High level vs. Low level Ouput from HU, the X3, & wiring confusion?

[CamaroFTW]

Originally Posted by jeepguy_1980

The onstar signal gets to the amp via the radio. You would not have the factory radio, so you have to take the signal it normally sends to the radio and route it to the 3sixty.3 on your own.

That can't be right as then why would Scosche sell the Onstar module if you could not hear it?? The sounds must come off the their harness and at least be at the X3 in the back to draw it from.

[jeepguy_1980]

Originally Posted by CamaroFTW

That can't be right as then why would Scosche sell the Onstar module if you could not hear it?? The sounds must come off the their harness and at least be at the X3 in the back to draw it from.

If the Scosche kit is like the Metra, it does exactly what I'm suggesting that you do. It takes the two wires that would normally go to the OEM radio and mixes that signal with the aftermarket radio's RCA out.

[darkrider01]

Originally Posted by CamaroFTW

lol..I like thinking people!

OK so you are saying that maybe take the front RCA's from the X3 and input to Front2 and then use the software to combine to say Left front channel? Would that have all the sounds from the Onstar/chimes? Seems could even use some kind of combiner and put the 2 front and rear (+) and the 2 rear (-) into these and then output to 2 RCA to go to Front2 input?

http://www.amazon.com/Steren-RCA-Y-A...+to+2+RCA+Male

I wouldn't go that route. Let the 3Sixty.3 do the mixing. Y-adapters are not for mixing signals. In this case, you could damage the RCA output section of your radio as you would be combining a high level signal and a low level signal. The Scosche kit does not provide LOC functions.

Also, the chimes will come out of the speaker on the back of the HVAC controls. And don't worry, it's plenty loud.

Originally Posted by CamaroFTW

That can't be right as then why would Scosche sell the Onstar module if you could not hear it?? The sounds must come off the their harness and at least be at the X3 in the back to draw it from.

You are correct here FTW. The Scosche kit does not send the Onstar signal to the radio. The CAMOSM module piggybacks the OnStar sounds/etc. on the radio output speaker level wiring. That is why I'm saying you should use the X3 RCA's to mix in the OnStar sounds.

[darkrider01]

Originally Posted by jeepguy_1980

If the Scosche kit is like the Metra, it does exactly what I'm suggesting that you do. It takes the two wires that would normally go to the OEM radio and mixes that signal with the aftermarket radio's RCA out.

The Scosche kit must be a lot different than the Metra kit then.

The Scosche kit harness takes the speaker outputs from the radio and sends them directly back to the X3. It does not convert them to RCA's nor does the Scosche harness accept RCA's. I'm pretty sure that the reason Scosche did it this way is because the factory amp can take high or low level as input without issue.

[CamaroFTW]

Originally Posted by jeepguy_1980

If the Scosche kit is like the Metra, it does exactly what I'm suggesting that you do. It takes the two wires that would normally go to the OEM radio and mixes that signal with the aftermarket radio's RCA out.

No the Scosche does not get extra wires from what you call the Onstar communication module to the right of dash. You plug on the Onstar to the Scosche harness and it feeds the voice output to the 4 channels front and rear.

So this tells me that the Scosche harness must get the onstar voice from on of the 2 connectors that plug into the car in the dash.

I like how we are all "working this out" though

[darkrider01]

Originally Posted by jeepguy_1980

As for OnStar retention, it is still possible using my idea. If you look at the diagram below, there is clearly a (+) and (-) signal coming from the OnStar module. Those could be routed to the 3Sixty.3 and mixed in. The only difference between this and OEM operation would be that you would have to manually mute the radio.

Looks like it gets the OnStar voice/info from the DK BLU and LT BLU/BLK wires coming from the Telematics Comm Interface. IF it is just a basic analog audio signal, then the radio must be programmed to mute on a signal sense from those wires. My fear would be that it is a digital signal and must be processed by the radio or CAMOSM module. It is probably just analog though since it has + and - signals. Depending on how long you can wait, I could test it this weekend when I put in my 3Sixty.

Originally Posted by CamaroFTW

No the Scosche does not get extra wires from what you call the Onstar communication module to the right of dash. You plug on the Onstar to the Scosche harness and it feeds the voice output to the 4 channels front and rear.

