how to: install Aux-Box on 2005 Moons and Tunes Vibe

[scottalexander]

So this is going to be my little guide to installing an AUX-BOX in a 2005 Pontiac Vibe with the Moons and Tunes package.This seems lengthy, but will save you lots of time if you read along and follow the steps, make sure you read, not just look at the pictures, if you want to understand it all Before we start understand that certain wiring may be a little different. I do not know the differences, I have no outside knowledge other than what I learned going through this project. I do know that there is an Aux-Box, as well as an Aux-Pod, so you have to select one or the other, however the installations should be very similar. So here it goes.---||| TIME |||---If all goes to plan…An hour, I would count on 2-3. Took me a lot longer, but you can learn from my mistakes. ---||| COST |||---All said and done this project will cost you $100 - $150. Not too bad really. Sure you can buy a new stereo for that, but count the bracket and the wiring harness, and if you have the moons and tunes you have to mess with the amp and all that crap. So I went the Aux-Box route.---||| Materials |||---First off you will need an aux-box and the correct wiring harness, for my instance I am using a PAC AB-GM12. These items are sold seperatly.You can purchase both of them here:Wiring: $9.95http://www.hookedontronics.com...2.htm Aux-Box: $72.95http://www.hookedontronics.com...17917You will probably want to get a ground loop isolator (you can grab em at walmart for $25)Other things you will need:Tools: wire strippers, Flat head screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver (the shorter the better), hex driver (metric size between 7/16” and 3/8”), electrical tape, solder less terminals, oh, and beer.

[scottalexander]

---||| Taking out the factory stereo |||---1.Remove the faceplate under the stereo. This is actually very easy. Place your two index finger under the bottom of the plate, and pull out gently. The bottom should pop right out. Then grab the sides and gently wiggle the plate off.check out the video here:video of removing faceplateOnce you have the plate off you must disconnect a few clips. Each one of these has a tab that releases it. We will go in order from far right to left:The tab for the 1st clip is on top. 2 and 3 are on the right side. And clip four has a tab on either side of it.clip 1's tabClip 4 you should be able to see just fine, just look for the little tabs on the sides

[scottalexander]

Removing the Stereothis can also be found in detail at:http://www.metraonline.com/dow...5.pdf2. Use a hex driver to undo the four bolts shown here. I used a size 7/16” with duct tape on the inside, since I didn’t have metric on hand. This also made sure that the screw didn’t fall into the dash when I took it off.left screws to be removedright screws to be removed3. Now there is a small white tab that holds the wiring in place with the stereo mount, you will need to push in on the two tabs on the sides, to force this through the hole that is holding it. I used a flat head screwdriver for this.white tab you must push throughwhite tab after being pushed through4. You will not be able to get it far due to the attached wires. Which there are 3 of.4a. The first to go is on the far left, reach in through the hole left by your defrost and hazard buttons. About two inches from the left of the stereo on the back side, there is a wide clip (about 1.5inches). There is a tab on the top of this clip that you must press down before pulling off the clip. Use about as much force as it would take to pull a cap off a pen, if you are using more power than this and aren’t getting results you are not releasing correctly.picture of the first clip4b. The center clip has a top and bottom tab you must push. Use the same amount of force on this as well.picture of second clip4c. The third is the antenna wire (looks like a miniature co-ax, or cable TV wire) you might have to pull on this with some force, but I assure you it pulls straight out.picture of antenna connection5. Now we have all the wires undone we can remove the stereo to free up some room...

[scottalexander]

Wiring the AUX-BOX Power and grounding6. Now we are ready to attach our Aux-Box. The box is very easy to attach to the stereo, but we should attach grounding and power first.The yellow wire is going to go to our 12v sourceBlack will go to a ground source7. The wiring is different from vehicle to vehicle.details: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=19522details: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=225378. So either splice the wire, meaning cut it and strip it, then use the solderless terminals to attach and extra 12v for the Aux-Box and the ground. Attach the ground first! (see below for more details)DO NOT PULL A WIRE FROM THE HARNESS! I was smart enough to try this and they absolutely do not go back in, so I had to order the T-Harness.

[scottalexander]

This concludes day 1, as I am waiting for my T-harness to arrive, I screwed up on the ground wire, and although I kind of fixed it, I dont want to risk shorting out my stereo by not correctly attatching the ground, so I will wait.... Please respond with things that aren't explained well in the mean time, while I drive around with no music

[new05vibeowner]

Did you finish the AUX-BOX install yet?

[scottalexander]

So, as you can tell pulling that wire from the harness delayed my install like 2 full week. 2 full weeks of no music or AC **shutters** But on the happy side, my aux-box is in and working, great might I add!

[scottalexander]

Wiring power and ground to the AUX-BOX This part isn't too too hard. You need to know which wires to tap into, which you can find in a previous post in this thread (about three up or so)So you will want to pull on the wire you are going to splice, pull it as if you are trying to feed more wire out of the black plastic tube that holds all of the wires. Some extra wire should feed out, and give you room to work with.

[scottalexander]

Placing Aux-Box So now we need to get ready to put the Aux-Box in the dash. I used a piece of duct tape folded over to reach down and feed the RCA cable through. You will notice I have a long RCA cable, this can be picked up vitually anywhere. Feed the cable in the point shown here: You can look at an angle and see where the cable will fit. feed the duct tape through, so it is stick out by the pedals, and the other end is sticking out of the dash. then attatch the cables to the tape, and feed them through

[scottalexander]

Take time to test everythingBefore you put your whole dash back together, make sure everything is working and sounds good. If so, you will see an extra light next to the CD light when you turn your radio on. This is the disc changer light, in your case, the AUX-BOX. Try it out, crank up some jams, but just for a second, you'll need to put everything back in the dash. --------------------------------------------Now put everything back together and smile, you're all done.---------------------------------------------To get everything to fit, I recomend puting the RCA cable back behind the small vertical plastic piece that makes up the left side of the radio mount in the dash. Think about not pinching that cable when you slide the radio in. You can do this simply by unplugging the RCA cable from the aux-box rca cables, do it one at a time so you dont drop one (it gets tight in there) The next step is to mount the box. you will want to hold the box up as best you can through the hazards slot above the radio, and slide the radio into position. I used double sided tape to mount the box on top of the radio. Then put the dash back together in the opposite that you took it apart. And you're good to go! If you're getting noise, tap in your ground loop isolator, this makes a huge difference, and it literally take 30 seconds to install, just plug in the RCA wires. There are other posts that discuss this if you look around. ENJOY! -----------------------Feel free to PM me if you need helpOr if you're in Orange County, send mea private message, I wouldn't mindjust giving someone a hand.-----------------------

[scottalexander]

My next project is to run the RCA cables under the factory carpet and into the center console, maybe through the plug that used to be a 12v outlet. Stay tuned.