PAC AAI-GM24 Auxilary Input Problem - Need help!

[Zing]

I installed the PAC AAI-GM24, everything went smoothly, radio works fine, plugged in my MP3 player and it doesn't play at all. I followed the intstructions and tried pressing "CD/Aux" once, then twice, then with the MP3 player on, then off...NOTHING!!!

I have the '04 radio with 6 CD changer, which is supposed to work.

And I thought the challenge was getting at the back of the radio (thanks Happy Jack and others for their posts on this, takes patience but a breeze).

[Zing]

I installed the PAC AAI-GM24, everything went smoothly, radio works fine, plugged in my MP3 player and it doesn't play at all. I followed the intstructions and tried pressing "CD/Aux" once, then twice, then with the MP3 player on, then off...NOTHING!!!

I have the '04 radio with 6 CD changer, which is supposed to work.

And I thought the challenge was getting at the back of the radio (thanks Happy Jack and others for their posts on this, takes patience but a breeze).

[TouchdownTN]

Called today to check on my AAI-GM24. The company forgot to enter my order in their computer. So now they are shipping it overnight. I should have it tomorrow (May 12), hope to install this weekend if not before. I am also adding the PAC interface that allows a aftermarket amp to the factory. Can you guys give me ideas on exactly where you stuck your interface box. I know it's a tight squeeze around the radio. I'm thinking both should fit on top of the radio between the front vents. I plan on wrapping them in foam to keep them from vibrating and rattling. BTW, Zing, I also have the scratched AC from previously trying to install the soundgate interface. Welcome to the club I'll let you guys know how it goes!

[Zing]

DONE...WOO HOO!!! And it works beautifully. I now have 100 CDs in my little MP3 player with me all the time and the sound quality equals that of the CD player.

Klaus, I have no idea how it works, but the radio does sense the auxilary channel (even if the mp3 player is off). I can access the auxilary either through the "band" or "cd/aux" buttons on the radio. No problems.

Here's a few tips I've learned for those installing this thing themselves.

1. For anyone new to this thread, here are the instructions Happy Jack posted on pulling the center console back and removing the dash cover. This was invaluable.

2. Once you get the dash cover off, put some masking tape over you A/C unit. The radio will hang down in the process and the edges are sharp. I scratched my the face of my A/C.

3. You need to solder on the yellow and black wires of the PAC unit to the corresponding wires going into the radio. If you look at the diagram on the instructions, this become very intuitive.

4. There are 2 ways to solder on the wires. One is to shave the rubber off the factor wire and solder on to it. The other way, which is Klaus's way, is pull the factor wire out of the plastic plug apparatus and solder onto the tip. So what you can do is take the smallest screw driver you can find (the kind to fix eyeglasses) and insert that into the plastic plug where the pin from the radio goes. When you push the screwdriver in deep enough, it deactivates a clip inside the plug and you can then easily pull the factory wire out from the other side. Then, you can solder your yellow and black wires onto the metal pin pieces at the end of the factory wires. Just be careful to not use too much solder and do it in a way that you can insert the metal piece back into the plastic plug. I had to use a file and file down some of the solder so I can get it back in, but this wasn't a big deal.

5. If you are not handy with a soldering iron, you might try those quick-connect wire splicers you can get a Radio Shack. I think you can get away with that, but I agree with Klaus, soldering is a more secure way to go.

6. Important: make sure you adjust the little input volume settings on the auxilary unit. The way mine was originally set, I would have to put my radio on "10" volume in order to play my mp3 player at the level I usually listen to. Then you know what happens when you switch over to radio at that volume.

7. After you solder the wires and clip on the auxilary and it all works, there's little space to slide the radio back in. I shoved the bunch of wires to the lower right where there's space, and hung the auxilary box over the left vent and down the left side where there's lots of space.

8. I taped some foam around the auxilary box so that it doesn't rattle or knock inside when I drive. I noticed GM does this everywhere inside on all it's wires and parts, which is why the H2 drives so quietly and knock-free.

9. You obviously need an adaptor for your mp3 player or whatever you are hooking up to the RCA plugs of the auxilary box. I found the perfect 4 foot wire at Radio Shack with 2 male RCA plugs on one end, and a male 1/8" stereo phone plug on the other for $6. I snaked that down and through the center console, then drilled a small hole in the compartment box and fed the wire into the box. I now keep my mp3 player stowed in the box when not using it, and keep it rested on top when I'm driving which is so convenient.

The whole job probably took me about 4 hours. But it's worth it. I have to say, I love having all my music at my finger tips. I don't think I've gotten this much personal satisfaction from a project like this in a long time.

