max6spd said:
So, for the non-RF owners, would it be safe to say that we can take the navi's VSS wire and plug it into pin #6?
Negative. I inquired about that and was instucted that it would not work. I know that the instrument cluster is actually the location that the CAN signal is converted to a usable ac signal for the RF radio, so that would make sense. But, there must be something different with the cluster on the models that do have the RF radio upgrade. Of course, the information that is available to my source is based on some source he has that supplies the electrical breakdown for every available vehicle on the market. He explains that it's like having the service manual for every production vehicle. They will acquire a couple vehicles for testing for each production year of makes and models... but explains that it is not cost effective to test each trim package for all of them. Sooo, since the SE's come with RF radios and the S (and X) does not, and those happen to be the ones they tested...it is possible that the #6 pin on an OR model may work since that, I believe, is the only model that has either radio package available. But, like I said, I haven't checked for myself. Could someone with an OR with the RF radio upgrade tell me if the cluster has the trip computer also? I wonder if it has anything to do with that?
Does the RF have the feature where as you drive faster, the stereo gets louder? I'm wondering what that light blue wire does.
That's exactly what it's for. I don't have the RF system, nor have I messed with it, but a lot of makes that offer this feature will have multiple sensitivity settings which will change how much the volume will actually change with your speed. But, this is where it gets the speed info, and is a common place to grab the vss signal. With a handful of exceptions, if you see a SSVC on a radio, you'll usually find the vss wire behind the deck.
Multiplexed signals are a cool concept, but makes it harder or at least more expensive to install aftermarket equipment. Those of you who also have a 2002-3+ GM vehicle and went to change the radio out know what I mean. There is no switched power, that annoying ding for the key sense and the lights on comes through the driver side speaker (through the radio). You either have to relocate the factory deck with a T harness or buy an interface module(at least 50 bucks) that is designed to complete the data circuit so that you don't lose features running on this circuit, which include airbag functions. Some functions, on the brand new ones, won't even work with the interface module (software upgrade will be needed at some point) like the trip computer... the new grand prix comes to mind.