84 Bose Radio Question

[Thomas F.]

My radio has a heavy guage black wire coming out the back. This wire is about 7 inches long and has a black female connector on the end. I did not notice if it was connected to anything when I removed the radio. Now I am trying to reinstall my radio and cannot find anywhere to connect this wire. Can anyone help me?

[William C.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

According to my schematic (89 unfortunately) there is a 1.0mm black wire that is a ground wire, should connect to a single ground wire from the IP harness.

[Thomas F.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

Thanks Bill, that is what I thought it might be, but I have looked and looked and cannot find the wire where it might plug into. The wiring diagram that I am using is suppose to be for an 84, but I cannot locate this wire on the diagram. The wiring diagram shows the connection to the radio and the connection to the radio for the radio clock. There is a black wire in the 4 wire connector to the radio. I thought this might be the ground for the radio. The wiring diagram for the speaker system is shown on a separate diagram. This diagram shows the 2 other connectors for the speakers, wiring to all the speakers and the relay that powers the speakers. Thanks again for the information, I think I will install my radio and see if it plays without this wire connected and go from there. Wish me luck.

[Ken A.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

You have an 85-89 radio. The 84 did not have that wire. Leave it and plug in the radio, it will work without it.

[Thomas F.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

Thanks Ken that is very interesting and raises another question you may be able to help me with. Is my radio a Bose Radio?

All the speakers are Bose, the wiring matches the wiring diagram for the Bose system and connect to the radio with no problems, however the NCRS Judging Manual says the Bose radios have a label saying they are Bose. I cannot find any such label on my radio. The manual does not provide any detail for this label or where it is located on the radio. Can you look at the front of a Bose radio and tell it is a Bose?

If I connect the radio and it plays does that mean it is a Bose? Will a regular Stero radio operate with the Bose speakers? Is it the speakers that make it a Bose system or a radio and speakers?

Any information and comments are welcome. Thanks again for your help.

[William C.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

Located (at least on an '89) on the face of the radio right above the seek-scan buttons. The Bose system is significantly different in opeeration from the standard radio in that the amplifiers are cantained in the speaker housings which have been tuned to match the interior characteristics of a specific car line. The speaker grilles will also indicate bose on the grille face, and the bose radio code should be called on on the option list in the center compartment. If the speakers work and neither the radio or the speakers say bose, you have the standard radio package.

[Ken A.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

Thanks Ken that is very interesting and raises another question you may be able to help me with. Is my radio a Bose Radio?

All the speakers are Bose, the wiring matches the wiring diagram for the Bose system and connect to the radio with no problems, however the NCRS Judging Manual says the Bose radios have a label saying they are Bose. I cannot find any such label on my radio. The manual does not provide any detail for this label or where it is located on the radio. Can you look at the front of a Bose radio and tell it is a Bose?

If I connect the radio and it plays does that mean it is a Bose? Will a regular Stero radio operate with the Bose speakers? Is it the speakers that make it a Bose system or a radio and speakers?

Any information and comments are welcome. Thanks again for your help.

Thomas, do not connect a non Bose radio to your system. It could damage the amps. Check for a paper part # on your radio.
84 was 16029091
85-89 was 16041551
As usual, the manual is incorrect. There are no "labels" on the radio to identify it as a BOSE unit. There is a plastic emblem glued to the dial plate that says "DELCO/BOSE" on the 85-89 receiver, which is easily knocked off. Look for traces of adhesive in the upper left corner of the smoked lens.
Another easy way to tell an 84 from an 85-89 is the cassette opening: the 84 has a single door and the 85-89 has a split double door.

[Thomas F.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

I have attempted to post some pics of my radio. Bear with me I have never posted any pics. I hope they come out ok. The part number does not match the one you gave me. Looks like this is not a Bose.

[Thomas F.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

I have attempted to post some pics of my radio. Bear with me I have never posted any pics. I hope they come out ok. The part number does not match the one you gave me. Looks like this is not a Bose.

Opps, I guess my pics were too large. I will try to resize them and repost.

[Thomas F.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

Opps, I guess my pics were too large. I will try to resize them and repost.

I think I have succeeded this time.

Is this a Bose Radio?

[William C.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

At least according to Hollanders, the part number on the tag (16041263) indicates a non-Bose radio, Generic GM with cassette tape from the 1984 model year.

[Ken A.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

At least according to Hollanders, the part number on the tag (16041263) indicates a non-Bose radio, Generic GM with cassette tape from the 1984 model year.

Bill is correct, that is a "corporate" cassette player for all other GM vehicles(looks like a Camaro) and is not what you need. Look for a ubit that has "pink" wire coming out of the back.

[William C.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

First might want to pull out a speaker and look for the amplifier inside the housing to see if it has Bose speakers, unless you have already checked this from the options list inside the lid of the center console.

[Thomas F.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

First might want to pull out a speaker and look for the amplifier inside the housing to see if it has Bose speakers, unless you have already checked this from the options list inside the lid of the center console.

All speakers are Bose with amplifiers, all wiring matches my wiring diagram for the Bose system. All the connectors match up with the radio. Speakers are in each door and in the back. I don't want to hook it up and turn it on if it might damage the amps. The radio was not working when I purchased the car, but some of the wiring had been cut for some reason. I have repaired the wiring problems. The option list says it came with the Bose system, but this is no assurance that the radio itself is actually a Bose. Everything points to a Bose system except the radio based on info I have been able to acquire on this forum. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to help me with this question. Have a great day.

[Thomas F.]

Re: 84 Bose Radio Question

At least according to Hollanders, the part number on the tag (16041263) indicates a non-Bose radio, Generic GM with cassette tape from the 1984 model year.

Thanks Bill. Can you tell me more about "Hollanders"? Is this a book?