Installing Metra Kit with Z110BT, failing miserably.. HELP!! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

JohnForeman · 04-24-2010, 04:28 PM

Ok Guy's,
Didn't think I was going to have any issues with this upgrade but I just spent 4 hours hooking eveything up and It's not working properly.

1st - the Metra unit seemed to work. I didn't take the time to try everything since I was more concerned with the head unit. But I was able to control the fan, the temp, the zone output. I didn't try the seat heaters or the door locks. I did try the rear defrost and it didn't seem to show any little icon coming on or going off. I'll revisit that when I get the radio working.

2nd - In my factory unit, I have onstar and XM. I know I'm not supposed to lose that with the Metra but on my initial test run, I had no XM show up on the head unit. The head unit is a new AVIC Z110BT. I was able to get the radio to work but since I was not able to hook up the antenna, all I got was static. I was also not able to get the GPS to lock on my position until I hooked up the gps antenna that came with the radio. When I was playing with the gps, I was able to get it to talk but the volume was very low even when I had the setting full up.

Now for the questions.
I had two options when hooking up the metra kit, one for an amplified system and one without. I used the connections for the amplified system. was I wrong?

I have two what look to be standard antenna connections that hooked into the factory unit, can I assume one is for the am/fm and the other is gps? If my assumption is correct, then how do I tell the difference and where can I get connection adapters?

Can I use the built in GPS antenna?
Any idea on why my XM wasn't recognized?
I'm assuming I dont' have to hook up the mic that was supplied with the unit since I already have one built into the car, am I correct?

I'm done working on it for the day, so I'm all ears to anyone that is willing to help me along.

Thanks and sorry for such a long post.
-John

JohnForeman · 04-24-2010, 04:48 PM

more info.
When I did my testing, I didn't have the center console hooked back up so could that have anything to do with the system not seeing the xm?
-John

Danny Thomas · 04-24-2010, 05:31 PM

oem xm will not work with new system..u with have to buy module and run antenna and contact xm for new unit.

monstertodd · 04-25-2010, 12:24 PM

XM/Sirius accounts go by radio ID's. And since you changed your radio ID, your XM isn't going to work on your new head unit, until you call XM and change your radio ID.......assuming your new head unit is XM capable of course.

JohnForeman · 04-25-2010, 01:25 PM

I wasn't sure on the xm. My 06 300C SRT8 had the xm as a seperate module. When the factory head unit was stolen, XM picked up without the need to reactivate with a new ID since it was held within the module itself.
Anyone have any input on if my factory unit has a separate amp or any input on the antenna question?
thanks
-John

CamaroGeek · 04-26-2010, 08:32 AM

John,
Danny Thomas is correct, OE XM is lost when the radio is pulled. You will need an aftermarket XM tuner compatible with your new radio.

There are two antennas at the back of the radio. One is the AM/FM antenna, which you should connect to the new radio using a Metra 40-EU10 adaptor. The second is an XM antenna, and may be usable for your new XM tuner, although you might need to mod the connector slightly if the keys don't line up. You cannot use this antenna for GPS.

The kit will detect if there is an amp. If you wire it as if you have an OE amp and you don't, the performance will suffer. A good way to check if there is an amp is to listen for relay clicks from the kit (the large black box) when going into and out of OnStar or BT. If you hear clicks, there is no amp. If you don't, there is an amp. Wire accordingly.

You can also look at the RPO codes in the glove box (I think). Cars with a UQA code have amps. Cars with UQ3 might, but I don't think so.

As for the mic, it can be used for OnStar or OE Bluetooth, nothing else.

mrray13 · 04-26-2010, 12:39 PM

Also, to tell if you have an amped system, answer this question, does your car have the Boston Acoustics system? If it does, it's amped, if it doesn't, it's not.

DJ D-REK · 05-11-2010, 05:31 PM

I had my Metra kit installed at a local shop it sounds terrible I get no sound until volume is up at 8 and then at 40 the speakers are popping and buzzing I have the Avic x920bt for a headunit I like it just lost way to much sound any ideas on how to correct it

2010 SSRS · 05-11-2010, 06:36 PM

that sux

CamaroGeek · 05-12-2010, 07:56 AM

DJ D-REK - BA system or no?

