"How to" alternative iPod install for Monsoon radios
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 174
From: Medicine Hat, AB
I took pics when wiring up the AUX-3 harness if anyone needs them. The written instructions leave a little to be desired. FYI you don't need whatever special tool that is for the crimp connections. I just used a small needle nose plier to fold over the tabs then put a dab of solder on it and it worked fine.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,652
cant resist
i read this again and im looking at adding the jack,this way;
when the usb subject comes up,,,i have 2 old $79 walmart radios,remove faceplate,remote control,AND not just usb, but an sd card slot and an input jack!
they must be 12 years old!, VR3 was ths name.
the remote would control my mp3 player plugged in the usb port.! the mp3 is older yet,,where was gm ,,sleeping??
im looking at putting that radio in my h3, and ill have half the space left for my ham rig faceplate.
i have a gmos o4 and trust it will work,?? accepting all advice.
when the usb subject comes up,,,i have 2 old $79 walmart radios,remove faceplate,remote control,AND not just usb, but an sd card slot and an input jack!
they must be 12 years old!, VR3 was ths name.
the remote would control my mp3 player plugged in the usb port.! the mp3 is older yet,,where was gm ,,sleeping??
im looking at putting that radio in my h3, and ill have half the space left for my ham rig faceplate.
i have a gmos o4 and trust it will work,?? accepting all advice.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 12
From: St. Louis, MO
My H3 has a Monsoon radio/amp with a 6 CD changer and XM receiver. I wanted a way to use my iPod and Blackberry without loosing any of my other radio capabilities. In doing my research, I found that the Monsoon option on my radio limited my choices.
The GM Personal Audio Link (PAL) is an expensive option, but will allow the radio to control the iPod. All other aftermarket PAL's list the Monsoon option as unsupported. When I checked with a couple of the aftermarket tech support teams they noted that their PAL's leave power to the Monsoon amp and can drain the battery. Note that members of this forum have installed these aftermarket PAL's with Monsoon systems and reported no issues. I chose not to go this route.
In doing a forum search, I have also seen that it is rather easy to cut into the factory wiring harness and splice into the XM receiver lines to allow the iPod or other device to play through the sound system. Since I did not want to alter my harness, this was also not an option for me.
I found a link that talked about a guy (Ray) on the Vett forum that was making pig tail harness with all of the correct connectors so that the harness could be removed if needed. This option also did not require me to loose my XM receiver. I liked the thought of this so I reached out to Ray to see if this pig tail would work on the H3. Ray was not sure, so I provided him with both pictures and a copy of the H3 plug pin outs. Turns out the H3 are not the same as the C6 Vett. I requested Ray to make a pig tail harness for me using the H3 wiring. He did and it works well. The cost was $75 +S&H of $5 for a total of $80. It was a very quick install and would have been quicker had I either just drilled a hole for the jack in the console or went with the extended plug and dropped it through the gap in the bottom of the console. I chose to install the jack in one of the block out plates that are normally used for off road light switches. It looked like a no brainier until I started to drill the 15/64 hole for the jack. Turns out the jack threads are short and I had to cut most of the inter section of the block out plate with a Dremil tool. This left the blank very thin and the hole slightly off center. I also added a removable stand/holder (I sometimes park is high crime areas) $20 and charger $10. This brought my totals to $110, right in the same price range as some of the aftermarket PAL's. The difference is I don't have to worry if my battery is going to drain.
Below are the simple installation steps:
Note, if you don't like my dash console, please keep it to yourself, I do.
Insert your two fingers into the outlets and pull. This will pull the first couple of clips out and allow you to work your way around the panel clips
Unplug all connectors and remove the dash console.
The simple pig tail harness with the jack option.
A shot of the switch block out plate I wanted to install the jack through. View is from behind
Jack installed. View from back of dash console
View from the front (note a little off center)
Aftermarket iPod charger
Pig tail harness installed
Everything back in place and removable holder in place
Note that when you first start the H3, the climate control system will blink in self test mode. If everything is plugged back in correctly this will stop in about 30 seconds.
Also note that in order to play my iPod or put my Blackberry in speaker mode, my radio needs to be in XM mode and the jack must be plugged in. To listen to my XM all I need to do is unplug the jack. I have to control the iPod from the iPod itself.
I am quite happy with this system and it is working quite well for me.
Ray's contact information:
Ray Kawal
268 Lakeview Drive
Sequim, WA 98382
(360) 683-3027
Ray's Vett web site:
C6 Product Ordering Page
(Note: Ray will be traveling starting January 10th 2012 and unable to make up harness for five weeks)
Bill
The GM Personal Audio Link (PAL) is an expensive option, but will allow the radio to control the iPod. All other aftermarket PAL's list the Monsoon option as unsupported. When I checked with a couple of the aftermarket tech support teams they noted that their PAL's leave power to the Monsoon amp and can drain the battery. Note that members of this forum have installed these aftermarket PAL's with Monsoon systems and reported no issues. I chose not to go this route.
In doing a forum search, I have also seen that it is rather easy to cut into the factory wiring harness and splice into the XM receiver lines to allow the iPod or other device to play through the sound system. Since I did not want to alter my harness, this was also not an option for me.
