Now I'm Really Confused
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 541
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From: Colleyville Texas
Now I'm Really Confused
I have a 07 non-Bose base radio. No On-Star, etc. Just a radio and single CD changer. I have a Kenwood DNX7100 Nav to install and I've been reading the threads on this. My head hurts!!!!!
I plan on using the stock amp, stock antenna, etc. There seems to be so much back and forth on the topic of 5V vs 12V vs no volts vs relays. very frustrating, to say the least. Surely, with so many people that have installed aftermarket nav units there's a definitive answer out there. Not denegrading the inout on that thread, but it seems to be in loop mode.
Jim
I plan on using the stock amp, stock antenna, etc. There seems to be so much back and forth on the topic of 5V vs 12V vs no volts vs relays. very frustrating, to say the least. Surely, with so many people that have installed aftermarket nav units there's a definitive answer out there. Not denegrading the inout on that thread, but it seems to be in loop mode.
Jim
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
For the best possible radio reception in a C6 with an aftermarket radio installed:
At the main C1 radio plug, supply 12v to the white wire at B3 whenever the radio is playing, and 5v to the yellow wire at A4 when you're listening to FM.
C6 schematics are available HERE
To see why the above is true, check out the copy/paste from a GM service manual HERE
Just FYI, on the aftermarket interface adapters the blue wire is at pin B3, so if you're still using the OEM amp/speaker setup your white B3 wire already has 12v. If you're reception complaints are with AM, there's nothing more you can do. If FM is the problem, try adding the 5v at A4. Connect the blue 'antenna' wire from the HU to a 5v regulator, then connect the regulator output to A4.
At the main C1 radio plug, supply 12v to the white wire at B3 whenever the radio is playing, and 5v to the yellow wire at A4 when you're listening to FM.
C6 schematics are available HERE
To see why the above is true, check out the copy/paste from a GM service manual HERE
Just FYI, on the aftermarket interface adapters the blue wire is at pin B3, so if you're still using the OEM amp/speaker setup your white B3 wire already has 12v. If you're reception complaints are with AM, there's nothing more you can do. If FM is the problem, try adding the 5v at A4. Connect the blue 'antenna' wire from the HU to a 5v regulator, then connect the regulator output to A4.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
For the best possible radio reception in a C6 with an aftermarket radio installed:
At the main C1 radio plug, supply 12v to the white wire at B3 whenever the radio is playing, and 5v to the yellow wire at A4 when you're listening to FM.
C6 schematics are available HERE
To see why the above is true, check out the copy/paste from a GM service manual HERE
Just FYI, on the aftermarket interface adapters the blue wire is at pin B3, so if you're still using the OEM amp/speaker setup your white B3 wire already has 12v. If you're reception complaints are with AM, there's nothing more you can do. If FM is the problem, try adding the 5v at A4. Connect the blue 'antenna' wire from the HU to a 5v regulator, then connect the regulator output to A4.
At the main C1 radio plug, supply 12v to the white wire at B3 whenever the radio is playing, and 5v to the yellow wire at A4 when you're listening to FM.
C6 schematics are available HERE
To see why the above is true, check out the copy/paste from a GM service manual HERE
Just FYI, on the aftermarket interface adapters the blue wire is at pin B3, so if you're still using the OEM amp/speaker setup your white B3 wire already has 12v. If you're reception complaints are with AM, there's nothing more you can do. If FM is the problem, try adding the 5v at A4. Connect the blue 'antenna' wire from the HU to a 5v regulator, then connect the regulator output to A4.
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
Another post said there was actually 8 volts on the A4 wire. One person bought a voltage regulator at Fry's Electronics. The 5 volt one is the NTE-960 Frys # 1377412. But they also make a 6 volt and 8 volt regulator: NTE962 (1975433)(6 volt) nad NTE964 (1975444)(8 volt).
Would the 6 or 8 volt be better or is 5 volts enough?
EDIT: I just bought a NTE-960 from Fry's. 5 Volt Positive Voltage Regulator. Seems to work for other people, I'm sticking with it. Now if I want to get fancy, I have a left over switch from an IPOD adapter that I could wire in so I can turn off the 5 volt signal when using AM radio. Does anyone know if that would be a good idea????
Would the 6 or 8 volt be better or is 5 volts enough?
EDIT: I just bought a NTE-960 from Fry's. 5 Volt Positive Voltage Regulator. Seems to work for other people, I'm sticking with it. Now if I want to get fancy, I have a left over switch from an IPOD adapter that I could wire in so I can turn off the 5 volt signal when using AM radio. Does anyone know if that would be a good idea????
Last edited by glennhl; Apr 29, 2010 at 10:04 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,762
Likes: 4
From: Chandler Arizona
The 5 volt trick did not work for me. Wish I had just ignored this recommendation, caused me a lot of work. I was very careful and soldered leads to the NTE-960 5 volt regulator and covered with heat shrink. Soldered the leads to the power & grounds coming from the head unit. Then I took the 5 volt lead and tapped into the A4 line on the car side connector. I also checked the 5 volt lead and it was putting out 4.8 volts.
When I powered up I got most of the FM stations, but some of them sounded like there was a helicopter in the background. I removed the center console again and clipped the 5 volt line. VIOLA, all FM and AM stations were clear as can be and all came in great. To me the 5 volt trick was just a bad deal. Can't say for everyone else, just my experience.
When I powered up I got most of the FM stations, but some of them sounded like there was a helicopter in the background. I removed the center console again and clipped the 5 volt line. VIOLA, all FM and AM stations were clear as can be and all came in great. To me the 5 volt trick was just a bad deal. Can't say for everyone else, just my experience.
