Install in a Spectra into a Kia Spectra

[KitN1MCC]

Has any one Done this, And do you know if you install a radio into a kia if it will void the warranty.

I asked the dealer and he was squirmy.

i sent Kia an e-mail and asked them.

it is not my car it is for a Freind She is just a little worried she like to listen to the radio and call me on my business channel as needed

[jcobb]

You'll double the value of the car, for starters.

I don't know why it would void the warranty.


Jack

[fire-medic8104]

Been involved with this for a customer, so I can talk first hand due to testifying in court.

If you add aftermarket parts to a vehicle (i.e. radios, stereo systems, different size tires, etc.) you cannot be denied ALL warranty services.

The kicker is ALL.

If you install large tires on a 4X4, you can't be denied warranty service on your electrical system, but you can be denied on the drivetrain. But it is up to the dealer to prove the tires broke the driveshaft.

If you put in a radio, you may be denied warranty on the electrical but not the engine that threw a rod. But again it is up to the dealer to prove the radio had an effect on the electrical system.

The court case I was involved in involved a dealer who would not pay for repairs to the transmission because there was a high power MCS2000 mounted in it. The court rulled that the dealer had to pay for the repairs under the vehicle's warranty.

So, the short answer is no. The long answer is maybe, but it is the dealer who has to prove that the aftermarket part played a contributing factor in the factory parts failure.

[KitN1MCC]

it would be nice to start a database of case law about this for Other batlabbers to use as a convincer

[KitN1MCC]

Also She had a Dodge stratus Before with a maratrac and it had tranny Problmes. she went to the dealer then called me up Crying.

Luckily i was working for Bell Atlatic Mobile (Now Verizon) i had my manager call the dealer as well as a local Quality Guy then the Local Vice president..

Cuase they were worried bout ppl with phones calling back it went all the way to the Local cyrstler rep

[olderookie]

chrysler even put out a memo in reference to installing radios I found it in alldata a computer reference for auto repair. very lenghty indeed as to how to install radios.

[jim]

This is exactly why you perform installations as per SAE specifications and don't use butt splice connectors, junk grounds using self-tapping screws and other poor praqctices. If you follow SAE, it will be next to impossible for ANY dealer or manufacturer to argue about an installation. Most manufacturer's have specs for adding aftermarket equipment and they sure don't include running wires under the floor covering or grounding a 110 watt Maratrac at the ABS controller's ground. Follow SAE and you can't go wrong. Look at how the wiring is done from the factory and this will give you a good idea of how it should be done. After any installation, you should be able to open the hood and not see anything other than a mounted master fuse or fuse link that provides main power to the equipment location. If it doesn't look like it was routed from the factory, chances are it isn't up to spec. Also, running any cables through an existing firewall harness grommet is very poor practice. Not only did you weaken the grommet, you need to goop a ton of sealer on it to keep the interior dry. Use a dedicated feeder hole, treat with anti-corrosion inhibitor, install a plastic snap-grommet, the new harness and seal with real silicone and NOT butyl tape like many radio shops use. The biggest warranty issue is drilling the firewall and developing corrosion. The second place winner is an overloaded alternator from having 23 lights on a stock alternator.

I can go on for days about OEM/SAE quality installs, but I'm sure I'd bore most of you to sleep.