Install a Car Radio in a 2003 Saturn Ion

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The original radio for the Saturn has mounting brackets attached to the sides using four flat head screws per bracket. The bottom fit closely, but the top of the radio was hitting the top of the opening. I spent a lot of time setting the radio presets before I noticed there were 24 available (18 FM, 6 AM). I was only able to use two of the screws per bracket, but that should be enough. There is a plug on the driver’s side through which you can run the cable. Actually, the adapter does a better job of covering up the gaps on the side of the radio. The only tricky bit is removing the flasher switch (only the small white plug comes loose). I also had to file down the bottom a little to keep it from rubbing. If you do not have the original radio, you can use the side brackets off the Metra 95-3106 Double DIN Installation Dash Kit for Most 2000-2005 Saturn Vehicles (but not the front trim, which doesn’t fit). There are several ways to wire the two plugs together, but I prefer using butt connectors (see below) and a crimping tool. Just keep hitting the button until you get the right one. I detached mine and fastened it to the new radio (shown below). Installing a Double Din Multimedia Car Entertainment System into a 2003 Saturn Ion John Kormylo This story began when I had my car battery changed. It was easier to use the APS to set them all to the strongest signals, then reset the most obnoxious stations to weaker but better choices. On a more amusing note, “SR” is pronounced “Senior” rather than “State Road” and for some reason “US” is pronounced “Saint. Anyway, the Ouku was not on the excluded list, although it should have been. Presumably this had something to do with odd opening in the dash trim. Fortunately, the Metra adapter uses the same colors, more or less. The big problem was when I tried to close the trim. You can set the time and date automatically using the GPS, but you have to set the time zone (see the manual)