02 Grand Am - Unsure if system is actually Monsoon.

[Stilgar]

Hello All.

I'm looking to utilize the AUX interface on my '02 Grand AM SE1. I would like to attach my Ipod to the system.

I've been reading on this and various other sites the common issues with the Monsoon stereo systems, but at this point, I am unsure if my car is actually equipped with this system. Although it has the same faceplate, it does not bear the Monsoon logo, nor does the LCD flash "Monsoon" on ignition or Power On as the Owners Manual describes. There is no external amp in the trunk under the carpet near the rear driver's side wheel well, at least not that I see. My system only seems to have 6 speakers (2 - front door, 2 tweeters in the mirrors, 2 6x9 on rear deck) as opposed to the suggested 8. When I purchased the vehicle last fall, the factory 6x9s were blown and I replaced them with some Kenwood 3-way 200W 4Ohm speakers (which while not working to their full potential otherwise work great). The factory 6x9s I pulled out where the generic GM 6x9s I've seen in just about every GM I've ever owned. They had the standard GM 2 prong + / - connector. They did not have a separate tweeter built on.

The majority of GM factory AUX interfaces that I've been researching (PIE, Ipod2Car, etc, etc) all seem to have a common theme. They support the Grand Am from 1996 to 2000, stop support for 01 and 02, then resume from 03 onward. Due to this fact alone, any audio shop I've approached won't even look at my car because they just automatically assume it's not going to work.

Can anybody offer any suggestions as to how I can determine whether the stereo system is in fact a Monsoon or perhaps another GM factory based radio that may otherwise be compatible?

[beauboy76]

Well mine says monsoon on it really big... another way to tell is open your trunk and pull away the carpet on your left side and you will see an amp that has MONSOON printed on it... but i do not believe yours is monsoon... Go with a nice alpine with the aux input in the front. Also an aux input works great for sirius radios...

[car audio dave]

what amkes you think you have a monsoon system? the monsoon has the amp in back, radio says monsoon, and 6x9s have two sets of speaker connections. it seems that you have accurately determined what your car has.

now the question is, do those aux in adaptors work on your radio...i would think that if it works on the monsoon radio then it might work on yours. i say this because i dont believe the monsoon radio is any different other than the silk screening. the difference starts at the amplifier. i could be wrong, but im 90% sure on this.

[Stilgar]

I only thought I had a Monsoon system because all the Vehicle Application Guides built into these Aux Adapter Manufacturer's websites claim that my car is in fact equipped as such. At stores where I've actually seen or inquired about the various products, because their computers say that my car SHOULD be equipped with a Monsoon, technicians will refuse to install an AUX or IPOD interface because they cannot guarantee that said interface will work. If it don't work, they don't get paid. So basically, the burden is on me to convince them this is NOT a Monsoon System.

[Erockhandyman]

Question for you or someone, My Radio doesn't say Monsoon, but I have the amp by the back wheel in the trunk and all the speakers Audio Dave discribed. My question is that I have been thinking of getting a new reciever and will the amp still work? the reacon being my volume nob is very touchy and it only has a cassette deck no cd player

[sunrunner_pei]

Question for you or someone, My Radio doesn't say Monsoon, but I have the amp by the back wheel in the trunk and all the speakers Audio Dave discribed. My question is that I have been thinking of getting a new reciever and will the amp still work? the reacon being my volume nob is very touchy and it only has a cassette deck no cd player

No, you do not have Monsoon. Monsoon was only available from 2001-2005. You have the 'premium' sound system, which is very much the same setup.

[beauboy76]

yeah its hard to have a place even touch your car audio if you have the monsoon system. I just wanted my 6x9's replaced and the guys made a BIG deal about it because i guess there is like 6 wires running to each speaker. Idk I have never looked at my 6x9's... but im really not satisfied with my result. I had them put in Blaupunkt speakers, and idk if its the quality of the speaker that sounds like crap or if they just didnt know what they are doing. But they sound awful. My blown monsoon speakers honestly sounded better...

