More pictures

Here's some more

 

More pictures

All of the dash lights are actually LEDs, as far as I can tell. I wanted to look into dimming the high beam indicator a bit from the backside. I was hoping I could just put a dimmer bulb in there. No such luck (since it's not even a bulb). I couldn't even use the same trick as I used to tame the airbag lights, because I didn't want to mess with taking the needles off of the gauges.

I took apart the climate control panel as well, just to be sure it was one big circuit board in there. To my dismay, it is. I can't simply narrow it down to squeeze it in lower in the dash.

 

Stereo pics

Head unit and wire connectors

 

All of the dash lights are actually LEDs, as far as I can tell. I wanted to look into dimming the high beam indicator a bit from the backside. I was hoping I could just put a dimmer bulb in there. No such luck (since it's not even a bulb).

A bright hi-beam indicator was an issue on the 2004 GTOs also. Pontiac/GM eventually came out with a BCM reprogram to dim it. Perhaps, Perhaps, that might be possible for the Solstice.



NEVER MIND. MY BAD. :brentil:

The GTO issue was with the "MPH" indicator on the speedometer face. :blush: :blush:

Guess I should double check some times and not always try to go from memory.

But on the plus side, it gives me a chance to use a couple "Cricket" smileys.

 

2KWK4U; Man...nice work! Your either real brave, real crazy, or just have way too much time on your hands. If I tried something like this... Well let's just say the results would not be pretty. Anytime I fool with something that isn't broke, I break it. :lol: How long did your exploratory surgery take and did the patient survive? Any scars?

 

Just remember If it isnt broke and when you went to fix it ,you broke it, it wasnt meant to be fixed anyway. Old chinese proverb by won hung lo

 

Thanks 2KW! Did you take any measurements of the base unit or "apparent" empty spaces while you were in there?

 

That's just too cool. :thumbs:

In your dashboard adventures, did it look possible to move the airbag indicator to below the stereo?

 

You are one brave Sol! Looks like Chilton/Hanes Manual quality. :thumbs:

 

I love checking out your pictures. Great information. How do you get all those plastic panels off without breaking plastic or clips? When you put it back together, no squeeks or rattles? Next, could you attack the trunk? I'd love to see for sure what is under the Mayan Temple.

 

I would never in a gazillion years even try to attempt that. I would bust things, short out things, forget to attach things, etc...........There would probably be left over parts as well!!!!!!!!!!

Signed,
Faint at Heart

 

Next, could you attack the trunk? I'd love to see for sure what is under the Mayan Temple.

I second that idea! What secrets dwell inside the temple? :leaving:

 

Nice work.....now that you're in there, what's your take on how stuffs Engineered/Assembled. [i.e.] did you find things were put together in a logical well thought out way...no unneccessary parts....all the fasteners torqued down correctly...quality bits and pieces....etc etc............

 

As for the aftermarket head unit replacment and keeping the chimes.. there is a unit out there by Metra and I believe at least one other company to keep the chimes. Cost is around $60... Metra part number GMRC-01. Crutchfield and I think CircuitCity can get them (among your favorite online aftermarket stereo company).

I had one in a previous car. All the box does in plug inbetween the head unit and the factory wiring to "hear" the Data Bus signal. The box (which contains a speaker) then makes the correct sound for the signal. Problem is the box is buried inside your dash and can be harder to hear, or much louder and is no longer volume controlable. I know my Olds Alero I could control the volume of the "dings" with the stereo... I'm guessing you can still do the same.

Data Bus connections are standard on the radios... remember, it's a worldwide radio system now, so don't get too nervous if something doesn't like Solstice on the packaging just yet.

 

A bright hi-beam indicator was an issue on the 2004 GTOs also. Pontiac/GM eventually came out with a BCM reprogram to dim it. Perhaps, Perhaps, that might be possible for the Solstice.

If this issue had already been seen and addressed before, why is it appearing again?

 

2KWK4U; Man...nice work! Your either real brave, real crazy, or just have way too much time on your hands. If I tried something like this... Well let's just say the results would not be pretty. Anytime I fool with something that isn't broke, I break it. :lol: How long did your exploratory surgery take and did the patient survive? Any scars?

Thanks! I'm all three (brave, crazy, 4-day weekend). This is pretty much standard practice for me. I take apart every new car I own within weeks of taking over the keys. I probably spent about 3 hours in total pulling things apart and poking around.

 

Thanks! I'm all three (brave, crazy, 4-day weekend). This is pretty much standard practice for me. I take apart every new car I own within weeks of taking over the keys. I probably spent about 3 hours in total pulling things apart and poking around.

