Again on the Topic of Head Unit Upgrades (hopefully this is at least a little different)

[mccluskd]

I've blown through just about all the content that has to dowith upgrading or changing or doing SOMETHING that will help the stereo out inmy 04, and alas there's no real option other than bypassing what's alreadythere. Now on to an even biggerproblem. I don't even have the XM on thehead unit. Evidently it was the onlyoption not available, and so whoever bought it back in the day decided theydidn't need all that fancy rigmarole satellite stuff. This leaves me in a quandary as I'm not surehow to rework the configuration without an auxiliary input to update the bluetooth capabilities I've seen so well explained on here. So essentially in a nut shell, I'm wondering if:

1.) is it worth me looking to find another head unit thatwould have XM radio in it, to replace the one I have<o></o>
2.) will I have to change over any other aspects of the caror add something so that either the XM will work, or even function inside a carit wasn't built for
3.) should I stick with what I have, be happy I purchasedsuch an awesome freaking vehicle, and listen to whatever I burn, or can milkfrom a FM Modulator.
<o </o
Anyway, this has been floating around in my head while I sitlooking at that damn snow on top of the cover on top of the Cadillac I justbought and can't drive.

Any assistance or guidance would be appreciated.

 

[nerkpowers]

I have an '04 with the XM module, the infamous "wart". I would be surprised if the wiring harness was not still there. Maybe CCClarke or Cadillac Tech can chime in on this. The harness would be located in the trunk directly behind the drivers seat just under the tonneau cover.


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[cubby558]

First, the XM module is not in the head unit. It is a separate module located in the trunk behind the seats. The only thing you may not have is the wiring for the XM antenna, which was mounted on the trunk on the '04 & '05 models. You could look in the trunk, behind the passenger seat and see if the wiring is there, that would be a starting point. XM was an option on '04 and maybe the '05 too, but became standard in '06. My guess is they used the same wiring harness throughout production, so my guess is the wiring is there. Finding the module could be the bigger problem. Maybe check with someone like gmpartsdirect.com and see if they show it as available. You will then have to see if the deck lid is wired for the antenna and find that as well.

If you are only wanting this to do the Bluetooth as discussed in another thread, you can have a different cable made from Ray Kawal that would wire from the head unit rather than the XM module and give you the aux jack you are looking for. Hope this info helped.

I've blown through just about all the content that has to dowith upgrading or changing or doing SOMETHING that will help the stereo out inmy 04, and alas there's no real option other than bypassing what's alreadythere. Now on to an even biggerproblem. I don't even have the XM on thehead unit. Evidently it was the onlyoption not available, and so whoever bought it back in the day decided theydidn't need all that fancy rigmarole satellite stuff. This leaves me in a quandary as I'm not surehow to rework the configuration without an auxiliary input to update the bluetooth capabilities I've seen so well explained on here. So essentially in a nut shell, I'm wondering if:

1.) is it worth me looking to find another head unit thatwould have XM radio in it, to replace the one I have<o>
2.) will I have to change over any other aspects of the caror add something so that either the XM will work, or even function inside a carit wasn't built for
3.) should I stick with what I have, be happy I purchasedsuch an awesome freaking vehicle, and listen to whatever I burn, or can milkfrom a FM Modulator.
<o Anyway, this has been floating around in my head while I sitlooking at that damn snow on top of the cover on top of the Cadillac I justbought and can't drive.

Any assistance or guidance would be appreciated.
</o</o

 

[mccluskd]

Thanks for that. That's what I thought, but I didn't see any conversations about wiring a line directly without going through the XM. Perhaps I'm not quite the sleuth I thought I was. Any chance you could point me in the direction of the conversation about setting up a blue tooth line through the existing head unit without wiring through the XM input?

Thanks again for the assistance.

 

[onalaska]

Does XM even show up as one of the modes on your head unit? XM may not be displayed as a mode unless the XM module is present, I'm not sure about this. If this is the case you would not be able to add the audio input if you could not access the XM mode since the head unit switches the audio to the external audio jack when XM is selected.

 

[cubby558]

XM Module

Did some searching this morning and found a couple of part #'s for the XM module. The old # is superceded by the other # I found, so there is no sense providing that number. The XM module is part # 15854742. It does come up as a good number on gmpartsdirect.com The same part number is shared with the Corvette and I did confirm it is the XM module. gmpartdirect, wants 175.00 for a new module. If you search ebay for XM module for Cadillac XLR or Corvette, they can be found used for 65-85.00. If your car isn't wired for it, this would be pointless, but as I stated before, I'm guessing the wiring is there, just no module to plug into. You will also need an antenna if you plan on subscribing to Sirius/XM.

