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Hi there. I'm also trying to use just this setup, as I have a 2003 9-3 Convertible, that I'm trying to wedge the CK3000 into. Unfortunately If you're in America, I've got bad news, because of the standard OnStar equipment. After talking to people on the 9-3 board and at the dealership, it seemed pretty easy to install any handsfree - buy the Saab wiring harness and the CK3000, splice some wires together, and tuck the CK3000 behind the interior panels, and you're good to go. Apparently, only 9-5 drivers use the handsfree integration, as there is a wealth of info in this board's archives on the problems with it, which I didn't find looking through the 9-3 posts...
Unfortunately, it's not nearly as easy to install as it sounds. First, the instructions with the wiring harness were terrible. It took me 3 hours to remove the glovebox and footwell panel to get to where the harness plugs in. Then, I found after poking in every crevice I could behind the dash, that because OnStar is installed, not only are the pre-wired connections (audio, microphone, power, etc) already taken by OnStar, but it's a different harness altogether, so you can't even unplug OnStar to plug in the Saab phone harness. There's no mention anywhere that the phone harness is useless on an OnStar equipped car (which of course, has been standard for a few years now, so it's not like it was rare. The catalog specifically lists the models and years where OnStar is standard equipment as compatible.)
For what it's worth, there's a product called Triad (http://www.uhltronics.com) that sits between OnStar and the car's wiring, and allows you to add a phone kit which will co-habitate with OnStar. I sent an e-mail to UHL asking if they knew yet whether the CK3000 would work - I'll post back when I get a reply. I think it should, since the CK3000 has all the right bits. Unfortunately, it's another $130 for that piece.
Now that I've blown so much money and time on the CK3000 and ripping the interior apart, I'm debating whether to spend another $130 on the Triad, which is apparently a real chore to install (have to remove the radio and other dash electronics and splice wires everywhere).
The other option is to install the CK3000 directly, without using the car's pre-wiring. But then, you still need to yank out the radio and fit all the wires back there, run a microphone up out of the dash, and you still don't get full integration. No steering wheel volume control, for example, or indication on the SID when the phone is in use, ringing, etc.
Overall, I'm kind of pissed that Saab doesn't tell you that the harness is useless with OnStar. I wouldn't even have bothered with all this hassle if I knew it was $350 and 10 hours of labor and soldering to get it working, but now I feel like I'm too far in to give up.
I'll post back if I bother to get it working and you're interested in any details.
Also, since it sounds like you don't have the CK3000 yet, maybe you're unaware of what it comes with. It does include a microphone, but no speakers. It has ISO harnesses to directly plug into your radio, between the box and the speaker/amp wires. It has a tiny control box with two buttons and two LEDs. You don't absolutely need to have access to the control box, but I wouldn't recommend ditching it. Only Ericsson phones support totally handsfree access, through the "magic word" voice activation. Other phones you need to either push the button on the CK3000 remote, and then speak the name, or use the phone directly to dial with (or use the phone's voice dialing). And you can only hang up with a non-ericsson by using the remote or phone as well. The remote is tiny and unintrusive (about 1.2 inches by .5 inches by .3 inches thick), with adhesive on the back. The control box is small, and should fit in the area under the ACC (at least on a 9-3. I'm not sure how different the 9-5 dash area is), or behind the radio. But be careful not to tuck it behind too much metal, as the bluetooth range will be reduced.
posted by 139.85.164...
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