'99 Olds Intrigue cassette deck

[280Z Turbo]

My mom's '99 Intrigue can't play any tapes and when you try to get them out again, it's a real pain. It knew that there was a tape in there, but I don't think it played it. The only time I experimented was with one of those CD player cassette converters. It was a long time ago, so I can't remember specifics and I don't want to try it again.

Do we need a whole new head unit or can someone fix it? It has GM "Theftlock" (as if someone would steal a GM radio ) so I'm thinking that it may have to be repaired at the Buick/Cadillac dealer ($$$ ).

[crv16]

You probably can find a used unit on ebay pretty cheap.  Just make sure it comes with the "code".

http://motors.search.ebay.com/intrigue_Aud...QfsopZ1QQfsooZ1

a bunch for sale $40-100

[giant_mtb]

Go get a cheap name-brand head with a CD player.  

[footoflead]

Go get a cheap name-brand head with a CD player.

Agreed with above^^^...not sure but you might run into a minor problem with the theft lock...


I just had an idea...get a new unit from "car toys" or your equivilent...(they sell and install radio's and such)

[giant_mtb]

Maybe if you disconnected the battery and left 'er overnight, then took the stereo out it wouldn't be a problem...?  What is this TheftLock...?

[TurboDan]

The car manufacturers put the cheapest head units in from the factory - at least in mainstream cars for the most part.  So, it's not worth spending any money on.  

How often does she use the tape deck, though?  If it's mainly for converting to CDs, get a cheap CD head unit.  You can find 'em for nothing these days.  Also, ask her if she'd like to have satellite radio.  There are some affordable solutions for adding head units equipped with XM and Sirius these days as well.

[280Z Turbo]

She doesn't listen to cassettes. We just want the cassette deck to work with the XM radio.

I'm going to look into some head units with XM built in. She has a long commute and we take long trips up north with that car, so it's worth it.

The only problem is that GM has those big radios.

[giant_mtb]

She doesn't listen to cassettes. We just want the cassette deck to work with the XM radio.

I'm going to look into some head units with XM built in. She has a long commute and we take long trips up north with that car, so it's worth it.

The only problem is that GM has those big radios.

It's no problem that they make the big radios.  When you buy your new head the company/catalog/whoever will give you an adaptor-type thing that will hold the new unit and cover up the rest of the area and it looks pretty normal.  I know because that's what they did for my brother's '96 MC.  

[giant_mtb]

But...I don't know if you'll get one of those adapters/holders buying a rock-bottom-cheapy at Wal-Mart.  Try Crutchfield, they actually have a couple of those big ones that are supposed to fit a standard GM space.  They won't kill the factory speakers, either.

[280Z Turbo]

This is what the dash looks like:


I don't think an adapter would look good because of the trim around it. Plus, I don't think my mom or dad want a tacky looking ricer radio with tiny buttons.

[giant_mtb]

It won't look as bad as you think.  I thought my bro's was gonna look bad, but it actually looks decent.  But you can probably find a standard sized and stock-looking one for cheap somewhere that will give you better-than-standard sound quality.

[SargeMonkey]

Surplus Computers has a $60 CD/MP3 in dash player, stick it in the glove box, thats what I am going to do with my civic. I think it was 60 watts, or something close to that.

[280Z Turbo]

I think we're going to try to get an Olds radio from the junkyard.

[giant_mtb]

I think we're going to try to get an Olds radio from the junkyard.

That might not be the best idea...think about it.  If a stereo has been sitting outside (rain, dirt, dust) for a long time, there might be considerable damage and wear and tear on that stereo from the junk yard.  But...if you can find a decent-conditioned one, go for it.

[280Z Turbo]

They take the radios out at the junkyard.

[Run Away]

That's a Double DIN deck.
I agree that it'll be harder to find something that looks half decent in Double DIN form.
However, there is probably also a cubby hole that GM has that will fit underneath if you decide on a single DIN deck. Normal sized deck on top, same size cubby hole underneath.  

[280Z Turbo]

Nah, that cubby hole is too low.

Like I said, this is not my car. I might be OK will a half-assed install, but my mom and dad wouldn't like it.

[Run Away]

It wouldn't be half-assed, it would look factory.
Hell, look in the owners manual in the "How to operate your stereo" section and I'm sure it will show that it was offered in Single and Double DIN forms.

Basically, replace the radio with one of these plus the deck of your choice.

[Run Away]

Or you could get one of these, it's a panel that converts a double DIN opening to a single:


In fact, most stock vehicles have a double din opening with a single din deck and a cubby underneath.
5th gen Prelude dash:

[280Z Turbo]

Oh! So that's what you mean. That's not so bad, but with the way the trim wraps around the radio on the Intrigue I don't know if that would look good.

Remember, she just wants to listen to XM radio in the car, so unless we can't get a factory radio at the junkyard, a used radio is the best option.