I found a link that talked about a guy (Ray) on the Vett forum that was making pig tail harness with all of the correct connectors so that the harness could be removed if needed. This option also did not require me to loose my XM receiver. I liked the thought of this so I reached out to Ray to see if this pig tail would work on the H3. Ray was not sure, so I provided him with both pictures and a copy of the H3 plug pin outs. Turns out the H3 are not the same as the C6 Vett. I requested Ray to make a pig tail harness for me using the H3 wiring. He did and it works well. The cost was $75 +S&H of $5 for a total of $80. It was a very quick install and would have been quicker had I either just drilled a hole for the jack in the console or went with the extended plug and dropped it through the gap in the bottom of the console. I chose to install the jack in one of the block out plates that are normally used for off road light switches. It looked like a no brainier until I started to drill the 15/64 hole for the jack. Turns out the jack threads are short and I had to cut most of the inter section of the block out plate with a Dremil tool. This left the blank very thin and the hole slightly off center. I also added a removable stand/holder (I sometimes park is high crime areas) $20 and charger $10. This brought my totals to $110, right in the same price range as some of the aftermarket PAL's. The difference is I don't have to worry if my battery is going to drain.
Below are the simple installation steps:
Note, if you don't like my dash console, please keep it to yourself, I do.
Insert your two fingers into the outlets and pull. This will pull the first couple of clips out and allow you to work your way around the panel clips
Unplug all connectors and remove the dash console.
The simple pig tail harness with the jack option.
A shot of the switch block out plate I wanted to install the jack through. View is from behind
Jack installed. View from back of dash console
View from the front (note a little off center)
Aftermarket iPod charger
Pig tail harness installed
Everything back in place and removable holder in place
Note that when you first start the H3, the climate control system will blink in self test mode. If everything is plugged back in correctly this will stop in about 30 seconds.
Also note that in order to play my iPod or put my Blackberry in speaker mode, my radio needs to be in XM mode and the jack must be plugged in. To listen to my XM all I need to do is unplug the jack. I have to control the iPod from the iPod itself.
I am quite happy with this system and it is working quite well for me.
Ray's contact information:
Ray Kawal
268 Lakeview Drive
Sequim, WA 98382
(360) 683-3027
Ray's Vett web site:
C6 Product Ordering Page
(Note: Ray will be traveling starting January 10th 2012 and unable to make up harness for five weeks)
Bill
Bill, I love your red dash you need to do mine in Blue thats sharp, I'm ordering one of Ray's Pal harnesses for 2007 H3. ToddVernon toddman26@sbcglobal.net
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13
Bill, I love your red dash you need to do mine in Blue thats sharp, I'm ordering one of Ray's Pal harnesses for 2007 H3. ToddVernon toddman26@sbcglobal.net
Just for clarification, the Version 2 PAL is not just a harness like the AUX-3 is. The AUX-3 harness allows you to substitute the audio from your music device for the audio from your XM receiver. That's all it does, and that may be enough for some owners.
The Version 2 PAL is a complete iPod interface for the GM radios, nav or non-Nav, allowing you control and searches of your iPod or iPhone music section using the radio controls, display of the music information including title and artist, and charging of the iPod or iPhone when the car is running. The Version 2 PAL also includes a selectable auxiliary in port for those who have other music devices or which to use the phone as somewhat of a handsfree device since you can hear the other end of the phone conversation through the audio system. For those owners with an iPod or an iPhone, the Version 2 PAL is a very nice solution.
I have a Version 2 PAL in my Z06 Corvette and my '06 GMC Sierra pickup. I use it with an iPod Nano for my music, but I use a Motorola Droid Razr for my smartphone. The Nano is inexpensive but it makes a great music storage device controlled by the PAL.
The Version 2 PAL includes the electronic PAL module, the installation harness, and the iPod cable necessary to connect the iPod or iPhone to the system. It is described in the top link of my main website:
C6 Corvette Modifications
For the Hummers, the AUX-3 harness is still a nice addition to the car, but the Version 2 PAL may interest others who want a more complete iPod interface.
Ray
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 163
From: Warminster,PA
Thanks, I'm happy with the look.
It was not the easiest part to wrap. The vinyl needs to stretch a little to fit the curves. This means you cannot use any water. I had to use a heat gun. Be sure to press the wrap into the seam between the vent and main areas or chances are you will get some lift.
It was not the easiest part to wrap. The vinyl needs to stretch a little to fit the curves. This means you cannot use any water. I had to use a heat gun. Be sure to press the wrap into the seam between the vent and main areas or chances are you will get some lift.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 12
From: St. Louis, MO
Thanks, I'm happy with the look.
It was not the easiest part to wrap. The vinyl needs to stretch a little to fit the curves. This means you cannot use any water. I had to use a heat gun. Be sure to press the wrap into the seam between the vent and main areas or chances are you will get some lift.
It was not the easiest part to wrap. The vinyl needs to stretch a little to fit the curves. This means you cannot use any water. I had to use a heat gun. Be sure to press the wrap into the seam between the vent and main areas or chances are you will get some lift.
Bill, where'd you find that vinyl wrap on ebay?
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 163
From: Warminster,PA
Yes, they have many different colors. Along with the center console, I did the vents, gauge cluster, shifter boot, rear cup holder and all of the window switches. It matches the seats well and I like it a lot.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13
C6 Corvette Modifications
Most Hummer owners have ordered the AUX-3 TRK harness since it's easy to get to your radio connectors.
You can find anything you need on the website, but email me at ray@kawal.net if you have more questions. There is an Ordering Page link at the bottom of the website.
Ray
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