2021 Equinox

[w1cvl]

Hello all,

I'm trying to run power for a mobile radio in my 2021 Equinox, but I cannot for the life of me find a spot to run the power cable through the firewall to the battery. When I ask around, everyone says find an existing grommet, but I can't seem to find any. They are very well hidden. Has anyone had any success with this?

Thanks & 73s,
W1CVL

 

[mrweather]

Sometimes a power feed wire can fit in the same hole as the hood release cable.

 

[TGuelker]

All the domestic firewalls I have seen in the last 10 years have no grommets.

Each grommet costs about 3 cents. Multiply that by the amount of cars that require a grommet and you are talking big $$$.

You may need to measure three times and drill a hole.

Had a Jeep Wrangler towed in from an Audio Express (Home of the one dollar install) and the installer drilled a hole right through the PCM which was mounted on the back side of the firewall on the passenger side.

Had a Camaro that an installer mounted an amp in the trunk and drilled 4 holes in the top of the gas tank.

 

[mmckenna]

Hello all,

I'm trying to run power for a mobile radio in my 2021 Equinox, but I cannot for the life of me find a spot to run the power cable through the firewall to the battery. When I ask around, everyone says find an existing grommet, but I can't seem to find any. They are very well hidden. Has anyone had any success with this?

Thanks & 73s,
W1CVL

Look around the brake master cylinder. There's usually a large wire harness that comes through the firewall near there. The last 2021 Chevrolet Colorado I worked on had it there.
Look closely on that feed through and you should see a nipple off to one side. You can cut the end off that and feed your wire through. I was able to run a 6 gauge wire through there.
You might need to get directly above or directly under the vehicle to see it:

 

[mmckenna]

Had a Jeep Wrangler towed in from an Audio Express (Home of the one dollar install) and the installer drilled a hole right through the PCM which was mounted on the back side of the firewall on the passenger side.

Had a Camaro that an installer mounted an amp in the trunk and drilled 4 holes in the top of the gas tank.

Something I quickly learned in the two way radio industry:

NEVER, and I mean NEVER, allow a stereo shop to do an install. I don't know where they find those guys, and I don't really want to know. But I've had to fix way too many radio installs done by stereo shops.

 

[slowmover]

1). I run power thru the same grommet the power goes to doors when I can’t find an opening. Passenger-side. Fishing it between inner & outer fenders to an engine compartment opening is the hard part.

2). The steering column usually is weatherproofed with a large rubber gasket sheet. A hole can be punched, the wire run and secured from movement, then a liquid-type sealer applied on both sides.

3) I’d continue to look by the HVAC if it’s all on the passenger-side. Those lines have to get thru the firewall. The difficulty may be on the interior side. A shirt hanger “wire” used as a fishtape from the engine compartment side should work.

Measure to estimate where it will emerge (height) and whether your hand can grab and guide it. Hook at engine side so as not to loose it. Tape wire from other side to pull thru.

4). Vehicle-specific online forums are the start-point to see if someone else hasn’t already done the job. Same for Utube. Start with a search here.

.

 

[sfd119]

All the domestic firewalls I have seen in the last 10 years have no grommets.

What?? My 19 Silverado has several...

 

[AI7PM]

I solved similar issues with a drill. Know whats on both side first.

 

[TGuelker]

What?? My 19 Silverado has several...

I meant no grommets for holes with nothing going through the grommet

 

[sfd119]

Mine had a grommet with nothing going through it.

 

[sfd745]

I have a 2020 Equinox. I ran 10/2 for power and an 16/6 for front LEDs and PA speaker through the same grommet as the master electrical harness. There was plenty of room to make a punch through the grommet and pass the wires through. Unfortunately, I don't have a current picture.

I ran the wires down the driver's side in the running board / door channel with the factory wires all the way back to the rear luggage compartment. I built a 1/2 in. plywood mounting board that fit over the spare tire, but under the storage floor plate and installed my XTS5000 and LED flasher on it.

 

[slowmover]

I meant no grommets for holes with nothing going through the grommet

As in my post above, I went online to the vehicle forum covers my sons SUV and found that out.