For 1990-2009 cars

### Radio Head

The radio head faceplate interfaces with the operator through control buttons/knobs, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a four channel integrated amplifier, and playback mechanisms (CD and/or tape). The controls operate various music modes and conditions of the audio subsystem which enable the operator to control power, volume, fade, balance, bass, and treble equalization settings, along with media playback control (CD or tape). The LCD is located in the center of the radio head faceplate for the operator to see the feedback from the radio. The radio head processes AM or FM stereo signals from the antenna system and sends the output to the speakers. The radio head also processes and plays the pre-recorded music from the in-dash CD and/or tape playback mechanism or the remote CD changer. The tape mechanism is able to differentiate between FeO2 (Type 1) or CrO2 (Type II/IV) type tapes. The functions of the playback mechanism (CD or tape) are controlled by the controls on the radio head faceplate.

The radio head is located in the middle of the instrument panel and is fastened using two chassis side-mounted brackets which utilize two fasteners and two rubber pins (one on each side of the radio opening) for locating the radio. The radio head is electrically connected to the radio I/P harness via a 24-way connector for base and up-level radios. There is also a 12-way connector for up-level radios to connect the CD changer/player jumper connector. A ground strap terminal and an antenna connector are located on the rear side of the radio head unit. The harness connector(s), antenna connector, and ground strap are inserted prior to mounting the radio in the vehicle. To allow for radio serviceability, sufficient room is allocated behind the radio for the wires and the coax cable.

The clock time is displayed continuously even when the ignition is OFF. Back lighting of the display occurs when the ignition is ON. If the RCL button is pressed when the ignition is OFF, then the LCD back lighting will be ON temporarily.

### Radio Ground Strap

There is a ground strap attached to the radio to ensure an effective ground path. The ground strap is a braided copper wire that routes from the rear of the radio to the brace behind the radio. The radio ground strap is connected to the radio by a spade type terminal. If the radio ground strap is not reconnected after being disconnected for service, the audio system will still function, but the sound quality will be reduced.

### CD Changer/Player (Optional)

The 6-disc remote CD changer/player with magazine is mounted to the right side rear underbody sheet metal. The CD changer/player is vertically mounted with the CD changer/player door opening closest to the front of the vehicle. To ensure CD changer/player skip performance the CD changer/player is mounted rigidly.

The remote CD changer/player has a separate fuse from the radio and receives its power and signals through the radio. The CD changer/player has a wiring jumper connected between the radio and CD changer/player with one inline between and includes shielding for the audio signals. The CD changer/player is available only with up-level radios. If a customer with a base radio would like a CD changer/player, that customer must upgrade their radio to an up-level radio (either the AM/FM tape or the AM/FM tape and CD).

### Speaker Sound System Interface

The speakers receive information from the radio in the form of electrical current through the speaker wires. The electrical current produces the electromagnetic forces which cause the speaker cone to move, which in turn creates acoustical energy. The acoustical energy radiates from the speakers and is received by the operator as sound. If the speaker wires occasionally become shorted-to-ground or to vehicle power, the radio will sense these conditions and shut down in a non-destructive manner. After the short condition is removed, normal radio operation will return.

The speakers are angled upward and rearward for optimal sound performance. They are mounted to a flat door inner surface and provide a splash proof housing and seal through the use of a gasket on the speaker basket flange that meets the door inner sheet metal. The speakers are closed out to the trim from the front. The supporting structure is rigid as to not allow unwanted resonance or loss in bass frequencies. Grilles are used to protect the speaker covering since they allow the speaker the freedom to move and breath to make the performance more predictable. The minimum speaker impedance per channel is four ohms and the interface to the speakers is through 18 gage wire (for up-level audio sound system only) or 16 gage (for advanced audio sound subwoofer only) through the body harness. The speakers are mounted low and forward in each of the four doors.

#### Up-Level Audio Sound Speaker System

The up-level audio sound system consists of eight speakers. In each of the four doors, there is both a 0.75 inch tweeter and a woofer (6 inch HSS in the front doors and 5 inch HSS in the rear doors).

