Replacing OEM radio in 1996 Deville Concours

[bil.dun]

Hey guys, I haven't posted in awhile....hopefully my question hasn't been beaten to death over the years(!) 

   I have sold my '99 Deville D'elegance. Time for a change. But although I'll miss it, the new owner is ecstatic over it, and will cherish and enjoy it for many years to come . It had 68k miles on it when sold.  So, I have purchased a 1996 Deville Concours. Beautiful car! Not perfect, but at 78k miles, in quite nice shape. There was a Sony 10 disc CD changer installed by the original owner, as the radio had no provision for a GM CD changer (am/FM/tape only). But the car does have the Bose amp setup, and connection in trunk for a CD changer. SO....I have purchased a used radio with the CD button, correct for this car, and it does work great ( checked it fully with the ignition in accessory mode, so as to not lock it out with the ignition turned on) and now I have ordered a new/ old stock GM CD changer, also correct for this vehicle. MY QUESTION IS- when I connect everything up properly, and have the car running, I assume it will lock out the new radio, IS THERE A WAY to program the new radio to the vehicle myself, with out going to the GM dealer, who, in my area, has become nothing but a money sucking, greedy dealership, that I HATE the idea of paying them $150 to program it. They claim it will take an hour, the radio will need to be removed, programmed, reinstalled, checked, etc. etc.  If someone out there can help me, that would be greatly appreciated. But, on the other hand, if you folks think I have no choice but to go to the dealer, I would respect that advice as well. Please, let me know!

      Many Thanks, and best regards

                                                Bill

 

 

[Bruce Nunnally]

Congrats on the new Cadillac.  I am not sure if this is something a Tech II could do without dealer, but that would be another expense regardless.

[Logan]

That era of GM is a little tricky. 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 GM was changing from OBDI to OBD II....and changing scanners. There was some overlapping going on. Some stuff the Tech 1 is better.....some stuff the Tech2 is better. But a 1999 I would go Tech 2. 

I think the last year for vehicle coverage on the Tech 2 is 2013. A GM MDI and laptop + subscription is the current tool being used. 

Even a Tech 2 clone may be a worthy investment on a vehicle that age. Just some stuff it's a must have. Personally I would try to get a real one....but the real ones can break down too. You could buy a clone and load up on the eBay warranty insurance. That year should not need the inline cable Candi interface module. 

A couple of visits to a dealer would cover the cost. That plus any knowledgeable techs of that era have retired or are deceased. 

You could also try a Delco radio / speedometer repair shop. You likely would have to walk the radio in. Most larger cities have one. It's where the dealers send clusters and radios to be repaired.  

[rockfangd]

I hope this helps. I have done these swaps all the way from 1996-1999.

1996-1997 should be plug and play as long as the radio matches original (BOSE, or NO BOSE)

You can also use a 1997 unit that has the sources buttons instead.

I went farther and got the RDS style from the 1999 and installed in both of my 1997s. I can try to help you as best I can. I have writeups on this forum with pictures of multiple installs. Always glad to see someone converting back to original.

Make sure the plug in the trunk is for the CD changer though. 7 pin. Also if you need a Head Unit I have a few spares. I would need to know exactly what setup you have.