<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by cmeinck:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">XM module is not attached to the radio, it is a separate module that is located under the dash, and wired to the rear of the radio. There is a difference with XM capable and having XM. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Sorry for being dense, but are you saying there is no difference between my factory stereo and the XM capable factory stereo I just bought.
Thanks for your patience and help. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
This is hard to explain.
If you order a H3, you get get XM with any radio. Now, whether or not there is an internal difference between a radio shipped from the factory with XM from one shipped without XM, I can't say for sure. I WAS HOPING someone who has already performed this type of conversion would step in.
I can't verify it now, but I will tomorrow AM, when I have access to the GM parts system. If there are two different part numbers for the base radio, then it will be qualified as one with XM one without. However, I thought from viewing the parts system a few weeks ago, that the radios are not sub-qualified as being XM ready or not.
What I can definitely state is that the XM receiver, is a separate module, that is normally located just above the glove box. The XM receiver is NOT built into the radio. The XM receiver communicates with the radio via via a class 2 comm circuit, and sends low level audio signals to the radio.
I also believe that there are aftermarket receivers that can be used in place of the factory XM receiver, and these receivers interface almost identically to the factory XM receiver.
I'll get back tomorrow with the parts information, unless someone else can step and and give a definite answer.