Coupla Questions on 97 Avalon Stereo Replacement

[bobcrane]

I've got a 97 Avalon stock stereo with the slave CD and separate amp. I'm replacing it with a dual-din Pioneer Am/FM/Cassette stereo. I've done some searches and gotten some answers but two things still confuse me:

1. Do the diversity/standard antenna plug combiners work? When we first got the car reception was awful until I pulled the unit and found the diversity antenna laying loose. So I can't imagine it would work too well without it.

2. I see a second plug hanging loose behind the current stereo. Does plugging into this bypass the amp or do I have to get yankin on some wires?

Of course I've seen the adapters by Socshe but I'm just not clear what route is the best. I'd prefer not yanking wires but if I have to I've already got plenty of posts on that (it's no fun getting to that amp, LoL).

[cam2Xrunner]

In the case of the Avalon's I'm pretty sure they do not have the pre-wired harness to bypass the factory amp.(I could be wrong though) I would just hook up the new stereo and run new speaker wires to the speakers.


You'll have to hardwire the 12V, Ground, and ACC turn on lead wire.


BTW welcome to TN

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by bobcrane

1. Do the diversity/standard antenna plug combiners work? When we first got the car reception was awful until I pulled the unit and found the diversity antenna laying loose. So I can't imagine it would work too well without it.

2. I see a second plug hanging loose behind the current stereo. Does plugging into this bypass the amp or do I have to get yankin on some wires?

Of course I've seen the adapters by Socshe but I'm just not clear what route is the best. I'd prefer not yanking wires but if I have to I've already got plenty of posts on that (it's no fun getting to that amp, LoL).

I'm not certain about the diversity antenna part... Is there two different antenna leads that plug into your current stereo? Are they both the same plug? If there are two leads, you will only be able to use one of them...I guess use the one that sounds the best.

What does the second plug behind the current stereo look like? Is it two white plugs?
Does it look like it would mate with this?


If yes, you can use those plugs to bypass the amp.

[bobcrane]

I've finally gotten around to pulling the dash apart again and here's what I've found:
1. There is one additional harness (grouped with the harness that plugs into the OEM stereo) that does not plug into anything. It's 12 pins (7 on top, 5 on bottom). I've hit it with the meter and found nothing, no ground, no power, nothing.

2. The wire from all of this (both harness') as well as the wiring to the amp all go up behind the center vents into a plastic case. I'm assuming if I can open that case I might find something more "friendly" to the Scosche plug setup (it seems to be in the same place as Cam2XRunner's picture on another thread).

The problem: How on earth do I get that box open? It looks like I'd have to pull the vent duct but I don't see how without completely dismantling the dash.

The other option may be to pull the glove box again and disconnect the wires going into the amp and run all my wiring from there.

Any ideas???

[bobcrane]

bump

[cam2Xrunner]

Originally Posted by bobcrane

I've finally gotten around to pulling the dash apart again and here's what I've found:
1. There is one additional harness (grouped with the harness that plugs into the OEM stereo) that does not plug into anything. It's 12 pins (7 on top, 5 on bottom). I've hit it with the meter and found nothing, no ground, no power, nothing.

That might be the speaker wire harness that will allow you to bypass the amp Hopefully that is the case. Not sure though

2. The wire from all of this (both harness') as well as the wiring to the amp all go up behind the center vents into a plastic case. I'm assuming if I can open that case I might find something more "friendly" to the Scosche plug setup (it seems to be in the same place as Cam2XRunner's picture on another thread).

The problem: How on earth do I get that box open? It looks like I'd have to pull the vent duct but I don't see how without completely dismantling the dash.

The other option may be to pull the glove box again and disconnect the wires going into the amp and run all my wiring from there.

Any ideas???

Try this: If you don't have a harness to get a 12V, ACC Turn on, and ground, then hardwire those yourself. You'll need to get an inline fuse in the new power wire you make and have that fuse close to the battery.

Then try that additional harness and see if that connects to the speaker wire by hooking it up as per the instructions on the bypass thread.

I'm not too sure man, good luck.