It's all good unless you end up with extra parts. :lol:

 

Thanks 2KW! Did you take any measurements of the base unit or "apparent" empty spaces while you were in there?

Aw crap! :cuss: I KNEW I forgot to do something. Here's a couple more pictures of the head unit. The cavity it goes into is pretty much an exact fit (a little play, of course), but open at the top for ventilation. There's not even any more allowance on the left side for the internal amp's heat sink!

As for dimensions, I'd look at what crutchfield gives for other newer GM cars with the same head unit. I'd bet a paycheck they all use the same style recess in the dashboard.

In one of the above pics, you can see a white post on the back of of the head unit case. That post engages a hole in the back of the bay, and I think the head unit might bottom out in there.

 

That's just too cool. :thumbs:

In your dashboard adventures, did it look possible to move the airbag indicator to below the stereo?

I'm going to say "maybe." Anything is possible, but I don't know how easy it would be. In "dash3.jpg" (above) you can see that you would probably have to cut a web out of the dash carcass to put it there. Also you'll have to extend the wire harness, and fabricate a way to get the flat panel to fit the curved part of the IP trim (see IPtrim3.jpg).

I considered it briefly, because I thought the hole left behind from the airbag light unit would be a nice fit for a radar detector remote display. I might just eliminate the airbag light panel all together, though. Alot of GM cars put it in the rearview mirror. If I can find a self-dimming rearview mirror with map lights, compass, temp display, and passenger airbag light in a salvage yard, then I'll grab it and free up the space for my V1 remote display.

 

I love checking out your pictures. Great information. How do you get all those plastic panels off without breaking plastic or clips? When you put it back together, no squeeks or rattles? Next, could you attack the trunk? I'd love to see for sure what is under the Mayan Temple.

Very carefully! I have a panel-popper tool that I bought from the snap-on man ages ago when I worked as a stereo/alarm installer. I put a cotton wrag over the business end of that, and put it between the panel gaps, then hunt for the locations of the clips. When I find one, I say a little prayer and squeeze away :lol:

No squeeks or rattles upon reassembly! Needless to say I'm happy for that. Believe it or not, the trunk/Mayan Temple IS next up. I might get around to that one today.

 

Nice work.....now that you're in there, what's your take on how stuffs Engineered/Assembled. [i.e.] did you find things were put together in a logical well thought out way...no unneccessary parts....all the fasteners torqued down correctly...quality bits and pieces....etc etc............

YES, overall I was impressed with the quality of materials, design, and assembly. Especially for a first-year car, and ESPECIALLY for a GM. I did have my concerns when I took apart the rear bulkhead, because some of the clips there seemed to be "MacGuyvered". I found nothing of that sort up front.

 

As for the aftermarket head unit replacment and keeping the chimes.. there is a unit out there by Metra and I believe at least one other company to keep the chimes. Cost is around $60... Metra part number GMRC-01. Crutchfield and I think CircuitCity can get them (among your favorite online aftermarket stereo company).

I had one in a previous car. All the box does in plug inbetween the head unit and the factory wiring to "hear" the Data Bus signal. The box (which contains a speaker) then makes the correct sound for the signal. Problem is the box is buried inside your dash and can be harder to hear, or much louder and is no longer volume controlable. I know my Olds Alero I could control the volume of the "dings" with the stereo... I'm guessing you can still do the same.

Data Bus connections are standard on the radios... remember, it's a worldwide radio system now, so don't get too nervous if something doesn't like Solstice on the packaging just yet.

Thanks, rlhammon. Is the other company Pacific Audio Control (PAC) by chance? I've had good luck with their adapters in the past.

 

Aw crap! :cuss: I KNEW I forgot to do something.

It's okay 2KW, but can you measure your hand for me? :lol:

 

It's okay 2KW, but can you measure your hand for me? :lol:

Sure thing! Here ya go... metric too! Sorry, they're a little blurry. :lol:

 

Head unit and wire connectors

So can anyone tell us if there is a possibility of connecting an external CD changer?

Not for that reason, but because, and it's been mentioned before, that to truly do iPod integration (with working steering wheel controls and track info on the radio display) requires a CD changer port.

 

I have the Monsoon 6 disc and swapped it out for the factory USB. There are NOT any extra plugs for external on the radios. Hope this helps....

 

Sure thing! Here ya go... metric too! Sorry, they're a little blurry. :lol:

Wait a second! If both of your hands are in the pic, who's holding the camera? :willy: