robd53

iTrader: (7)

Hey guys, just thought I'd post some pictures of my head unit install today. I bought a Kenwood Excelon from Crutchfield for $149 ($169 - $20 coupon), with the dash trim piece and antenna adapter.

My car is an 06 SS with Pioneer but without OnStar, so I opted for the AXXESS XSVI-NAV-03. Couple reasons for choosing this one. I wanted the retained accessory power and a +12volt ignition source. Additionally I wanted to try out the AXXESS ASWC steering wheel remote control interface. What's really nice about this is, the XSVI has an extra plug on its harness that plugs right into the ASWC. No additional wiring needed. Bought both of those pieces from Sonic Electronix for $99 with shipping.

On to the pics. Everything needed for my install:






The main harness, the XSVI with some of the wires straightened out and tidied up:


Note the plug coming from the XSVI that is all ready for the ASWC, awesome:


The headphone jack male plug comes from the ASWC harness, and the female one got wired to the remote data wire on the Kenwood:


Got the two modules stuck together with 3M tape, electrical tape wrapped around also:


Here's the harness, all taped up and done! Plug and play from here:


The back of the head unit, harness plugged in and antenna adapter in place:


Dash before:


During:


After:



I'm very happy with how it turned out. So with this setup the head unit functions exactly how it was intended. Stays on til the driver's door is opened after the car is shut off. Steering wheel remote controls work perfect. I couldn't use the auto detect though on the ASWC, it just kept turning the stereo volume up all the way (that was fun). Just felt like posting some pictures and some information on the setup that worked for me.

I changed out the HVAC controls at the same time. They came from an 09 and they work perfectly, and look a lot better in my opinion.

Mr.Tozzi

iTrader: (3)

Looks pretty good, my HU is being annoying, a couple buttons only work when they feel like it.
I'm looking at getting a replacement for my car also, after I pay for the coil overs.

Gelladuga69

iTrader: (4)

Never heard of the AXXESS XSVI-NAV-03 being used on the Cobalt.
Definitely bookmarking these thread.

TommyP

iTrader: (2)

Looks good!

MastaShaKe_88

iTrader: (5)

sub'd fer later..

robd53

iTrader: (7)

Only works for the 05-06 since the door chimes arent through the speakers like the 07+.

I fine tuned the settings on the head unit and this really woke up the stock Pioneer speakers. That old head unit's bass and treble controls left a lot to be desired for me. Plus I had to have an iPod connection.

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

looks goos just need to paint the trim between hvac and dash kit and ud be golden

Gelladuga69

iTrader: (4)

Right, I understand that. It's just that every time I looked up a harness for my 06, I was bombarded with PAC harnesses that were expensive, which ultimately made me look away from getting an aftermarket hu. This is only $50, which is still expensive for a harness, but probably the cheapest plug and play solution I've seen so far. I'll probably go this route.

I also looked at the "compatibility list" and it doesn't even have the Cobalts on there, lol.

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

http://www.axxessinterface.com/docs/AxxesscatLR.pdf

page 31

CHEVROLET Cobalt 2005 2006 XSVI-2103-NAV

or http://metraonline.com/files/product...I-2103-NAV.pdf

Gelladuga69

iTrader: (4)

Sonix Electronix, where he bought it from, does not list it as so. That's what I was going off of.

robd53

iTrader: (7)

Yeah, I found it on AXXESS's website after seeing how cool the steering remote interface was, then ordered both from Sonic. My main reason was the simple integration between the ASWC and the XSVI. Works good, and the steering remote is really responsive.

When I had my Jeep, I had an Alpine HU which I loved, and the PAC-SWI-ALP steering wheel interface. There was a bad lag between steering remote button push and action. I don't know if it was fault of the HU or the interface.

Gelladuga69

iTrader: (4)

The price isn't bad at all either. I was wondering about the interface lag.
I want to do a radio install myself, but I've never done one before, and I feel like the hardest part would be matching up the wires, since the colors are usually never the same from what I've seen.

robd53

iTrader: (7)

Everything is color matched. Color from the aftermarket head unit is the same as the color on the interface harness. On top of that, both the interface and the head unit manuals come with diagrams indicating what the colors do.

You could do it as a first timer...

EmperorJJ1

iTrader: (5)

hmm unless they just changed it....

Axxess XSVI-2103-NAV Non-Amplified Non-OnStar Interface Harness


but we doesnt matter i wouldnt trust what sonic electronix says anyway always refer to manufact for confirmation