2003 M45 Factory Satellite Radio Install, includes wiring harness...

[Bag302]

Well, here it is. This was a difficult job because I could not find comprehensive instructions on how to install the wiring harness(es) for non pre-wired vehicles. I had attempted to do this 3 times without success until RAGTPZ came through big time and provided the instructions for the harnesses, something that the dealers no longer have. Well, let's get started...

Your kit should come with two fat wiring harnesses that will complete a loop from the head unit to the SAT unit, to the CD changer. This will allow all systems, including the CD changer to function properly.

First, disconnect the negative battery terminal.

Unscrew shift knob and cover with a towel (I scratched my cassette player)Remove shifter plateRemove cassette trim plate carefullyRemove newly exposed screwsOpen armrest compartment and lift up on back of cupholder assemblyRemove hidden screwsPull out center console trim. Be careful not to scratch anything with the metal tabs underneathRemove screws above ashtrayPull to remove ashtray assemblyRemove 4 screws on cassette playerPull out cassette player and unclip plug furthest to the left (facing radio). This is where you will plug in the piggy back from the SAT wiring harness into the radio. Plug the factory harness into the piggy back.Unplug the harness plug from the furthest right (not the antenna plug) and plug in the second plug from the SAT harness, leaving the original plug uninstalled. The other end of the harness plugs into the SAT receiver. Now, here's where my installation differs from the factory. I chose to put the satellite receiver in the dash instead of running those hefty cables all the way back to the trunk.I just removed the radio/HVAC controls by pulling on the A/C vents. It just pops right out. Undo to the harnesses and removeHere's a look at the backThis is where I chose to locate the SAT receiverIf you want to place the receiver in the trunk, begin by removing the trim on the passenger kick panel and follow it all the way back to the trunk. (It will require you to remove the rear seats also). Here are a couple of picsHere is the CD changer harness. This end plugs into the SAT receiverThis end with the piggy back goes to the CD changer itselfAfter removing the glovebox (sorry, I forgot to take pics of this) you have access to the CD changer, harness plugs into the left sideHere is the piggy back to the CD changerI had to shorten my harness, as the bulkiness of this cable would leave too much excess when placing the SAT receiver in the dash. No need for this if your mounting the unit in the trunkThe other end of the CD changer harness goes into the SAT receiverI placed the antenna inside the car as I did not want the paint to get scratchedPut everything back together in reverse order after verifying that the system works. That's It!! You're done!!Here are some pics of the unit in actionI hope this install is helpful to someone. I know I could have used it!


Modified by Bag302 at 5:51 PM 1/21/2010

[flizsr45]

Great post! How long did it take you? Which service XM or Sirus?

[Bag302]

Great post! How long did it take you? Which service XM or Sirus?

Thanks! It actually is about a 3-4 hour job. It took me alot longer because I didn't the paper instructions until recently. I tried doing it blind on my first few attempts. Oh, Sirius BTW.

[Tekmazter]

Very nice write up on this!!!

I am looking to do the exact same thing. Can I ask a few questions?

What harness and receiver model #'s did you use?How much did the parts run you?

Did you order this online or from a shop which can do shipping?

Anything I should watch out for before proceeding?

Again, thank you!

[Bag302]

Very nice write up on this!!!

I am looking to do the exact same thing. Can I ask a few questions?

What harness and receiver model #'s did you use?How much did the parts run you?

Did you order this online or from a shop which can do shipping?

Anything I should watch out for before proceeding?

Again, thank you!

The tuner is model #999U9AS006PR. I purchased the kit from InfinitiPartsUSA.com, but I called and spoke to Joe who was very helpful. The kit was $291, which included the receiver, harness(es) and antenna. It's not a hard job as long as you are comfortable tearing apart your car!

[szh]

An excellent post! Thanks much ... if it is okay with you, I am going to get our folks to put these instructions into our "How To" section of the site. This would earn you a custom quote in your avatar if you want!

Z

[Bag302]

An excellent post! Thanks much ... if it is okay with you, I am going to get our folks to put these instructions into our "How To" section of the site. This would earn you a custom quote in your avatar if you want!

Z

No, Thank YOU. I've already gotten alot out of this site and just wanted to give a little back. Thanks for offering the custom quote as well. I'll think of something.

[Tekmazter]

The tuner is model #999U9AS006PR. I purchased the kit from InfinitiPartsUSA.com, but I called and spoke to Joe who was very helpful. The kit was $291, which included the receiver, harness(es) and antenna. It's not a hard job as long as you are comfortable tearing apart your car!

Thank you for you response. I just tok a peek online and it doesn't appear they have it in stock (at least online). I'll give them a call and find out if this is something I can still order.

Once again --- AWESOME write up. I managed to get the service manual online for my car so I'm not too concerned about the install. Your pics however show exactly what IS required here

[Bag302]

Be sure to call them. I was sent the wrong harness the first time and it really left me scratching my head.

[lfj2025]

I want to thank you these pictures, made it easy for me to install the hook up for my mp3 player. Great work.

