Metra Radio Adapter Kits

[JimG]

Got a new radio for my dad's '02 Chevy Impala from Crutchfield. As a result, I had to purchase the required adapter kit to retain the warning chimes and Retained Accessory Power otherwise Crutchfield will not support the install of the radio.

 

Ok, so the radio installed fine, done several radios so there's nothing new here except this Metra adapter. Wired that as per the diagram (+12V constant, switched ignition and ground). Reconnect the battery, open the door, chimes go off. Good! Radio works great. Little problem: Car won't start.

 

So 3 hours of troubleshooting, PCM re-learn procedures, and swearing the car still doesn't start. So, out of desparation, I disconnect the Metra adapter. Car starts! Reconnect Metra adapter -- car doesn't start! Crutchfield RA'ed the thing, sent me a new one. The new one's causing the same problem - the car does not start if the adapter is connected.

 

Anyone else have this problem with a vehicle? There's nothing wrong with the car ... but I can't figure out what this stupid adapter is doing to make the car not start. I suspect it's screwing with the BCM but without appropriate tools I can't prove it.

[masterp2]

can you provide a link to the adapter

[JimG]

Sure -

 

Radio installed: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-uwyVbAmdS5M/c...30dehp370&wm=su

 

Metra adapter: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-uwyVbAmdS5M/c...asp?i=120GMRC01

[masterp2]

its an adapter for a class II data bus, I believe classII is an 03 and newer protocol.

 

There's your problem

[masterp2]

looks like crutch may have an eeror in its database.

 

Look up any other 02 vehicle. i am pretty sure that's it.

[BBSilverado]

Some 02's do have the classII databus. The Trailblazer's do, the Monts Carlo's do,

I don't know if the Impala's do.

[JimG]

Spoke with GMTech about the original problem with my dad's car (radio was going bad) - from our discussion he said that this radio was a "VIN-learning" type - that would indicate class II.

See the thread here: http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=43152

 

Edit - the directions provided with the unit state that it works on 2000-2004 Chevy Impalas.

[masterp2]

sorry I couldn't be more help

[JimG]

It's cool - thanks for the help.

I wish it was a problem like that . . . it would explain a lot.

[masterp2]

I would just get busy with a continuity tester, and see if all the leads are correct.

 

could be a production run issue. should be easy enough. I wonder where the speaker draws it's power.

 

if all continuity checks out, maybe pull the speaker off and see if it starts.

[masterp2]

http://forum.sounddomain.com/forum/ultimat...=55;t=025769;p=

 

good information here

[JimG]

Thanks -

The tech at Crutchfield hinted at the whole relocate-the-radio idea. Spoke with him again today. They sent me the full description pinout of the radio connector and asked that I verify their pinout against the car's actual connector. They think the pinout may have been changed mid-year or something and that's screwing things up ... like grounding the entire class 2 databus.