96 radio/player

I just purchased a 96 Riv with a stock radio that also has a cd player. The cd player does not work. It takes the cd in and leaves it there but no response as far as sound goes. It also has a cassette player and that works just fine. My question here has to do with repairing the cd player. Is it possible to repair the cd player? How much does it cost? Is it easier and/or cheaper to just replace the whole unit? I would like to keep the unit that came with the car but I don't know if it is more trouble than it's worth. Help!
The second problem I have has to do with the antenna. It will not go up and consequently the radio only plays on two FM stations. I also own a 95 Riv SC that I am about to use for parts for a whole lot of reasons. I assume the antenna unit is interchangeable between the 95 and 96. Is there anything I should know about removing the unit and then installing it in the 96? Any tricks?

I have a stock unit with a working CD but a broken cassette. You could probably just swap the parts to get one working. You would probably be better off just getting a nice aftermarket unit instead of screwing with the stock one. The antenna can be fixed, but it's easier just to go out and get a new one.

Interesting. On the antenna. I was talking about swapping the working one in the 95 over to the 96. Why do I need a new one? And on the radio. Are you proposing me getting your radio? How much? Does the cd player work?

It's just easier to put in a new antenna than to dissect your existing one. Usually the plastic inside of the mast snaps, and they do sell replacement plastic. You can probably swap the one from the 95 over. New to me usually means its something that works, not necesarilly "new". If you want my radio PM me with your offer.

Bro u sure you need an antenna?.....sometimes I wanna unplug mine.I think it looks ugly by today's standarts.

best damn antenna bar none. picks up everything loud and clear.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_20615_Metra-44-UA200.html

bondo the antenna hole out back and be done with it.

Robo,I am looking for something like that  but want to leave the antenna  the way it is.Just don't want it up .

stan wrote:

Robo,I am looking for something like that  but want to leave the antenna  the way it is.Just don't want it up .

If I'm gettin what yer meanin,just lower the antenna & disconnect it.Unplug it from the stereo and in it's place the new antenna.Route the wires behind the front pillar trim & place the antenna behind the rear view mirror.Voila! easy peazy nice and eazy!tunes all day long & into the 'morrow whoa whoa whoa  

That $20 antenna sounds pretty good to me. That will solve one problem but it won't fix my cd player. I really would like that to work. I am not opposed to replacing the whole unit but my biggest concern is that it just won't look correct. Should that really matter? The more I think about it the better it sounds.

..eh,yer call..

Robo , do you think just disconnecting the goddamn antenna can still give me some radio reception?

Used power antennas are $20-30 and the radios are about the same from a wrecking yard. Most reputable yards will guarantee the part fits and works or will exchange it. Both the antennas and radios are easy to find.

Al

stan wrote:

Robo , do you think just disconnecting the goddamn antenna can still give me some radio reception?

Ya know,God controls reception so....No reception,no radio.Leave the antenna disconnected & You'll only get a mish mash of white noise.some people dig that.

haha...alright,so I have to get that Metra 44-UA200 .Thanx!

Hey Robotennis, Was it you who recommended the Metra UA200 antennae? If it was, or even if it was not, I have a question for you. Why does the end of the Metra antennae that plugs into the radio not fit in the hole???? I finally got the whole thing apart and was pretty proud installing that antennae until I tried to plug it into the radio. It just will not fit. It's too big. I tried it with the old factory unit which I replaced and it would not fit that either. Then I took the old unit in the garage where I had a few old antennaes from other cars and they would not fit into the Riv unit either. The hole in the Riv unit is smaller than the antennae end that is supposed to plug into it. So now what do I do? My dash is all apart, my wires are all routed, and I am stuck. Do I just take a large tool and try to force it in? I thought that all antennae plug-ins were the same size. Help!!!!

The gm antenna is a different size than aftermarket antennas. I'm not sure if you can get an aftermarket to gm adapter though. As far as the immediate thing to do I would leave the new one routed and plug the old antenna in until you can find an adapter that works or get an aftermarket unit.

John, Matt is right. The GM antenna has a different size coax connector, but there are adapters:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271312235869?_trksid=p2055120.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

That adapter is the wrong one. It takes the stock antenna to an aftermarket headunit. He needs one that takes an aftermarket antenna to a stock headunit.

As I said before I bought the Metra antennae and it would not fit into the radio. I then went and bought an adapter and when I attempted to install it I found that the angle of the adapter was wrong and the radio would not fit into the hole far enough to seat. $20.00 plus for the antennae and another $20.00 for the adapter and it still isn't finished. They should tell you on the package that the antennae will not fit the GM radio without an adapter. I ended up taking the antennae from my 95 and putting it in the 96. It was very easy. I left the Metra antennae installed in case I decide to get an after market radio sometime in the future. Even though I am not using the Metra antennae it has decided to give me a hard time anyway. When I went out to the car on a very warm day the antennae had lost it's grip and was hanging from the windshield. I was careful to follow the directions when applying it. Some things are just aggravating.