So I've replaced my stock headunit with a nice Sony and it sounds nice and looks nice but now I'm confused. The steering wheel controls don't work (needs updated adapter ) and it's a lot quieter than the stock unit. I've changed all sorts of settings. Maybe it's cause I had Best Buy install it since I work to much. Lol. What do you guys think?

 

You do need an adapter to keep steering wheel controls, door chimes and what not. Often times aftermarket radios don't work well with the factory amp in the car. That might be the issue.

 

That makes sense. I assume I need to get an aftermarket amp then?

 

I put an after market radio in a Silverado and it was really quiet so I put a new harness on it and it increased the volume a lot,but then again it could be the monte's stock amp too

 

depending on the harness adaptor you got, there is a tiny little volume adjustment screw. if you have the key all the way in and door open so u can hear the key in ignition alarm you should be able to turn that chime up and down. then the instructions will say that you can turn the key to on to where the stereo is on. turn the stereo up as loud as it will go, then start turning the volume on the harness adaptor up to the point that it starts to crackle the stereo speakers. then turn it down a hair....trust me theyll get really loud. had that problem in my 02 monte ss, and my 05 tahoe. turned them up then i was more than happy with them again

on the daptor most of the time the volume **** is blue, and youll need a tiny phillips screw driver to access it

 

So Zilla what was the solution to your problem? C.Z28 that sounds like interesting advice. I'll have to try that. I have a 2002 Monte and a 2005 Monte . 3 years ago I had a new Kenwood deck put in the '02 (factory amp) and it sounds great with plenty of volume to distort if I want to. Fast forward to a month ago I had a new Kenwood deck installed in the '05 (factory amp) and the volume is considerably lower. I can't even get the speakers to distort. For what it's worth I did ask the stereo installers to turn down the chime volume because it's just so annoying. Do you think maybe adjusting the volume of the chime has also adjusted the volume of the stereo?