I do have the right part (amplifier) on the way and I'm returning the wrong amp. As far as bypassing the amp, is it possible? Are there after market solutions to this problem?

 

As the saga continues...
I get an email saying that my money has been refunded for the right amplifier for my 2004 Monte Carlo SS Intimidator. No explanation given. I ordered this part from OEM Car Audio LLC. I then notice the part is still on their web site but with a higher price.

After getting this refund notice, I went on-line to find another place to find the amplifier, I then come across the same site selling the same amplifier part for $125. So I ordered it again! We will see what happen, Meanwhile I have a new radio and CD player in my car I can't even listen to. My frustration is growing daily!

I never had so many problems trying to find parts for a car. WERE DO I FIND THIS PART???

 

Absolutely. Search on here for amp bypass, I'm sure theres threads on it. I remember Metra used to even make a bypass harness for certain years of monte/impala, I don't remember exactly what years though (its just a simple loop).

Frankly for all the issues you've had, I'd have just run 4 shots of wire from an aftermarket deck to each speaker and been done with it. Wouldn't take more than a couple hours to do that.

 

I would check places like eBay or Car-Parts.com. See where you can get pics of the connectors to confirm it is what you are looking for. In the 2000-2005 Monte, I am aware of two different factory amps and it is based on what year of the car you have (not sure what was the switch over year).

 

I really don't trust buying off eBay. I've heard too man horror stories of people getting ripped off. I did check out he Car-Parts.com. They didn't even show the correct part numbers for the amplifier so that was a dead end.

So the sage still continues...
I got my refund for the first amplifier I bought through Walmart.
I got my refund for the second amplifier through OEM Car Auto LLC- I have no idea why my money was refunded!
I still have a receipt from OEM Autosound.com for an amplifier yet no money was taking out of my bank account for it.
Last night I purchased yet another amplifier form Madbuys.com who did take my money, but hasn't processed the order as of yet.

Does it really need to be this much of a hassle just to get the right part?

 

I have bought plenty off eBay. And eBay does take claims seriously.

As for Car-Parts.com, they just list the inventory different junk yards submit. I actually find it odd that if your amp is a factory amp it does not match the two part numbers listed on Car-Parts.com (as I mentioned earlier, in the 2000-2005 Monte, I am only aware of two different factory amps and the difference I believe was between year ranges). But if you pull up the different amps by part numbers, some of the places post pics of the part or you can call them and see if they can send pics that you could use to match up to what you have. OH and the inventory on Car-Parts.com will also provide info (such as the year) of the car that the part came from. Last option I can think of is see what junk yards are near you and pull the amp yourself. After that the only other answers might be aftermarket amps.

 

I did get an email back from OEM Car Auto LLC, who said that the part was sold out and didn't know when they would have a restocked. I find that odd because the part is still being advertised for $199.

From what I can tell the Intimidator SS series had a beefed up amplifier. While it shares the part number 10449234, It has a different reference number CY-BG2262ZC. This amplifier has a different attachments and well as different wire plug-ins. I wish I knew that from the beginning!

 

So here is an update on my 2004 SS Intimidator. It turns out that since the car never had a undercoat on the bottom side, it's gotten to the point where it's rusted out and will no longer pass state inspection. Before I got this news, I spent $500 on a new windshield, I spent $1300 getting the dash working again...this include a new factory radio and CD player. After a lot of trouble I did manage to get the right radio amplifier, I never really needed a new radio. Looks like it was all for nothing however. I can't find anybody to fix the rust and local dealers won't give me what it's worth as a trade in. The car only has 72,000 miles on it and everything works in it. So what should be my next move? What would you do? One thing I do know, Now is not the economic environment to buy a used car in. Since I'm on a fixed income I don't have a lot to spend on a new used car. Anything with less then 100,000 miles on it is easily over 10 grand. The used car industry is nuts right now! Anybody with any suggestions on my next move???

 

You just need to be on the lookout for a good deal. Theyre out there. We just got an 07 SS with less than 100k for $7000.

 

I assume since no one will fix it that the rust is on the body - not the suspension / replaceable pieces?

If it doesn't pass inspection, I'm surprised the dealers are offering you any money for it. Is it safe/ drivable in a non inspection state? Perhaps you could sell it private party out of state?

Personally I'd ditch the car ASAP and buy a used southern car with no rust. Like whtmonte- just had a coworker sell a rust free GP GXP with 80k for $7k, so there are good deals out there. Id just be leery buying anything else up that area for fear that you'd run into the same problem.

If you can't legally drive this anymore, then there's no reason to spend any more effort on it. I mean you could buy a high mileage rust free one and swap the stuff over, but unless you're really into DIY and have the tools - that would cost a fortune.