Single disc CD player

I found a single disc CD player in the trunk of a '95 at a local pick-n-pull and got it cheap.  My question is this:

Did Buick build their Rivieras in '95 - '99 with a wiring harness with terminals for every accessory available or were the wiring harnesses option specific?  

Basically, are there connectors on the wiring harness in my '95 (it came OE with the cassette storage) to install the CD player or will I have to add a special harness to connect this to the radio? I'm assuming that the CD player plays through the radio - correct?

Perhaps I should ask this question first.  What radio is needed in order for the CD player to operate properly as it was installed by the factory?

Thanks,

Ed

The service manual only shows one dash wiring harness and it does show connectors for the CD player. But, I just went and looked at my second ’95, it did not come with a CD player, the console is loose and I didn’t dig around a lot but I did not find the CD connectors?

I forgot to ad, you can see the following post from Al with part numbers for the '95 radio ...

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t9962-best-option-to-add-cd-to-95-riviera-and-keep-things-stock

Dash wiring diagram



AND, I just realized the picture of the dash is reversed! I guess it didn't get proofed very well before going to print?

Wasn't there an option to have it in the dash of a 95? Right where the 96-99 has the CD/cassette holders?

Yes, it was an option, and yes, it was a separate unit mounted in that location. I'm not sure if it was a separate option by itself or part of the SE Prestige package though.

The question here is if the wiring harness is the same for all Rivs, with and/or without the CD player.

Randall,

Thanks for the diagram; I'll pull the cassette storage and ash tray as see what I can find.  From what I read in the link, I'll be surprised if it's there.  

From the diagram I would just follow the cigarette outlet wires. Seems to go right with them.

I went out and pulled everything I mentioned.  I found a parking receipt from 1996, quite a few toothpicks, a broken Bic lighter, the top to a water bottle, a grocery receipt, and a ball point pen from a casino but no CD plug.   

The wiring was just as pictured in the diagram that Randall posted except for the lack of a CD plug. I found the lead to the console, the lead to the lighter, and the ash tray light, The ash tray  light wasn't attached to the ash tray, the missing cassette tray was with the rest of the junk (now I have all four and they all work.) Not a total waste of time. 

For me, it's not worth installing a wiring harness even if I could find one.  I'll just listen to my MP3 player through the cassette deck like I do in the '93.  Chances are that if I sell this car, it will go to someone whose first task will be to install some modern head unit.  I'll just save my time for something else.

I did get a new set of serpentine belts installed today.  Not a hard job once you figure out the routing, but my hands are  just too big to make it simple.

That sucks. I know it wouldn't be much use, but do you want a CD holder instead of the cassette holder? I've got a couple of them and a couple of the cassette holders laying around. I'm assuming since you own 4 Rivs that you just want to keep it as original and spotless as possible?

matt270avian wrote:

Do you want a CD holder instead of the cassette holder? I've got a couple of them and a couple of the cassette holders laying around. I'm assuming since you own 4 Rivs that you just want to keep it as original and spotless as possible?

What I have is in good shape but I appreciate the offer. The cassette holder will go with the cassette radio for originality and I can use a cassette adapter to 1) play my MP3 player through the radio, or 2) use the cassette adapter to play a Sirius XM receiver that I have. I'm good.

Thanks again,

Ed