Am I to understand, that the PAL is not compatable with factory radios that DO NOT have XM.
No, the PAL is compatable with the factory radios that have XM. But, they must be re-programmed to re-enable XM after the PAL install. It is a quick re-program of the radio only that your GM service tech can do. This is because the PAL is interfaced as another XM band in the radio. So using the Band button on the radio cycles to the PAL and the XM every other time. ie...am...fm...xm...am...fm...PAL(XM 0)...am...fm...xm...etc...
The radio re-program is only required for PAL installs on a factory radio that has XM.
I never had XM anyway so i just installed it w/o using the Tech2, works fine. Also, the more I use it the more the controls make sense. The interface is actually one the best ones Ive ever used. Sound quality is great too, all my files are in apple lossless and while it seems to play a little bit quieter than most of my MP3 CDs, the sound quality is much better.
I highly recommend this to anyone who already has or is thinking about getting a ipod, I cant tell you how great it is to have 150+ gigs of music w/o having to change CDs.
I am still having issues with my PAL install. Yesterday, with the IPOD plugged in, but the Band selected to regular XM, it would stop playing XM and switch briefly to XM1 for the PAL interface then switch back to XM. It would happen every minute or so for a few seconds. The PAL would not actually start playing the IPOD. I unplugged the IPOD then this stopped happening.
Also the seek buttons on the steering wheel will switch to the next or previous tracks if you hold them down but quick pressing them does nothing. I thought that a quick press of the seek buttons on the steering wheel controls would work like switching the Band does on the radio buttons.
I asked the GM service tech that installed my radio if he did the XM reprogram and he said he did. He said he called GM tech support and they said the seek controls on the steering wheel are working as designed. He also said he did the wire splice as detailed in the installation instructions. I am starting tho think there is either a problem with the re=program or a problem with the PAL or a problem with the radio.
Anyone else seeing these issues with the PAL?
My wife loves her IPOD and custom play list music but does not want to have to actually push any buttons. So I bought some IPOD nano's and bascially use each as a 250 song playlist. She plugs one in and pushes play and is done. At $70 each its a whole lot easier for me to just charge them up every couple of days for her.
I use a video IPOD and plug it into the Aux port using a 2 foot cable that came with one of my HD TVs. Free in other words. I keep it in one of the pockets of the console bag and when I want to change playlist or album I can just grab it, pull it up by the wheel where I can see it easily and use its interface to navigate.
We have 6 IPODS and three Apple TVs running from my XP server currently so adding one or two more nano's is not a big deal.
She has one permanently installed in her Jeep that is just left on all the time. When she starts the car, the FM transitter comes on and she has ITUNES music playing. No buttons to push at all. LOL
Also the seek buttons on the steering wheel will switch to the next or previous tracks if you hold them down but quick pressing them does nothing. I thought that a quick press of the seek buttons on the steering wheel controls would work like switching the Band does on the radio buttons.
On mine, a quick press on the buttons will change bands(XM1,FM1,FM2, etc.), a long press will advance to the next track until I choose a search method(If I choose artist itll go to the next artist, album will go to the next album, etc.) If I was you Id try a different ipod first and if the problems persisted Id ask the dealer to change out the PAL module.
I used to use the aux input but wasnt pleased w/ the sound quality so them I started making MP3 CDs, but once i started putting enough music on a CD to make using a MP3CD worthwile the sound quality suffered. Now I have over 5000 tracks of CD quality music at my fingertips w/o having to plug anything in or even change CDs.
Thanks DugsGMs. I thought that is how it is supposed to work. Of course the service tech at my dealer did not have a clue and it was his first install.
I have the new IPOD Classic 80GB, I will have to try to find someone with another IPOD.
I ordered it through Center Chevrolt there on E street but that was the "good guy" price, Im not sure what retail would be. Got it today, looks like itll be really easy to do. I plan on doing it this weekend or Monday, if anyone is interested Ill take pics of the install.
Something else interesting is the fact that the module has RCA inputs on it, not sure what youd use it for (DVD player audio input?)but I guess its kinda nice that its there.
Thanks for the info. Just saw your response today. I guess the forum notifier doesn't always work.
Still would like some feedback as to operation with the iphone attached. Anyone using it that way? If so, are you able to use the iphone in handsfree operation thru the pal?
Got my PAL installed today ($90) and works great. The Owner's Manual was a bit scary when I read "first edition," but the instructions were simple and everything worked on the first try. I might added I talked to my service manager about this for a couple of months and after he had installed his first one I order the PAL from a Midwest GM dealer and had it installed. He did put the cable in the glover box in a different location than the one in the instructions -- good idea with no cable binding. (Its just to the right of center in the back of the glove box.
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I am still having issues with my PAL install. Yesterday, with the IPOD plugged in, but the Band selected to regular XM, it would stop playing XM and switch briefly to XM1 for the PAL interface then switch back to XM. It would happen every minute or so for a few seconds. The PAL would not actually start playing the IPOD. I unplugged the IPOD then this stopped happening.
I am starting tho think there is either a problem with the re=program or a problem with the PAL or a problem with the radio.
Anyone else seeing these issues with the PAL?
mine was doing the "hick-up". I had them "re do" the reprogram (make sure he has the newest version loaded on the tech2). it works flawlesly now
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