So this tells me that the Scosche harness must get the onstar voice from on of the 2 connectors that plug into the car in the dash.

I like how we are all "working this out" though

Looks like we're on the same page.

[darkrider01]

If it works out, I may just run a small amp (like the factory amp) to the center channel and use it for OnStar only.

[jeepguy_1980]

Originally Posted by darkrider01

Looks like it gets the OnStar voice/info from the DK BLU and LT BLU/BLK wires coming from the Telematics Comm Interface. IF it is just a basic analog audio signal, then the radio must be programmed to mute on a signal sense from those wires. My fear would be that it is a digital signal and must be processed by the radio or CAMOSM module. It is probably just analog though since it has + and - signals. Depending on how long you can wait, I could test it this weekend when I put in my 3Sixty.



Looks like we're on the same page.

That is exactly what I have been saying for a while, lost in translation somewhere. I plan to order a 3Sixty.3 later this week. I have an extra radio harness. I might try cutting the onstar wires on it just to test my theory. If I like the way it works out, that may be one less thing keeping me from going with a full-blown aftermarket HU.

As for the Metra kit chimes being loud enough, I'm sure they are, but I would still send that signal to the 3Sixty.3, to get a more refined experience. I think an aftermarket HU should be better than stock in every way. I shouldn't have to downgrade to some 1980's speaker or relay to mimic my turn signal and chimes sounds.

[CamaroFTW]

Originally Posted by jeepguy_1980

That is exactly what I have been saying for a while, lost in translation somewhere. I plan to order a 3Sixty.3 later this week. I have an extra radio harness. I might try cutting the onstar wires on it just to test my theory. If I like the way it works out, that may be one less thing keeping me from going with a full-blown aftermarket HU.

As for the Metra kit chimes being loud enough, I'm sure they are, but I would still send that signal to the 3Sixty.3, to get a more refined experience. I think an aftermarket HU should be better than stock in every way. I shouldn't have to downgrade to some 1980's speaker or relay to mimic my turn signal and chimes sounds.

But if we didn't want to cut into the Telecommunications wires, the Onstar sounds should already be on the front and rear speaker outs of the Scosche that is sent back to the X3. Should be able to grab the sounds off that and not have to splice into some other part of the car.

[CamaroFTW]

Originally Posted by darkrider01

Looks like it gets the OnStar voice/info from the DK BLU and LT BLU/BLK wires coming from the Telematics Comm Interface. IF it is just a basic analog audio signal, then the radio must be programmed to mute on a signal sense from those wires. My fear would be that it is a digital signal and must be processed by the radio or CAMOSM module. It is probably just analog though since it has + and - signals. Depending on how long you can wait, I could test it this weekend when I put in my 3Sixty.

I am in no rush as my car will be in the body shop at least 2 more weeks.

So experiment my mad professor and solve the riddles of the universe!

Can't wait to find out what you discover!

[jeepguy_1980]

Originally Posted by CamaroFTW

But if we didn't want to cut into the Telecommunications wires, the Onstar sounds should already be on the front and rear speaker outs of the Scosche that is sent back to the X3. Should be able to grab the sounds off that and not have to splice into some other part of the car.

Yeah, if you want the high quality signal that comes from your HU to get processed by a $30 (or so) box. But since the 3sixty.3 allows 8 inputs, you should send a pure signal its way.

[CamaroFTW]

Originally Posted by jeepguy_1980

Yeah, if you want the high quality signal that comes from your HU to get processed by a $30 (or so) box. But since the 3sixty.3 allows 8 inputs, you should send a pure signal its way.

OK maybe darkrider01 will test this for us and see how it works! Thanks

[CamaroFTW]

Any update darkrider01?? Would love to hear what you discovered.

[darkrider01]

Originally Posted by CamaroFTW

Any update darkrider01?? Would love to hear what you discovered.

Eh, not yet. Had to work last weekend and I have a Concealed Carry class this Saturday. The plan is for me and my wife to tear everything apart this Saturday night and install the 3Sixty.3 on Sunday.

I've been thinking about how to get the 3Sixty to properly mix the OnStar input. When setting up the 3Sixty (and MS-8), you play a CD that has a special audio track that helps the unit properly set input levels. My fear is that the audio signal coming from the OnStar wires will be too loud or even too soft.

It's really all speculation at this point, but I aim to find out this weekend.