i found something interesting ...

[Scooter18155]

Originally Posted by horizon670

Yes, I tried reconnecting the original radio and the noise went away.

The installer explains it's because we are using the Low signal output with the RCAs, that's why it's picking up noise with the new Android unit.

Will double check the connections again.
I'm almost 100% sure it's the Android unit because that noise starts as soon as we plug any of the 4 speakers, doesn't matter if front or rear...

Something just seems odd to me some had this issue some don't with the RCA plugs. Makes me wonder if gm changed something and certain year cars it works and other years it doesn't. The same reasoning which makes me wonder if its bad connections or poor RCA plugs. I just think there's some little tidbit of info nobody figured out that holding the answer back. Probably something minor never figured to consider. Something like model years a certain option in cars maybe even coupe or vert or maybe certain option with the android system too. I wonder if maybe external mic that came on newer models? The mic always on giving distortion in sound?

[Scooter18155]

If you look at bottom of this pic you will see microphone slots. If I read correctly older models didnt have this. They had to use thier phones to talk into. I believe they added this into newer models. Maybe that causing distortion if its always on. Might have to contact lim and ask him if that mic is constantly on and ask how to set it so it only comes on for phone.

[horizon670]

I don't think it's the Microphone. Yes, my unit has that Mic but did not hear that scratching noise only after I switched to the RCA connection.
The noise was not there before when I was using the provided harnesses.
If it was the MIC then we would have heard it even before.

[Scooter18155]

Originally Posted by horizon670

I don't think it's the Microphone. Yes, my unit has that Mic but did not hear that scratching noise only after I switched to the RCA connection.
The noise was not there before when I was using the provided harnesses.
If it was the MIC then we would have heard it even before.

That makes sense anyways. Didn't realize you had it hooked up the other way. From what I've read the rca plug mod was suggested for Boston acoustics systems and figured if you had the sound system didn't bother with normal hookup. What did it do with the normal hookup that made you add the rca plugs? I don't have a system installed in my car yet so I don't have a lot of experience with it. But I was intending on doing the rca plugs myself as I have ba system in my 2010 ss. When I get the system home and get a chance to install it I'll see if I can figure out what is causing it take step by step instructions on what I do to see if I have problems and compare what I did to what others have done. I have noticed instructions on installing this thing are non existent lim should make and include a step by step instruction manual for installation. I am no expert but I generally very good with figuring out electronics and computers and what causing problems.

[horizon670]

The reason I switched to the RCA connection is because the sound volume was way too high, the new head unit was amplifying already the sound before going to the BA Amp so every time I turned the volume to just first click, the sound was too loud. I tried to play with all different settings... It was suggested to use the RCAs.

[Scooter18155]

Originally Posted by horizon670

The reason I switched to the RCA connection is because the sound volume was way too high, the new head unit was amplifying already the sound before going to the BA Amp so every time I turned the volume to just first click, the sound was too loud. I tried to play with all different settings... It was suggested to use the RCAs.

Hmmm that's what I thought I read. I wonder if there's a simple way to bypass the ba amp basically unplug it so the radio just goes to speakers. I never looked at the amp but perhapse that's easier solution then the RCA plugs. So basically leave the radio harness original no RCA plugs and disconnect wires from the ba amp. Might have to hook wires from amp plug to go to the speakers but that shouldn't be too hard to do.

[Yippee38]

My main objection to this stereo was that the steering wheel controls did not allow you to make a call. I opted to get a Pioneer AVIC 8000NEX instead.

It doesn't make a call with the steering wheel buttons either. The steering wheel buttons control the OnStar functions (at least the call and hang-up buttons do). So you can use that button to make a call via OnStar, or via the cell phone antenna in your OnStar box. That's it.

Not a big deal, but I thought I'd share that info.

[Scooter18155]

Originally Posted by Yippee38

My main objection to this stereo was that the steering wheel controls did not allow you to make a call. I opted to get a Pioneer AVIC 8000NEX instead.

It doesn't make a call with the steering wheel buttons either. The steering wheel buttons control the OnStar functions (at least the call and hang-up buttons do). So you can use that button to make a call via OnStar, or via the cell phone antenna in your OnStar box. That's it.