 

[mccluskd]

Chubby, I think the previous commenter explained where the disconnect is. The Head Unit doesn't have a XM option on it. In other words, there's no way to access the auxiliary in the head unit, which is what I was looking for. The XM isn't that huge of a deal, as I could stream it through a phone with the blue tooth setup. However, if you have another option that would allow me to access an auxiliary option without having the XM connections on the head unit that would be fantastic. On the other hand, it looks like my only other option would be to try and locate a head unit that had the XM option and replace my existing one that doesn't have that option.

All this seems really wordy, but leads to the point, I'm probably just screwed.

 

[cubby558]

I think Steve (Onalaska) confused you, there is no XM module in the head unit. When the module is plugged in where it belongs, (in the trunk behind the seats) the head unit recognizes it and shows the XM buttons on the screen. Whether you use the XM module to subscribe or not--it is needed to allow you to do Ray Kawal's auxiliary input (kawal.net). I've done all I can to help you, without having access to my car right now to take pictures for you--it's in storage. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Chubby, I think the previous commenter explained where the disconnect is. The Head Unit doesn't have a XM option on it. In other words, there's no way to access the auxiliary in the head unit, which is what I was looking for. The XM isn't that huge of a deal, as I could stream it through a phone with the blue tooth setup. However, if you have another option that would allow me to access an auxiliary option without having the XM connections on the head unit that would be fantastic. On the other hand, it looks like my only other option would be to try and locate a head unit that had the XM option and replace my existing one that doesn't have that option.

All this seems really wordy, but leads to the point, I'm probably just screwed.

 

[mccluskd]

Excellent point sir. So here's my question, are all the head units equipped out of the factory with the XM ability, and you have to have the module to make it work? In this case, I would be able to utilize the accessory cable and be able to wire a blue tooth the same way the vehicles that are equipped with the XM module already. It would just have to read "LIKE" it had XM radio, even though it does not.

Sorry for droning on, but figured someone might know before I started tearing the stereo out of the din.

 

[David_B]

Another option is to add the SIRGM1 Sirius tuner.

Pro

It comes as a kit including an antenna and wiring adaptor.

It works fine with our radio, and there's a post telling you how to install the antenna in the middle of the dash against the windshield. I did that and it does lose signal once in a blue moon, or if you drive under thick trees.

Another pro, as far as I'm concerned is it's Sirius, which I like better than XM.

Con

You will have to use double sided sticky tape to install it in the stock XM module location.

Who knows how much longer Sirius/XM will support Sirius radios, they seem to be trying to get everyone moved to the XM radios.

If all you want to do though is get the XM input to work so you can then add the aux in, a SIRGM1 with it's wiring harness might be less expensive then finding the stock XM module.

There's one on amazon without the antenna but includes the wiring harness you will need right now for $30. Although, now that I think about it, it might not turn on the input without an update, which you can't get without the antenna. You can buy Sirius antenna separately also.

There are a few available on Ebay too.

You would still need the aux in cable from ray kawal, or you can make your own too.

 

[mccluskd]

I think I'm getting what you all are putting out there to me. Essentially what I need to do is go in there and find out what I really have before making any decisions. More importantly I need for the snow the get the hell off my car so I can do these things you folks speak of. I'll be getting back with an update on how it all went down. Thanks for the updates and the input.

 

[David_B]

Look carefully for the harness in the trunk. Mine was not visible from the trunk when I pulled the cloth cover down, I had to crawl in and root around in the middle to find it behind some of the steel members there.

I think I'm getting what you all are putting out there to me. Essentially what I need to do is go in there and find out what I really have before making any decisions. More importantly I need for the snow the get the hell off my car so I can do these things you folks speak of. I'll be getting back with an update on how it all went down. Thanks for the updates and the input.

 

[monepit]

All Xlr's are wired for XM. Mine didn't show up on the screen since it didn't have it. When I plugged a lock pick module into the wiring cubby is talking about it showed up on the screen and has worked ever since.

 

[mccluskd]

Ladies and gentlemen. I'm hear to let you know that your assistance worked perfectly. Just plugged and go, and boom. Sirius. In fact as I was looking, I found an external plug in the glove box that may actually be the very harness for an outside line you were talking about. Either way, I have Sirius, and that's really all I was looking for. You guys are just the bees knees. Thanks again; DM