The Great HU Install of 2023

I wouldn’t t-tap those wires. Could cause a break jeopardizing the OBD port.

 

t-tap? just cut and wire nut them like a professional.

 

I would likely unpin it from the OBD connector and solder the brown wire directly to the existing wire.

 

OBD extension cable and tap into that? Leave OEM alone

 

What do you mean by extension cable?

 

Something like this. Strip it back.. there should be wires you can tap into. I would stay away from the ribbon cable versions as the wires would be pretty thing

 

I'm not worried about tapping the OEM wires, just wanted to be sure they're just simple automotive wires and not something more complex.

 

Finally getting back to this after @wackyhacky asked about updates on the other thread.

The TL;DR on getting OTA updates to work is restarting the head unit AFTER enabling the wifi connection to check for them.

Details:

• Turn your truck on to ACC and head to Settings once the radio is up and running
• You'll go to the System tab and then down to the bottom option About/Software Update:
  
  
• Tap Over-The-Air Software Update and Connect
  
  
• Add your wifi network if you haven't already and connect, then tap Yes to connect and disable your CarPlay/AA connections:
  
  
• This is where you'll need to turn the truck/radio off for about 30 seconds, then turn it back on. It's important to give it about 30 seconds, as the HU doesn't fully power off right away.
  • I recommend starting the engine and leaving the truck running for the next steps
• Now go back to Settings>System>About/Software Update and tap Over-The-Air Software Update. If there's one available to download, you'll get the prompt to download and install. If you're up to date, you'll see this:
  
  
• The update will take a good while to download and install, around 10-15 mins if I remember correctly. Don't turn off the power or anything while this is going.
• Once complete, you'll need to set the Wifi back to Phone Link Mode; Settings>Device>Wi-Fi:
  
  
• Tap Wi-Fi Mode and select Phone Link Mode
  
  
• Tap Yes
  
  
• You're now back in Phone Link Mode and can select your phone to reconnect in the Device menu
  

 

Any noticeable changes

 

Would have been a whole lot more fun if fire was involved though

 

I'm just hoping you had the garage door while you sat there with the engine running and the update was applying

 

That is definitely the most underrated feature update

 

Yeah, that was super annoying!

 

The main thing I’ve noticed is that my phone and remote volume knob both stay connected a little better than before. Not much else has changed.

 

are you trying to give me an aneurysm?

 

Got my Alpine installed tonight. I'm probably missing something but I have a couple of issues.

1. I'm not able to access the vehicle info screen. It's not an option on the home screen.

2. Most of the sound comes from the dash speakers. Barely anything coming out of the doors or sub. Running RCAs to a JL amp, then connected to door speakers using an adapter harness. Sub connected directly to amp.

Ideas?

 

Edit: I just re-read your first bullet and I don’t think this applies as written. But I’ll leave it anyway. Are you using the Maestro RR with the OBD2 connector?

For your first issue, you either need to engage the parking brake (obviously while not moving) or install the VIM bypass. Assuming that you wired the parking brake trigger wire to the head unit, you can access the settings only while the parking brake is on. You might need to do an engage, disengage, engage again routine for it. I went the VIM bypass route and can access the settings (and video playback features…) without the previously mentioned steps.

For your second issue, I’d recommend disconnecting the dash speakers from the wiring harness. Your HUs built in amp is running those and your aftermarket amp is running the rest. You could probably get away with messing with your amp gains, but the stock speakers are crap. Unless you’re still using the stock door speakers, then we’ve got a whole different conversation to have.

 

I'm using the AX-TRIG1 bypass.

I upgraded speakers years ago from JRT. As for disconnecting the dash speakers.... I'll do that once the doors and sub start working. Right now, there's not much noise from the doors, even when turned way up.

 

My amp settings:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/x4dg4TbhNp95ymmq8

 

Your input sensitivity looks real low across the board. Are they set to min? I had to tweak mine quite a bit after switching from my Kenwood to the Alpine. Might be worth reaching out to JRT to see what he recommends, but I’m guessing those settings need some tuning.

 

I didn't touch them today. Set it according to JRT's recommendations when installed several years ago.

 

What are you using for the radio interface module though? iDataLink Maestro RR? Crux swc module? Nothing at all? You need something between your stereo and truck to get vehicle info fed into the HU.

 

Maestro RR2. The RR2 instructions showed only 1 wire connected to the OBD2 port, so I spliced that into the factory wiring. I confirmed the OBD2 port is still working after the splice with a scan tool.

I got the speakers working. The input sensitivity was turned all the way down... somehow.

 

Any suggestions for #1? The steering wheel controls work as configured in the RR2 (based on another post, this should be coming from the OBD connection). I used the attached diagram.

EDIT...not sure it matters, but I flashed the RR2 after everything was connected and installed. The Alpine didn't turn on until after the flash was complete.

In lieu of using the "OBDII" connector, I tapped the red/gray wire into the brown wire on pin 2 of the OBDII harness. To mitigate concerns that the splice messed something up, I successfully tested the OBDII port using a scan tool after the splice, so it should be receiving a signal.

The braided red/yellow wires in the diagram (from the OBDII connector) are labeled "NC" so I assume that means they're not used per another post in this thread.

The diagram shows 4 connections on the RR2. All four are connected.

The "Vehicle Info" icon is not showing on the home screen. This is what it should look like: