work_truck

SOLVED!

Find the final solution on page 2 here:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1593074427








Yes, I have searched the forum, and read the FAQ, to no avail. All relevant threads I could find are open ended with no final resolution one way or the other.

Hey all,

I recently purchased a CD player under the assumption that it would be plug and play, but that is not the case.

Car is a 1999 FRC with the non-Bose Cassette

CD player I purchased is a 2003 non-Bose CD player

Upon install I get power, and extremely low volume, however I can hear that the radio functions fine.

Through researching here I have found that this is because the newer CD player is not getting the "power on" signal it would receive from a newer car.

I have read the Bose bypass instructions, but they don't seem to apply to me.

I have also found a couple of aftermarket installs for the FRC saying that a pin must be added using a fuse tap, however I am not sure if this is necessary with an OEM radio.

Is there a pin I am able to switch, or a power wire that can be added to remedy this?

Thanks for any help.

work_truck

Here is one of the relevant repliesI have found so far:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1580236036

work_truck

So it looks like I've found what may be another issue, I thought that the Bose CD players were "branded" Bose on the front, which doesn't seem to be the case.

work_truck

So there is also this thread from back in the day,

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...formation.html

but I do not think the FRC has the C3/C4 plugs that are discussed, so it makes this very confusing

work_truck

Are those instructions to make the connections WITHIN the radio vs to the vehicle harness?

work_truck

so more reading,

when looking at the schematic, its saying that C1(6) is my "radio signal on" (assuming "coupe only" refers to the FRC)

C1(8) is the power antenna and amplifier relay

-It seems like this is the pin that must be connected to aftermarket radios as the "remote" wire


Here is my thinking:

My radio "turns on" from the C1(6) signal, but there is no sound, because C1(8) is not receiving a signal that the radio should be on.


I need to be with the car to make sure this is all correct.

work_truck

well now I see that it literally means "radio signal" for the power antenna with regards to c1(6)

work_truck

I think I'm confusing myself!

work_truck

This thread says that the power antenna is ran through dark green c1(8)

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-antenna.html

This thread says to run the power antenna through the pink wire c1(6)

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-tech-tip.html

work_truck

Still haven't had time to go out and work on this any more

so bump I suppose in case anyone sees this.

Maybe someone that has performed the Bose Bypass on an FRC?

pentavolvo

Does your frc have Bose or not if I recall a few didn't have it

work_truck

It does not have Bose, which I believe is my problem.

It had the basic Delco cassette player with no CD changer.

When I purchased the CD player (2003 dated) I assumed the Bose units would be labelled as such, however that doesn't seem to be the case.

From what I can tell the radio is simply not getting the signal that it should be "on"

pentavolvo

If you could hear sound though it means the radio turned on

work_truck

The radio is on yes, but my understanding is that it doesn't know that it is on and is thus not sending out the full signal.

work_truck

OK

So, I am only getting 5.8 volts at the drk grn c1(8) which should be what tells the radio to come on correct?

i also have no c1(6) pnk connection

work_truck

#1 I'm a dingus, I was reading the pin out backwards.

#2 I have neither c1(8) nor c1(6) pins in my factory harness

work_truck

markcz

The dark green wire should have 12v, it is generated by the radio itself whenever it is on. In your FRC without any add-on radio components there may not even be one since it isn't needed to turn anything on.

In C5 non-Bose the radio has an internal amp that directly powers the speakers through C1/C2.

In C5 Bose the radio initially generates a line-level signal that goes out through plug C4 to the Bose Signal Processor, which does whatever it does then sends the line-level signal back to the radio through plug C3. The Bose radio then amplifies the signal and sends it out to the speakers through the same wires as on non-Bose at plugs C1/C2. The door subs are the exception, the Bose box sends them a line level signal to be amplified by the subs.

If your car is non-Bose and your 'new' radio is Bose, then your car isn't wired to have the Bose line-level radio signal get to the proper pins on the radio that would feed the internal amp.

I've never tried it, but you could probably rig up some wires in the new radio pins that would be on C3/C4 to just loop the signal back into the radio.

Does that make sense? If yes, and you're willing to try, let me know and we can figure out how to wire it

markcz

Just since I have all of the prints open.....

You would have to wire it like this:

Radio C4-9 to C3-1
Radio C4-10 to C3-2
Radio C4-11 to C3-3
Radio C4-12 to C3-4

And possibly also a wire from C4-13 to C4-7 and another wire from C4-14 to C4-8, but I'd see if it works without these two first.

That should get you

work_truck

So, I'm definitely willing to try this,

However it sounds like I'm going to need the C3/C4 harness or at least the plugs. Is there any source for those other than eBay?

I know how to solder and pin, my only hesitation is making irreversible changes to the factory car-side harness, but if I'm just adding pins without splicing that doesn't really bother me.