33 Responses

  1. Jack
    Jack November 16, 2014 at 3:06 am |

    I have a US9 radio (according to the sticker in my glove box – it is the six disc one) but I’m not sure if I have a Monsoon amplifier. It sounds like I may not. How can I check?

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  2. Christopher Price
    Christopher Price November 18, 2014 at 1:42 am |

    The US9 is interesting in that it was at times offered with both “uplevel” (6-speaker) and Monsoon (8-speaker with amp).

    UQ3 was the RPO code for Monsoon on most cars. Check your sticker in the glove box for that.

    And for reference, UZ6 was typically the 6-speaker setup, which was typically paired with US8 (but as you’ve noted, sometimes was offered with US9 6-disc radios too).

    It’s really interesting how the US9 radios could be coded to work with either speaker system, as can the Panasonic UUI’s, but the Delphi UUI’s will only work properly with the UQ3/Monsoon speakers.

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  3. Christopher Price
    Christopher Price November 18, 2014 at 8:55 pm |

    An anonymous tipster sent in that Panasonic radios were used on Malibu, HHR, Aura, Solstice and Sky while Delphi radios were used on Cobalt, G5, G6, and Ion.

    It’s possible that multiple vendors were sourced though, so I would still use the left/right side of the USB port (as outlined above) to differentiate a Delphi from a Panasonic, rather than just by going on which vehicle the UUI radio came from.

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  4. Samuel
    Samuel February 10, 2015 at 10:48 am |

    Cool stuff. Pre-2009 faceplates can be swapped with UUI radios.

    What that means is that you can buy a Chevy UUI, and swap the faceplate with an older US8/US9 Panasonic radio… The connector on the faceplate panel is identical is identical. But the faceplate being grafted onto the UUI has to be from a Panasonic and it has to be pre-2009.

    When you do this, you will have to relocate the USB riser. It’s super easy with a dremel. You can move the port inside the box, then run a USB extension cable out the back of the box… To the front of your car.

    I did this with my Solstice GXP Coupe, and I was able to retain my Pontiac LED colors. My donor UUI was from a HHR. The USB extension cord routes through the drive train tunnel… Leaving me with a USB port for my iPhone right in arms reach.

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    1. Rion
      Rion April 25, 2018 at 5:24 am |

      If you switch the faceplate from a HHR/Malibu UUI Panasonic RADIO that has USB on the right and aux on the left with one from a pre 2009 radio without usb, but the aux on the right – how do you switch the side the aux is on?

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  5. Vincent Seiler
    Vincent Seiler August 7, 2015 at 3:39 pm |

    This is a really great article. Thanks for all your work. I have one question. I have a 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP with the Monsoon system (US9 & UQ3). The one feature that I really like is the speed-sensitive volume adjustment. With the top down, it saves a lot of turning the volume up and down. Will any of the USB radios preserve this function?

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  6. Vincent Seiler
    Vincent Seiler September 22, 2015 at 11:59 am |

    Christopher, thank you for the additional information. I appreciate it!

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  7. Vincent Seiler
    Vincent Seiler September 22, 2015 at 12:25 pm |

    Christopher, sorry for the additional questions, but why do you recommend only the Panasonic-built radios for the Solstice and Sky? I understood your point in the main article that the Panasonic radios work better if you don’t have Monsoon, but I have Monsoon.

    You also mentioned the door chimes, and that holding the sixth preset key to adjust the door chimes only works on the Panasonic radios. Does that mean that there’s no way to adjust the door chimes on the Delphi? With the Delphi in a Solstice or Sky, would there be no door chimes?

    My main issue is that the new radios I’m finding for sale online have the USB port on the left, indicating they are Delphi. Are there any particular models and years that you recommend searching to find a Panasonic?

    Thanks again for your help!

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  8. maurice
    maurice November 16, 2015 at 3:10 pm |

    I have a 2007 Saturn aura with a us9 radio. What radio do i need with the usb. Also I do have an factory amplifier.