DJ D-REK · 05-12-2010, 06:01 PM

BA

thespymaster · 05-12-2010, 09:20 PM

I can't answer all the questions, but I will start with I have the same set-up , METRA + AVIC Z110BT and have no issues.

First, if your using the factory speakers , etc, then you should have chosen NON AMPLIFIED (unless you have the MTX upgrade system?)

Secondly, to get XM to WORK, you had to buy the ADD-ON module for the Z110BT that would allow the XM to work. Then all you had to do is switch accounts from the factory XM to the XM receiver for the Z110BT.

Now, I got my system PROFESSIONALLY installed, but hope the above helps~!

Alfieboy · 05-13-2010, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ D-REK

I had my Metra kit installed at a local shop it sounds terrible I get no sound until volume is up at 8 and then at 40 the speakers are popping and buzzing I have the Avic x920bt for a headunit I like it just lost way to much sound any ideas on how to correct it

BUT yo already HAVE A post EARLIER REGARDING THIS ISSUE.. ADDING THE THING AGAIN HERE OVER TOP SOMEONES POST IS SURE TO MAKE A MESS OUT OF EVERYTHING..

THATS MY OPINION

FOR YOU: TAKE IT BACK TO THE "AWESOME" INSTALLER...

CamaroGeek · 05-13-2010, 08:09 AM

The most likely problem is that the system gain adjustment potentiometer is not set correctly. There are two pots on the Metra interface. The one closer to the corner of the box sets system gain, and the other sets chime and turn tick volume. When using an amplified system (BA), you should first adjust the system gain, then set the chime volume. If the system gain is set too low, the volume will be very low and you will hear distortion when the head unit is turned way up, but not much volume.
For non-amplified systems, turn the chime pot all the way up (which is fully CCW), then adjust the system gain with the chime sounding until you like the volume of the chime.
Make sense?

04-24-2010, 04:28 PM	#1
JohnForeman Drives: 2010 2SSRS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 121	Installing Metra Kit with Z110BT, failing miserably.. HELP!! Ok Guy's, Didn't think I was going to have any issues with this upgrade but I just spent 4 hours hooking eveything up and It's not working properly. 1st - the Metra unit seemed to work. I didn't take the time to try everything since I was more concerned with the head unit. But I was able to control the fan, the temp, the zone output. I didn't try the seat heaters or the door locks. I did try the rear defrost and it didn't seem to show any little icon coming on or going off. I'll revisit that when I get the radio working. 2nd - In my factory unit, I have onstar and XM. I know I'm not supposed to lose that with the Metra but on my initial test run, I had no XM show up on the head unit. The head unit is a new AVIC Z110BT. I was able to get the radio to work but since I was not able to hook up the antenna, all I got was static. I was also not able to get the GPS to lock on my position until I hooked up the gps antenna that came with the radio. When I was playing with the gps, I was able to get it to talk but the volume was very low even when I had the setting full up. Now for the questions. I had two options when hooking up the metra kit, one for an amplified system and one without. I used the connections for the amplified system. was I wrong? I have two what look to be standard antenna connections that hooked into the factory unit, can I assume one is for the am/fm and the other is gps? If my assumption is correct, then how do I tell the difference and where can I get connection adapters? Can I use the built in GPS antenna? Any idea on why my XM wasn't recognized? I'm assuming I dont' have to hook up the mic that was supplied with the unit since I already have one built into the car, am I correct? I'm done working on it for the day, so I'm all ears to anyone that is willing to help me along. Thanks and sorry for such a long post. -John __________________ 2010 2SSRSA6 - GFX 35% Window Tint 93 Octane Diablo Predator Tune

04-24-2010, 04:48 PM	#2
JohnForeman Drives: 2010 2SSRS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 121	more info. When I did my testing, I didn't have the center console hooked back up so could that have anything to do with the system not seeing the xm? -John __________________ 2010 2SSRSA6 - GFX 35% Window Tint 93 Octane Diablo Predator Tune

04-25-2010, 01:25 PM	#5
JohnForeman Drives: 2010 2SSRS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 121	I wasn't sure on the xm. My 06 300C SRT8 had the xm as a seperate module. When the factory head unit was stolen, XM picked up without the need to reactivate with a new ID since it was held within the module itself. Anyone have any input on if my factory unit has a separate amp or any input on the antenna question? thanks -John __________________ 2010 2SSRSA6 - GFX 35% Window Tint 93 Octane Diablo Predator Tune