[sudden_impulse]

The Monsoon 6x9s have two sets of wires running to each speaker: a set for highs, and a set for lows. Are the sounds coming out of the speakers high or tinny? Or are they low and incomprehensible? They could have wires mixed up. You could run new wire from the rear speaker wires that are before the amp, or if you get a new HU, run new wires, since you don't want to use the Monsoon amp with a new HU.

[car audio dave]

yeah its hard to have a place even touch your car audio if you have the monsoon system. I just wanted my 6x9's replaced and the guys made a BIG deal about it because i guess there is like 6 wires running to each speaker. Idk I have never looked at my 6x9's... but im really not satisfied with my result. I had them put in Blaupunkt speakers, and idk if its the quality of the speaker that sounds like crap or if they just didnt know what they are doing. But they sound awful. My blown monsoon speakers honestly sounded better...

that is EXACTLY why they refuse to work on monsoon systems. the owners insist on getting stuff, even after being warned, then they complain.

the stock 6x9 arent normal 6x9s. the woofer is actually a subwoofer, and the other part is a tweeter. it essence, they are on axis components. when aftermarket 6x9s are installed, you either use the subwoofer leads or the tweeter leads, either way, you loose. most 6x9s benefit you most in the midrange.

[Blackhawk]

Which is why most people either leave Monsoon stock or replace everything. What you think is bass may also be some distortion by the speakers, it won't be as bad as a normal setup because you're letting more power through, but in Derek's car with Monsoon it sounds great in front, but if I'm in the back I can hear some distortion.

[Stilgar]

Can anybody offer any suggestions as to how I can determine whether the stereo system is in fact a Monsoon or perhaps another GM factory based radio that may otherwise be compatible?

While I'm glad all the thread hijackers got answers to their questions, mine still remains unanswered. :D

Would one of the codes on the factory sticker in the trunk reveal the true identity of the system? Can I pull the deck out and find some part number that I can look up somewhere?

Thanks Guys.

[mikekanzler]

what amkes you think you have a monsoon system? the monsoon has the amp in back, radio says monsoon, and 6x9s have two sets of speaker connections. it seems that you have accurately determined what your car has.

now the question is, do those aux in adaptors work on your radio...i would think that if it works on the monsoon radio then it might work on yours. i say this because i dont believe the monsoon radio is any different other than the silk screening. the difference starts at the amplifier. i could be wrong, but im 90% sure on this.

Well mine says monsoon on it really big... another way to tell is open your trunk and pull away the carpet on your left side and you will see an amp that has MONSOON printed on it... but i do not believe yours is monsoon... Go with a nice alpine with the aux input in the front. Also an aux input works great for sirius radios...


heres your awnsers so far ;)

[sunrunner_pei]

heres your awnsers so far ;)

Take my quote out of the list (Which doesn't apply to his 2002), and you're golden. :)

[mikekanzler]

Take my quote out of the list (Which doesn't apply to his 2002), and you're golden. :)

there we go thats better ;)

[el diablo]

ok folks here it is monsoon systems are sooooooooooo simple to play with its funny the only way to change ur 6x9s are to spend the money and buy a set of component 6x9s and connect them acordingly without the crossovers 2 ohm sets are reccomended 4 ohms are ok ... the front 4x6s and tweeters the same just get a set of components and go to town just leave out the crossover... easy right. to put in a new head unit just buy the cheap harness and tap into the ignition wire in the ignition harness to the left of the head unit ull lose the annoying chime but gain much happiness to bypass the monsoon amp (only do this if ur goin to put a 4 channel in its place i can provide a layout of wires and colors that makes life easy!!!! there is NO reason to run wires from the front to the back and so on and absolutely no reason to listen to the "best buy"installers that tell u we cant touch it sorry they just dont know how to do it! lol as a eye opener go to best buy and ask them to put a remote start on a new hummer h2 h3 it dont matter and theyll tell u they cant and if they say they can theyll try to tell u u have to buy a 300 dollar bypass module lol so not true i do them everyday and the bypass costs about 150 and is easy as hell lol anyway let me know if u have any questions and ill be glad to help out fellow grandy owners