My '01 MOC SS that I recently purchased did have Onstar. It has the Onstar mirror and the black box in the trunk. Radio is basically non-functioning -- previous owner had wired some of the speakers directly into the head? i think? So the CD player sort of works and the cassette player works, but no radio. I understand very little about these things.

Now, I am looking at having a back-up cam installed. Somebody made a good case for a mirror-mounted unit. Of course, the mirror would be replaced.
Where would that leave the rest of the system?
I have no idea if the Onstar could be repaired given the state of the radio. I have never used Onstar. Has anybody here? can you start and stop subsrciptions? The only time I would be interested would be when I am on a trip a couple times a year.
Right now I am thinking to have all the Onstar stuff removed since when I go on a trip, trunk space is at a premium, and I'll probably have to do "something" with the radio anyway.
My brother knows electronics (though not vehicles), so I should ask him, except he is going to freak out (not in a good way) when he finds out I bought such an old car. So I don't want to tell/show him until everything is fixed with it.
Any advice?

 

No idea on the OnStar issue as I've never owned anything with it.

But did replace head unit and factory amp without cutting any factory harness. Repinned the head unit harness adaptor to accept the swc wire to keep those controls. As for amp, used 2 more cheap head unit adaptors and 2 sets of rca cables to wire in amp and place in factory amp tray.

ill try to get pictures tomorrow. Only thing you can see in trunk is 4ga power till I get rear fuse block mounted for sub amp at later date.

 

Since it sounds like you need a new head unit anyways, have you thought about just getting a model that can support a backup camera / has a decent sized display already?

Probably a bit more expensive route, but then you'd have a nice modern touchscreen deck and not have a nice sized built in screen for the backup.

 

Dual 1000 watt 4ch amp from Wal-Mart.

 

That certainly is an option. I have been considering it.
Trouble is, I actually like the buttons and dials on the Gen 6 audio unit.
How much did your set-up cost?

I think I may put off the back-up cam until I decide what to do about the sound system.
Confused.