sure what this means)

Battery (? again, not too sure)

GND (ground, presumably. Unless it's "common?" I'm confused between the two.)

NC (I'm assuming this means "no connection")

And Class II (which from what I read, is the GM serial data bus for all the instruments. This would be how it communicates with the radio?)



Sorry if these questions are dumb, I am just not too familiar with automotive electrical systems. Also the terminology like "common" and "ground" have me somewhat confused. Do they mean the same thing in this instance? Someone with experience in this department, your help is appreciated. 🙂

 

[HotZ28]

There is no such thing as a "dumb question" asked here! BTW, "common" and "ground" are the same thing!

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

I'm sure I may be wrong on some definitions, but the wiring harness connections on the diagram may have nothing to do with a GM description and more on consummer electronics industry description.

1&2 are the R, L audio channels.
3 is a common which may not always be a earth ground but a circuit ground.
4 Drain is a wire that will be used for removal of noise in the circuitry.
This is the audio part on the system

5 Batt battery
6 NC is usually a term for normally closed
7 GND would be a earth or in a vehicle frame ground.
8 NC same as 6.
9 & 10 Class 2 is the electronics term for type of wire and power used.
Power side of the unit.

Very simple definitions and without symbols or diagrams it's a guess on consummer electronics industry usage.

 

[Boosted2004SC]

I have this in my PAU and if I can look at anything or take pics, just let me know if it would help! I agree that Panasonic disc changer you showed is the one I have in the right top side of my trunk. Speaking of...I need to test that thing out.

 

[demetrax19]

I'm sure I may be wrong on some definitions, but the wiring harness connections on the diagram may have nothing to do with a GM description and more on consummer electronics industry description.

1&2 are the R, L audio channels.
3 is a common which may not always be a earth ground but a circuit ground.
4 Drain is a wire that will be used for removal of noise in the circuitry.
This is the audio part on the system

5 Batt battery
6 NC is usually a term for normally closed
7 GND would be a earth or in a vehicle frame ground.
8 NC same as 6.
9 & 10 Class 2 is the electronics term for type of wire and power used.
Power side of the unit.

Very simple definitions and without symbols or diagrams it's a guess on consummer electronics industry usage.

Thank you for the breakdown of the connections. Last night, I took a closer look at that wiring harness I snagged from the junkyard. I used my multimeter on continuity mode, and individually tested all the pins in that plug, identifying the corresponding wires on the other end. In doing this, I found out that only 7/10 pins are actually used in this instance. The connector itself is a multi-purpose part from ACDelco, but for this application, only 7 pins are used. I think I've finally got this part right.

3 is a common which may not always be a earth ground but a circuit ground.

1-3: you were right; these three pins are for the audio signal. The common (3) in this instance is a circuit ground for the left and right audio channels.

4 Drain is a wire that will be used for removal of noise in the circuitry.

4: this pin connects directly to the shielding wrapped around the audio wires. There is a foil-like shield around leads 1-3, essentially meaning that the audio connection from the CD changer back to the radio is shielded. That's why it's labeled "drain", because it drains out any unwanted noise or "hum".

5: this is +12 VDC.

7: this is -12 VDC (i.e. negative/ground to chassis).

9: this is the serial data link to all instruments and modules in the vehicle, known simply as "Class II". Further research indicates this was a proprietary serial data communication format used by GM in its vehicles for some time. Presumably, this is how the radio and changer would communicate.

The rest of the pins are not used. Also, I've come to the conclusion that "NC" in this case must stand for "no connection."

I've finally made some sense of these connections, and it all seems kind of straightforward. My next task is to find out which pins on the harness on the back of the head unit (radio) are for the CD player line inputs. Also, I need a point of reference for me to connect pin #9 to the Class II data bus. Is there a Class II data connection anywhere in the trunk area that I could tap in to?

As far as power is concerned, I can find a way to get +12V from the car, preferably from the same circuit as the radio. There is a grounding point less than a foot from where I plan to mount the changer, so that shouldn't be an issue.

I have this in my PAU and if I can look at anything or take pics, just let me know if it would help! I agree that Panasonic disc changer you showed is the one I have in the right top side of my trunk. Speaking of...I need to test that thing out.

Yes please, that would be a great help. 🙂

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Glad you got it figured out, hopefully the installation will go smoothly.

 

[demetrax19]

Glad you got it figured out, hopefully the installation will go smoothly.

Hopefully! I do however still need help finding a spot to tap into the Class II data bus. Is there anywhere in the trunk that has a data point I could tap into?

Also, I'm assuming once I figure out which pins on the back of the radio to hook into, and I get the changer hooked up and interfaced into the car's data bus, the radio will automatically recognize the CD changer, right? Is there programming that has to be done in the radio? It should just be plug-and-play at the point, right?

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

If can find a photo of the cut ends that may answer where those go, as to other programming and questions that's getting outside of my knowledge on these.

 

[96ImpalaSS]

Hopefully! I do however still need help finding a spot to tap into the Class II data bus. Is there anywhere in the trunk that has a data point I could tap into?

Also, I'm assuming once I figure out which pins on the back of the radio to hook into, and I get the changer hooked up and interfaced into the car's data bus, the radio will automatically recognize the CD changer, right? Is there programming that has to be done in the radio? It should just be plug-and-play at the point, right?

Any success? I’m at the same point.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Any success? I’m at the same point.

class II shouldnt be messed with.... all modules are connected to origin(ECM, BCM biggest two) by one wire and then each module uses that signal to listen for commands/requests, and when one is received, they can peer-to-peer bounce the response. If you add something onto it i think youre going to disrupt its intended design.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

demetrax19, Joined Aug 22, 2019, Last seen Sep 4, 2019.
Not sure if a response is coming, may want to read through the post / forum or start a new post with your question.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

demetrax19, Joined Aug 22, 2019, Last seen Sep 4, 2019.
Not sure if a response is coming, may want to read through the post / forum or start a new post with your question.

I wasn't speaking to the OP

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Neither was I, it was to 96ImpalaSS if looking for some reply. Hopefully converting to a Bluetooth radio adapter would be a considered option LOL, lot easier and no carrying cases.

 

[realjohnkramer]

Hey, i think i might have an answer to your question here, my school has access to shopkey, which has wiring diagrams. i can post whichever one you would like, (lesabre or PA) let me know!