#### Advanced Audio Sound Speaker System

The advanced audio sound system consists of seven speakers and an amplifier. There is a 0.75 inch tweeter in each of the front doors, a woofer in all four doors (6 inch ERS speaker in each front door and 5 inch ERS speaker in each rear door), and a 5 inch subwoofer (located on the rear shelf panel for the sedan. In the wagon, the subwoofer is mounted to the left side wheelhouse area). The amplifier module is found attached to the I/P beam. The supporting structures are rigid as to not allow unwanted resonance or loss in bass frequencies for both the subwoofers and the amplifier.

The amplifier contains all of the necessary signal processing and power amplifier circuitry that is not contained within the radio and has dedicated battery circuits, a battery fuse, and ground circuits for its power source. The wiring from the radio outputs to the amplifier inputs consist of a harness containing four twisted pairs, one for each audio channel. The radio also supplies a switched battery control signal to the amplifier for the purpose of controlling the module's ON/OFF modes. The speaker outputs are not grounded, but are protected against accidental grounding or connecting to battery.

### Antenna System

The antenna system receives broadcast AM or FM stereo signals from free space and sends the signals to the radio receiver for processing via a coaxial antenna cable. The antenna cable is a coax cable, which connects the radio to the antenna. The antenna ground should not exceed 50 m ohms when measuring between the antenna connector shield and negative battery terminal. The antenna mast should be installed to the torque specification specified in the Removal and Installation section so that it will not become loose and fall off. In the United States, the AM broadcast is 530-1710 KHz in 10KHz steps while the FM broadcast is 87.9-107.9 MHz in 200 KHz steps.

The sedan and wagon have different antennas. The sedan uses a mast antenna mounted on the left rear side of the vehicle. The wagon has a rear roof mounted antenna.

#### Antenna System (Sedan Only)

The sedan fixed mast antenna has a single 1/4 wave monopole receiving element which protrudes from the vehicle. The antenna is mounted on the left rear quarter panel area sheet metal via a bracket attached to the wheelhouse inner. The fixed mast antenna directly receives RF signals and feeds the signal directly to the radio head for processing.

#### Antenna System (Wagon Only)

The wagon active roof antenna system uses a single short monopole receiving element which is mounted to the rear roof sheet metal of the vehicle. The passive roof antenna directly receives RF signals, processes these signals, and sends them to the radio receiver.

### Customer Tips

#### How To Enjoy FM Stereo

• | Select Stations Within Range - The best FM fidelity will be obtained from stations within a 16-64 km (10-40 mi) range. Beyond that range noise or flutter may begin to appear due to the line of sight range limitations of FM signals.

| Solution - Reduce treble response by moving the treble control to a lower setting in fringe areas.

• | Realize Tall Structures Can Interfere - Tall buildings or hills may cause shadows or cancellation of FM signals. This is similar to the ghost or flutter effect seen on television sometimes when airplanes are flying in the vicinity. It will sound like a pop or momentary hiss.

| Solution - Reduce the treble to a lower setting.

• | Interference From Another Station - Although the circuits in receivers are the most advanced available, there are rare instances where a station being listened to will be interfered with by another station. This only happens when the stations are on almost the same frequency and certain geographical criteria are present.

| Solution - Select another station or switch to tape or CD.

### Handling The Compact Disc Magazine

#### Care Of Compact Disc Magazine

• | Do not put the CD magazine in a place where it will be exposed to high temperatures or direct sunlight.

• | Do not knock the CD magazine against anything.

• | Never insert anything other than CDs into the CD magazine.

• | Never insert a CD with a label or tape attached to it.

• | Do not use an 8 cm CD without a special 8 cm (3 in) disc adapter (not available through Saturn Service Parts).

• | The use of benzene, thinner, insecticide, or other volatile chemicals may damage the CD magazine surface. Clean only with a clean, damp, soft, lint-free cloth and a mild, neutral detergent.