[VU]

Thanks for the info, this helps my setup alot.

I am going to do the install this weekend, and I can't wait.

VU

[TouchdownTN]

The following is the reply that I got from PAC about the change on the AAI-GM24 adapter!

The new AAI-GM24 is not fully plug and play, but very easy to wire up. The
reason why we didn't make it plug and play is because we had two harnesses
the 24 pin and the 12pin. Well, the reason for the 24 pin harness was just
for getting power and ground to the unit and it became to be a bunch of
wires to stuff behind the radio. So, we eliminated the 24 pin harness and
all you have to wire is the constant wire and the ground wire to the factory
harness. Plug the 12 pin harness into the radio and your done, not very
difficult.

Thank you,
Joe Riggs
Tech Support

PAC
1502 S. Santa Fe St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
www.pac-audio.com
714-835-3022
800-854-3133

[jwm3]

1/4

[Zing]

Hey Klaus, stupid question...what exactly is a GM Class 2 Data Bus?

[Klaus]

You're going to need to reload and shoot that one by us again!

[TouchdownTN]

I almost ordered this unit on Friday and now I'm glad I didn't. If it isn't plug and play I don't want it. After my experience with the Soundgate adapter I only want something very simple to install. Please post to the board what you find out from PAC!

[Zing]

Thanks Klaus, very helpful. I'll let you know how it works out.

[jwm3]

4/4

[Klaus]

Zing,

Are there only 4 "loose" wires coming out of the adapter, as the instructions show?

[Zing]

I installed the PAC AAI-GM24, everything went smoothly, radio works fine, plugged in my MP3 player and it doesn't play at all. I followed the intstructions and tried pressing "CD/Aux" once, then twice, then with the MP3 player on, then off...NOTHING!!!

I have the '04 radio with 6 CD changer, which is supposed to work.

And I thought the challenge was getting at the back of the radio (thanks Happy Jack and others for their posts on this, takes patience but a breeze).

[Klaus]

For testing it would not matter. For permanent connection, I'd connect it to the 24 pin connector, pin B1, as shown in their instructions.

Maybe you can swap out this unit for the original version. Then it would be plug and play!

[Klaus]

The instructions are pitiful. It looks like PAC decided to save money on the plugs by making you figure out how to connect the wires to the 24 pin connector, as opposed to providing a plug-in solution like they did with the first version. Shame, shame...

Anyway, I had to solder wires to the 24 pin connector when I installed my 6 CD Changer. First, you need to remove the connector pin locks from the connector. I then used a mini screwdriver to extract the pins, one at the time, from the connector, then solder the wire to the "crimped" area of the existing pin. You have to be careful here, as too much heat will melt the existing wire, and too much solder will keep the pin from fitting/locking back into the connector. Then push the pin back into the connector until it locks. You might need to bend the locking tang of the pin back into shape before it will lock. Finally, re-assemble the connector pin locks.

Quick connects *might* work instead of soldering, but space behind the stereo when mounted might be an issue. I suppose you could unwrap some of the tape from the wiring to the 24 pin connector, to clamp the quick connector on the factory wire further away from the radio connector.

BTW – Be sure to disconnect the battery before doing any of this.

Good luck - Let us know how it goes...

[jwm3]

2/4

[Klaus]

Update on the Avalanche Forum:

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?board=160;action=display;threadid=24617; start=new

[Zing]

Here's the reply I got today from PAC technical support. I'll try again this weekend when I have time and let you know how it goes.

The yellow wire needs to be connected to a 12volt source on the factory 24 pin connector, and the black wire needs to be connected to ground. I sent the instructions and a pin diagram for you to look over. The radio will automatically recognize the unit, all you need to do is push the aux/cd button to access the auxiliaries.


Thank you,
Joe Riggs
Tech Support

PAC
1502 S. Santa Fe St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
www.pac-audio.com
714-835-3022
800-854-3133

[TouchdownTN]

Here are the pics after the installation of the AAI-GM24 and C2A-GM24. As you can tell not alot of difference. The cable for the Ipod that you see goes to a Belkin car charger with a mini-plug audio out. I have my Monster Cable plugged into this mini-plug and to the AAI-GM24. I ran the other aux in cable down the center console and it is tucked in behind the trim panel so I can get to it when I add the XM Roady or other Satellite Radio device. BTW, the cable for the Ipod is plugged into the rear driver's side power point and runs under the console up thorough the storage bin. We drilled a small hole for the cable to pass through. So when I take the Ipod out the cable is hidden. As far as the sub box, I just have to remove the speaker wire from the box and everything is back to factory again. I would really rather have the JL Audio stealthbox but don't feel like it is worth the money. Here are the pics