Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio extra piece best buy once said was needed?

hi i have a 96 contour with premium sound and i want to get a head unit and some 6 X 8's. i bought the car from my sister and she said when she went to get her head unit and speakers instaled about a year ago they said she needed a piece that would limit the power going to the speakers so she wouldnt blow them. I've never heard of something like this and i dont see why she would need it. but does anyone know if i would really need this(cuz it costs like another $70) or if i just should have this or has anyone heard about this?

Thank You

Because the car has the 'premium' sound package there is an external amplifier behind your glove box. That amp has to be bypassed so your new deck won't amplify the signal and then send it to the factory amp to be amplified again. This causes a very bad sound if you don't bypass the factory amp. The extra part you need is a wiring harness that plugs in the car and routes the power from your new deck directly the harness that runs out to the speakers instead of through the factory amp...hence the name, bypass. HTH.

On a side note, if you have a local Circuit City or Ultimate Electronics or some other reputable stereo shop I would recommend going to them for your stereo install. Most places will not charge you the labor for installing the new deck if you purchase it from them. FWIW.

alright thank you, that explained a lot

but all the electronics places do charge you for the wiring harnesses...which with the harnesses ANYBODY can install a stereo...all you need is the wiring harness(obtained from just about any place for about $15)and the crutchfield amp bypass(about $12 iirc)and you can install it yourself...

manute

where is that in Wisconsin?

and what best buy told her that?

Do like I did, get a pair of wire strippers and go nuts...

Took about 15 minutes to install an HU, bypass the amp, and solder it all up

where in wisconsin is what, my hometown? its about 40 miles west of Oshkosh

my sister said the best buy in appleton told her it would be that much

when installing stereos is it better to crimp or solder?

I crimp! then zip tie. but im paied to do it exactly that way..

Im a installer at the Green Bay best buy....

exactly what is the peice called that bypasses the factory amp? I thought mine was bypassed but I got under there and unplugged it and the music stops...