Not a big deal, but I thought I'd share that info.

If you read the thread on disabling onstar you will see you lose Bluetooth function with phone if you disable onstar. Onstar is somehow connected to phone use etc so I'm thinking if the radio doesn't jive with onstar your situation might be quite accurate. I'm no expert but the steering wheel controls may only work with original radios that came in our cars unless they make aftermarket radios that work with the onstar system. That is a good question to ask as I don't recall reading info on that when installing aftermarket radios. I wouldn't even thought about what your saying if you wasn't bringing it up. I don't worry about it as I don't talk on the phone much anyways.

[Yippee38]

The original radio isn't required at all. I can connect my phone to my OnStar modules (It's shown as "My Vehicle" on my car) and to my AVIC 8000NEX. If I connect to the My Vehicle, I can still make a phone call, even though the original stereo is gone and I have the Pioneer installed. It doesn't go through the head unit. It goes through OnStar. Of course, if I connect to AVIC 8000NEX, the call goes through the head unit (at least the bluetooth part does - the phone actually does the dialing and connects).

My main gripe with the original stereo (but now I know that it was really with OnStar) is that it doesn't do voice recognition worth a damn. It doesn't recognize any name I say, and most times I have to say the phone number 3-5 times before it understands it correctly, even if I'm speaking slowly and very clearly. I drove a Buick Verano (2014) that had MyLink, and it worked MUCH better. I could say a name followed by "cell" or "home" and it would recognize it. I wonder if the newer vehicles use a different OnStar module, or if there's any way to update the OnStar. Doesn't matter anymore for me though. The Pioneer unit does a good job recognizing my voice. OnStar doesn't.

It's not a huge deal, but it's good info to know.

[Scooter18155]

Yes it is I tried voice recognition myself and didn't have much luck either but I've had phones the same way try talking to it and it always gets it wrong so I don't bother with it.

[GetYouOne]

Did u upgrade the Onstar module with the new AVIC8000?

Originally Posted by Yippee38

The original radio isn't required at all. I can connect my phone to my OnStar modules (It's shown as "My Vehicle" on my car) and to my AVIC 8000NEX. If I connect to the My Vehicle, I can still make a phone call, even though the original stereo is gone and I have the Pioneer installed. It doesn't go through the head unit. It goes through OnStar. Of course, if I connect to AVIC 8000NEX, the call goes through the head unit (at least the bluetooth part does - the phone actually does the dialing and connects).

My main gripe with the original stereo (but now I know that it was really with OnStar) is that it doesn't do voice recognition worth a damn. It doesn't recognize any name I say, and most times I have to say the phone number 3-5 times before it understands it correctly, even if I'm speaking slowly and very clearly. I drove a Buick Verano (2014) that had MyLink, and it worked MUCH better. I could say a name followed by "cell" or "home" and it would recognize it. I wonder if the newer vehicles use a different OnStar module, or if there's any way to update the OnStar. Doesn't matter anymore for me though. The Pioneer unit does a good job recognizing my voice. OnStar doesn't.

It's not a huge deal, but it's good info to know.

[Scooter18155]

Just wanted to post this found it in this thread claims he didn't do RCA mod due to a option in some sort of settings for amplifier.

[Scooter18155]

I'm going to install mine and try to figure that out first. If no luck there I'm going to try eliminate my ba amp ( depending on how easy it is to do I'm not hacking up my wiring harness) if these options fail I'm going to try RCA plugs. I'm a little nervous doing the RCA plugs if others having issues with it. It will be a while untill I mess with this installation but when I do if I get a clean install without noise you guys are describing ill post up how I did it.

People need to read all 50 something pages of this when installing this thing there seems to be tidbits scattered throughout the entire thread relating to fixing certain issues.

[Scooter18155]

I just somewhat installed the radio (mostly for testing purposes at this point) got the radio working and the radio didn't seem too loud to me. I didn't think of trying the CD player. I did not do the rca plug mod I want to try see what works without doing that if I can. Haven't looked into settings yet to see if there is an on and off switch for amplifier. I seen in previous post someone mentioned there being one. Maybe sence mine is used someone already did that I won't know until I look into it more. But I got to install cameras etc yet so it might be a few days.