#### Extra Magazines

Extra CD magazines are available through Saturn Service Parts.

#### Removing CD Magazine From CD Changer/Player

To eject the CD magazine from the CD changer/player, slide the CD changer/player door all the way open until it locks with a click. Press the CD changer/player eject button. The CD changer/player will load the last played CD back into the CD magazine, and the CD magazine will automatically eject.

#### Loading CD Magazine Into CD Changer/Player

1. After the desired number of CDs are installed in the CD magazine, insert the CD magazine with arrow pointing toward the arrow on the CD changer/player.
2. Close the door of the CD changer/player by sliding it closed until it clicks.
3. The CD changer/player will then begin checking CDs in the CD magazine. The initialization period lasts for approximately 20 seconds, depending on the number of CDs loaded. If a CD has been loaded incorrectly, it could take up to 60 seconds to initialize.

#### Cleaning The CD Changer/Player

Cleaning the CD changer/player is not recommended. The CD lens is very sensitive to scratches. If one small abrasive particle is accidently brushed across the lens, the CD changer/player will no longer operate.

Important: Keep the CD changer/player door closed whenever possible to prevent dirt, dust, or debris from getting inside.

#### Cleaning The Radio Face Plate

To clean the radio face plate, use a water-dampened cloth with a mild soap to remove the dirt. Do not use any harsh cleaners or chemicals as they may cause irreversible damage.

Notice: If sun tan lotion, hand lotion, or hand cleaner is on the radio, it will soften the paint, and the paint will eventually begin to peel. Inform the customer to not get suntan lotion, hand lotion, or hand cleaner on the radio. If lotion or cleaners are on the radio, wipe it off immediately.

### Handling the Compact Discs

#### Care Of Compact Discs

• | Handle CDs carefully. Touch only outer edges of CD or edge of hole in center of CD. Never touch glossy side (non-printed silver side). Avoid touching signal surface of CD because thick fingerprints and scratches will interrupt the readout.

• | Store CDs in their original protective cases or other protective cases. Store CDs away from sunlight, dirt, dust, and debris.

• | Do not attach a label or tape to a CD.

• | Always check for scratches and signs of wear on both sides of the CD.

• | Never mark outside rim with green or blue marker.

• | Make sure to clean the CDs periodically. If the surface of a CD is dirty or has fingerprints on it, clean it with a clean, damp, soft, lint-free cloth and a mild, neutral detergent. Wipe the CD in a straight line from the center hole outward toward edge. Avoid using cleaning solutions which may damage the CD: chemical cleaning cloth, benzene, thinner, spray, etc.

#### Inserting Compact Discs Into CD Magazine

Load up to 6 CDs, label side up (1), in the CD magazine. The order the CDs are played is from the bottom of the CD magazine to the top (2) (unless in RDM mode). If you look closely, one of the sides of the magazine shows the numbering of the slots (1-6).

Important: If all the CDs in the magazine are loaded incorrectly, no CDs will be played. The CD changer/player will play only those CDs loaded correctly.

• | Insert one CD in one of the six slots of CD magazine with label-side of CD facing up.

• | CDs can be loaded in any order you wish.

• | The label side of the CD must face upward. If a CD is loaded label side down, the CD changer/player will not be able to recognize the CD. The upside down CD will be skipped and the next higher available CD will be played.

• | Do not touch the recorded surface of a CD when inserting or removing the CD.

• | If the CD has been suddenly moved from cold to warm surroundings, playing a CD will not be possible until the moisture evaporates. Let the CD changer/player warm up.

#### Removing Compact Discs From CD Magazine

• | CD magazine release lever (1)

• | CD with label side facing upward (2)

After removing the magazine from the CD changer/player, hold down CD magazine release lever and pull CD(s) out. The CD magazine release lever is located on the VERTICAL SIDE of the CD magazine, that the horizontal arrow points to. Do not drop the CDs.