[szh]

No, Thank YOU. I've already gotten alot out of this site and just wanted to give a little back. Thanks for offering the custom quote as well. I'll think of something.

Good! One of our Article Managers ought to be in touch soon ... please let me know if you do not hear from them.

Z

[03Q45Guy]

Hey guys, I'm trying to get XM installed in my 03 Q45 is it worth the $975 that the dealer wants to charge me if I'm not handy at all?

[szh]

Hey guys, I'm trying to get XM installed in my 03 Q45 is it worth the $975 that the dealer wants to charge me if I'm not handy at all?

For installation only? That seems a bit high to me! But, I don't really know for sure ...

Try calling Joe Tsensky at http://www.everythinginfiniti.com (this is an Infiniti dealer site) and see what he would charge for the unit, and what his service dept (Scottsdale Infiniti) would charge to install it. That should give you some information ammunition to deal with your local dealer - albeit the price from the local folks for the unit may be a bit higher, since Joe is so much more reasonable!

Plus, since you are in/near Atlanta, you could buy the unit from Joe and get the folks at T3 to install it for you perhaps - give them a call and ask. T3 is one of the few premier non-Infiniti places in the US to get your Infiniti worked on by the way - the web site is http://www.t3auto.com! Our engineering expert, Dennis (Q45tech) is associated with them, although I do not know the exact relationship.

Z

[suitmakr]

How's the reception w/ the antenna mounted on the inside?

[Bag302]

How's the reception w/ the antenna mounted on the inside?

reception was bad so I had to move the antenna outside the car.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Bag, that is an excellent write up. I was fishing Pine Island Sound today. You got some excellent fishing down your way.Props,M.L

[maxnix]

Hey guys, I'm trying to get XM installed in my 03 Q45 is it worth the $975 that the dealer wants to charge me if I'm not handy at all?

When you call Joe, have your VIN. After a certain VIN, all came prewired for satellite radio.

Great article. You are a credit to NICO, sir!

[DJ E-Bam]

I have a couple of questions:

I have a 2002 Q45 Sport...1) Is this mod applicable to my car?2) CD TEXT? Can I do that?

[Bag302]

I have a couple of questions:

I have a 2002 Q45 Sport...1) Is this mod applicable to my car?2) CD TEXT? Can I do that?

Does your car have a SAT button? For some reason, I thought SAT wasn't available until 2003. But, it's been I long time since I researched this.

[maxnix]

Does your car have a SAT button? For some reason, I thought SAT wasn't available until 2003. But, it's been I long time since I researched this.

It's in a TSB posted in the Q45 or Infiniti General Forum which VIN and later have the capability for Satellite Radio.

[Sazar]

I just got a quote from Infiniti for an install and apparently my car is not pre-wired (kit costs about 59 bucks more from Infiniti Parts website) but I am a little worried.

The dealership said they did a non pre-wired car sometime last year and the system would not work correctly. He said non pre-wired systems could be problematic.

Also, the price tag of $650 to install is a little steep. I have no qualms paying $200-300 and supplying my own OEM part, but $650 just for labor is quite steep

[DrFast1]

Sazar,

If your interested I have a Sirius Tuner, Antenna and brand new N-bus cables with instal kit I will sell you. Total of $250 for the whole thing.

This is a factory setup I bought to install in my car and then decided not to.

Thanks,

Nathan

[nicad2000]

First of all, thanks so much for taking the time to do this great writeup! Secondly, I'm wondering what methods you all used to route the antenna outside the car? I don't want to take the chance of bad reception from an interior placement.

[Bag302]

My install was slightly different from the factory install. I placed my SAT unit under the info screen instead of in the trunk. The antenna wire runs from there, under the passenger side carpet, behind the kick panel, up behind the trim of the front side door jamb to the windshield seal along the A-pillar to the antenna placed in front of the sunroof, closest to the windshield.

I used a plastic putty knife to lift the window seal and fed the wire behind it.

[ronez82]

I just purchased an '04 and I thought it came prewired for Sat radio. I push the button and it says it is not installed. I do not have an antennae on the roof The dealer wants 500 bucks to do it. How much is the harness to install it and do you have a part number I can use to order it?

[nicad2000]

My install was slightly different from the factory install. I placed my SAT unit under the info screen instead of in the trunk. The antenna wire runs from there, under the passenger side carpet, behind the kick panel, up behind the trim of the front side door jamb to the windshield seal along the A-pillar to the antenna placed in front of the sunroof, closest to the windshield.

I used a plastic putty knife to lift the window seal and fed the wire behind it.

I see - it's the breaking the window seal part that worries me a bit.... Although there's really no way around it. Do you think it's possible to mount the antenna on the trunklid?

[Bag302]

Sure you could put it on the trunk lid.

[Bag302]

Bump. Fixed broken links for the new guy.

[Karlitosway2k]

Thank you...

Are there any more write ups you can bring back from the dead?

[fiveliterbeater]

This would earn you a custom quote in your avatar if you want! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://images.nicoclub.com/forums/image ... yesnod.gif" BORDER="0">Z

...just what do us mere mortals have to do to earn a custom quote in our avatar?