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  9. Warren
    Warren May 2, 2016 at 6:43 pm |

    Christopher, really informative article. I bought a used 2010 Chevy Cobalt with the Pioneer sound system (UQ3) and the previous owner swapped the radio with an aftermarket. I have been trying to figure out what part number radio to get so that I can get the steering controls and Bluetooth to work ( UK3 and UPF from my understanding). The sticker says I had a UUI radio (before the previous owner swaped it out). Do I need a particular UUI radio (based on the part number from a dealership) or will any (from any other vehicle that has a UUI radio) work? Even different year Chevy Cobalts (2009 and 2010) have different part numbers.

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  10. John Simpson
    John Simpson July 12, 2016 at 6:45 am |

    Hi Christopher, once again a lot of research and work put into this article. Thanks..
    My question is …. I have the 2008 Suburban no Bluetooth ,no USB.. what should I look for on the RPO to determine if I can swap the radio for one with USB ?
    I am still hunting for a Bluetooth VCIM. But at the same time I have inquired with Onstar that since I want to activate their service I need to upgrade the VCIM. If the upgrade from them will include Bluetooth I will most likely get GM to do it . they quoted me just a bit higher for the upgrade than what i can get a used VCIM for . But if i change the radio to one with a USB first i will get them to program it at the same time

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  11. John Simpson
    John Simpson July 12, 2016 at 2:05 pm |

    2008 Chevrolet Suburban
    VIN 1GNFK1638********
    Clear the field to enter a new VIN
    Your vehicle requires, and is eligible for, a hardware upgrade. The cost of your upgrade, including installation, will be $360*. (No payment is needed at this time.) Once your hardware is installed, you may choose to purchase either the OnStar Guidance, Security or Protection service plan. Your OnStar Advisor can provide details. (If you’ve received another communication from OnStar containing a different offer, that offer is still valid until December 31, 2016.)

    It is a 2008 Suburban LTZ came with onstar and XMRadio
    this is taken direct from the onstar website .The 360 is in Canadian $

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  12. Royce
    Royce August 10, 2016 at 9:04 am |

    Good Afternoon Chris,

    I have 09 cobalt SS, standard with Pioneer Sound System. It came with the standard aux only radio. I recently switched it out with a radio that came with the USB port. Part #20789373/UUI. My door chime is extremely loud now and I do not believe I can adjust it.

    I am looking at the 2085360. Do you know if I will be able to adjust the chime on this?

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  13. Royce
    Royce August 11, 2016 at 5:14 am |

    Very interesting. I guess I need to figure out the correct part number for the stereo. My factory head unit was non usb. part number 25834575. I guess my next step is to find out if the 20835360 is one from a pioneer cobalt.

    I believe all of these were Delphi headunits. Its unfortunate cause I had already got the headunit in my car programmed with the tech 2.

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  14. Royce
    Royce August 11, 2016 at 7:59 am |

    Do you have a part number for the Panasonic version with the USB plug in? As far as screen and LED color is the Panasonic one the same?

    If I can gain access to the tech two again, would a Panasonic radio program be the same? Will it work fine with my factory Pioneer sound system?

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    1. Kevin
      Kevin October 25, 2017 at 6:01 am |

      I bought a 2010 HHR LT new – it was missing the $100 UUI radio at the time, so no USB port (not that my wife would have known what to do with it). The car has been handed down to my two teens (first my son, now my daughter). I flirted with buying a used UUI radio for a while, but the days for saving media to your iPod or iPhone are long past, and my daughter (current driver) would get zero use out of this.
      However the aftermarket CarPlay radios are getting inexpensive (Pioneer 1300NEX for $244 – not counting the expensive install parts) – so much that I think this will be one of her upcoming Xmas/Birthday presents. (she’s unlikely to be impressed until I install it and she starts using it). I would never consider a new car today without CarPlay/Android Auto).

      Reply

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