Installing a head unit in a Vibe is much easier than most Vehicles. Easily removed trim panels/hardware and lots of space in the dash. I did not see in your post, do you have a standard radio, or the Monsoon audio package in your Vibe? The Monsoon package has an amp under the front passenger seat and speaker grill in the passenger side of the hatch area.
1. I know there's a few ways to make wire connections: soldering, crimping, etc. Am I asking for trouble if I don't solder the connections and use some other method instead? If I can use another method other than soldering, what's the best way to make those connections (for reliability)?
___Solder is Best, followed by crimping. If you chose to crimp the right tool and quality b-u-t-t splices are key (had to spell it out, forums fowl word filter masked original entry). Having used over a dozen brands of (removed) connectors these provide the highest quality (they metal crimps consistently and holds shape preventing wires from pulling apart)
http://www.parts-express.com/%2822-18%2 ... s--095-250" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Since you have a pre-connect harness that matches the Vibes factory plug to the Eonon wires, you would not need to solder anything while sitting in the car. You could take your time and sit at a table/workbench and solder the wires together.
2. The photo of the GE01 shows four groups of connections coming out of the radio, basically: a cluster of thin differently coloured wires; another cluster of coloured wires that all go into a black plastic harness (the "ISO port"); a cluster of wires that each end in an RCA white/red/yellow connector; and various spare pieces (the GPS antenna, iPod cable, etc). Let me tackle each of these separately:
-- the cluster of differently coloured wires: these are what connects to the wires in my Pontiac Vibe wiring harness I've ordered, correct? I understand that the colours usually match up; but since this is a Chinese brand unit, I should try to ensure that the proper radio cable (by "function") connects to the proper wiring harness cable...correct? So in other words the "AMP" wire coming out of the radio should go to the "AMP" wire on the harness (I assume there will be one?)
___Match up the wire labels between the add on adapter and the Eonon wiring. The colors are "supposed" to be universal, but many special functions use random colors.
-- The "ISO Port", from what I've just read, seems to be some kind of connector type not used in North American vehicles. The Eonon website lists the wires connected to the ISO Port; they are GND, ACC, Antenna Power+, BATT +12V, Rear Speaker L +/-, Front Speaker L +/-, Front Speaker R +/-, and Rear Speaker R +/-. I'm guessing I have to cut off the black plastic harness that those wires all connect to; but then I assume I have to connect these to something in the Vibe?
___Correct, will need to cut off the connector. The wires from the ISO port will then need matched to the Ebay wiring harness adapter.
-- The RCA connectors. They are labelled things like "AUX Audio Input", "Rear Audio Output", "Subwoofer Out", "Back Sight Video Input", and so on. These look like the type of connections I'd make with a stereo receiver at home. Are there equivalent connections in the Vibe that are used by the factory radio, or am I going to be ignoring most of these connectors and just tying them with a ziptie and keeping them out of the way?
___This is were if you have a Monsoon audio package, you could use the RCA connections. Yes, they work just like a home receiver, sending or receiving signal from other devices. In the case of a Monsoon audio package, you would use them to send signal to the Monsoon amplifier, rather than using the speaker leads from the "ISO plug". If you do not have a Monsoon package, you will just bundle and tuck them out of the way, unless you decide to add a rearview camera. IF you have a Monsoon package reply for the revised method of hooking up the Eonon.
-- The spare parts. This is where I get nervous. I see the GPS antenna is a little puck-like thing. I see where to plug the wire end of it into the Eonon, but then where am I supposed to put the antenna head? :0
___The Vibe has a lot of dash space, you can get creative. If it is long enough you could run the antenna from the top of the driver side dash. Carefully remove the "A" pillar plastic, this will open up a hole that runs directly under the dash. You can use this hole to run the GPS wire for the head unit. Make sure to tie up the wire so it does not get caught in the steering wheel of pedal mechanisms. Links that might help you explore the Vibes interior parts:
Radio and audio system removal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOGgu6NbOnA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"A" pillar and wiring (around the 0:28 and 2:37 mark you will see the wire go down beside the dash)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOGgu6NbOnA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
3. Okay, moving on
I'd like to set the unit up so that I can watch DVD's while the car is in Drive (not while driving! I just want to be able to watch something if my wife and I are on a long trip and she's driving). The instructions say that to make that happen, I need to "connect the Brake Shift Control wire to the power negative pole." Huh???
I see the Brake Shift Control Wire, but what the heck is the power negative pole?
___Other term for ground (-). Hooking up that wire to ground will allow the video to turn on. Details on the parking brake switch in a Vibe:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=41913&p=489169&hil ... re#p489169" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It has been my experience, while the vehicle is in motion, by human nature the driver gets curious and keeps looking over at the screen.
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This should be interesting....lol!
You've more confidence in my abilities than I do! But we'll see what we can do.