05-11-2010, 06:36 PM	#9
2010 SSRS Drives: 3 V8 Camaros Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Ocean State Posts: 111,186 View My Garage	that sux __________________ Jannetty Racing JRE Street Package

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04-24-2010, 05:31 PM	#3
Danny Thomas Drives: 67 RS, 81 Turbo TA, 2010 ABM 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pigeon Forge Posts: 212	oem xm will not work with new system..u with have to buy module and run antenna and contact xm for new unit.

04-25-2010, 12:24 PM	#4
monstertodd Drives: 2010 Cyber Grey Metallic 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tega Cay, South Carolina Posts: 4,032 View My Garage	XM/Sirius accounts go by radio ID's. And since you changed your radio ID, your XM isn't going to work on your new head unit, until you call XM and change your radio ID.......assuming your new head unit is XM capable of course.

04-26-2010, 08:32 AM	#6
CamaroGeek Drives: 2010 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 84	John, Danny Thomas is correct, OE XM is lost when the radio is pulled. You will need an aftermarket XM tuner compatible with your new radio. There are two antennas at the back of the radio. One is the AM/FM antenna, which you should connect to the new radio using a Metra 40-EU10 adaptor. The second is an XM antenna, and may be usable for your new XM tuner, although you might need to mod the connector slightly if the keys don't line up. You cannot use this antenna for GPS. The kit will detect if there is an amp. If you wire it as if you have an OE amp and you don't, the performance will suffer. A good way to check if there is an amp is to listen for relay clicks from the kit (the large black box) when going into and out of OnStar or BT. If you hear clicks, there is no amp. If you don't, there is an amp. Wire accordingly. You can also look at the RPO codes in the glove box (I think). Cars with a UQA code have amps. Cars with UQ3 might, but I don't think so. As for the mic, it can be used for OnStar or OE Bluetooth, nothing else.

04-26-2010, 12:39 PM	#7
mrray13 Drives: 2010 1LT RS Rally Yellow Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: southern Illinois Posts: 2,973	Also, to tell if you have an amped system, answer this question, does your car have the Boston Acoustics system? If it does, it's amped, if it doesn't, it's not.

05-11-2010, 05:31 PM	#8
DJ D-REK Drives: 2010 Black Camaro 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Brunswick Ga Posts: 100	I had my Metra kit installed at a local shop it sounds terrible I get no sound until volume is up at 8 and then at 40 the speakers are popping and buzzing I have the Avic x920bt for a headunit I like it just lost way to much sound any ideas on how to correct it

05-12-2010, 07:56 AM	#10
CamaroGeek Drives: 2010 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 84	DJ D-REK - BA system or no?

05-12-2010, 06:01 PM	#11
DJ D-REK Drives: 2010 Black Camaro 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Brunswick Ga Posts: 100	BA

05-12-2010, 09:20 PM	#12
thespymaster Drives: C7 / ZL1 / SS / trucsk Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: G4 CLASSIFIED Posts: 4,528 View My Garage	I can't answer all the questions, but I will start with I have the same set-up , METRA + AVIC Z110BT and have no issues. First, if your using the factory speakers , etc, then you should have chosen NON AMPLIFIED (unless you have the MTX upgrade system?) Secondly, to get XM to WORK, you had to buy the ADD-ON module for the Z110BT that would allow the XM to work. Then all you had to do is switch accounts from the factory XM to the XM receiver for the Z110BT. Now, I got my system PROFESSIONALLY installed, but hope the above helps~!

05-13-2010, 08:09 AM	#14
CamaroGeek Drives: 2010 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 84	The most likely problem is that the system gain adjustment potentiometer is not set correctly. There are two pots on the Metra interface. The one closer to the corner of the box sets system gain, and the other sets chime and turn tick volume. When using an amplified system (BA), you should first adjust the system gain, then set the chime volume. If the system gain is set too low, the volume will be very low and you will hear distortion when the head unit is turned way up, but not much volume. For non-amplified systems, turn the chime pot all the way up (which is fully CCW), then adjust the system gain with the chime sounding until you like the volume of the chime. Make sense?