Axxess AXTC-FD3 User manual

AXTC-FD3
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
AxxessInterfaces.com © COPYRIGHT 2021 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION REV. 10/8/21 INSTAXTC-FD3
Product Info
ATTENTION: With the key out of the ignition,
disconnect the negative battery terminal
before installing this product. Ensure that all
installation connections are secure before
cycling the ignition to test this product.
NOTE: Refer also to the instructions included
with the aftermarket radio.
INTERFACE FEATURES
TOOLS & INSTALLATION ACCESSORIES REQUIRED
• Crimping tool and connectors, or solder gun,
solder, and heat shrink • Tape • Wire cutter
• Zip-ties
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Connections ............................................................2
Programming .........................................................3
Troubleshooting .....................................................4
Ford SWC (Steering Wheel Control)
and Data Interface 2020-Up
APPLICATIONS
• Provides accessory power
(10-amp)
• Provides wires for multimedia
radios (park brake, reverse,
speed sense)
• Retains audio controls on the
steering wheel
• Designed for non-amplified
models only
• Designed to be compatible
with all major radio brands
•
Auto detects vehicle type, radio
connection, and preset controls
• Ability to dual assign steering
wheel control buttons
• Retains memory settings even
after battery disconnection
or interface removal (non
volatile memory)
• Provides illumination output
• Micro-B USB updatable
Ford
E Series 2021-Up
Eco Sport 2020-Up
Escape 2020-Up
F250/F350/F450/F550 2020-Up
Transit 2020-Up
Transit Connect 2020-Up
INTERFACE COMPONENTS
• AXTC-FD3 interface
• AXTC-FD3 harness
• 3.5mm adapter
Note: The AXTC-FD3 does not retain SYNC.

2
CONNECTIONS
Front
Rear
Sub
AUX-IN
Rear View
SWC
This is to be done only in the Ford
Transit/Transit Connect 2020-Up
without SYNC. To retain backup
camera in anyother application you
must purchase the AXBUCH-FD1.
Vehicle Connectors
Radio Connections
Black - Ground
Yellow - Battery power
Red - Accessory power
Orange/White - Illumination
Blue/Pink - VSS/Speed-Sense
Green/Purple - Reverse signal
Light Green - Parking brake
Gray - Front right speaker +
Gray/Black - Front right speaker -
White - Front left speaker +
White/Black - Front left speaker -
Green - Rear left speaker +
Green/Black - Rear left speaker -
Purple - Rear right speaker +
Purple/Black - Rear right speaker -
Blue/White - Amp turn on from radio
Aftermarket Radio
(radio’s features may vary)
Reset Button
LED Light
3.5mm Adapter (for radios with a wire for SWC)
Boss (with SWC wire): Key 1 (Gray) - Brown
Kenwood / JVC (with SWC wire): Blue/Yellow - Brown
XITE: SWC-2 - Brown
Universal Radio*: Key-A or SWC-1 - Brown
Key-B or SWC-2 - Brown/White
* After programming, assign SWC buttons within radio menu

3
REV. 10/8/21 INSTAXTC-FD3
PROGRAMMING
1. Open the driver’s door, and keep open during the programming process.
2. Cycle the ignition on and wait (5) seconds.
3. Connect the AXTC-FD3 harness to the AXTC-FD3 interface, and then to
the wiring harness in the vehicle.
4. Locate the Volume Up button on the steering wheel. Program the interface
by tapping the Volume Up button at a heartbeat pace until the LED light
stops flashing.
5. The LED light will flash Green & Red while the interface programs the
radio to the steering wheel controls. Once programmed, the LED light will
go out, then produce a pattern which will identify the radio type installed .
6. The LED light will go out, then once again quickly flash Green & Red
while the interface programs itself to the vehicle. Once programmed,
the LED light will go out again, then turn solid Green.
7. Cycle the ignition off, then back on.
8. Test all functions of the installation for proper operation.
Green & Red LED
Green or Red LED
Green & Red LED
Green LED
O
F
F
A
C
C
O
N
S
T
A
R
T
O
F
F
A
C
C
O
N
S
T
A
R
T
O
F
F
A
C
C
O
N
S
T
A
R
T
VOL
+
Tap Volume Up

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Enhance your installation and fabrication skills by
enrolling in the most recognized and respected
mobile electronics school in our industry.
Log onto www.installerinstitute.edu or call
386-672-5771 for more information and take steps
toward a better tomorrow.
®
Metra recommends MECP
certified technicians
AxxessInterfaces.com © COPYRIGHT 2021 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION REV. 10/8/21 INSTAXTC-FD3
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
AXTC-FD3
Having difficulties? We’re here to help.
Contact our Tech Support line at:
386-257-1187
Or via email at:
[e-mail]
Tech Support Hours (Eastern Standard Time)
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Solid Green
Slow Red Flash
Slow Green Flash
Solid Red
Pass
Fail
Pass
Fail
Pass
Pass
Fail
Fail
Note: If the LED light shows Solid Green for Pass (indicating
everything programmed correctly), yet the steering wheel
controls don’t work, check to ensure that the 3.5mm jack is
plugged in, and also plugged into the correct jack on the radio.
Once corrected, press the reset button, then program again
.
Final LED Feedback
At the end of programming the LED light will turn Solid Green which
indicates programming was successful. If the LED light didn’t turn
Solid Green, reference the list below to understand which programming
section the problem may stem from.
TROUBLESHOOTING
1. 2.
QR Code Scan Here
If the interface fails to function,
press and release the reset button,
then repeat the programming
process from step 4 to try again.
Further troubleshooting steps and information
can be located at:
axxessinterfaces.com/product/AXTC-FD3
LED Light Radio
Programming
Section
Vehicle
Programming
Section
LED
Light
Reset
Button

I N T E R F A C E
AXTC-FD3
AxxessInterfaces.com © COPYRIGHT 2021 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
What Fits My Vehicle? See the Vehicle Fit Guide at
SALES 800-221-0932 REV. 10/11/21
Ford Select Models
2012-Up
SWC (Steering Wheel Control)
and Data Interface
INTERFACE FEATURES
• Provides accessory power (10-amp)
• Provides wires for multimedia radios (park
brake, reverse, speed sense)
• Retains audio controls on the steering wheel
• Designed for non-amplified models only
• Designed to be compatible with all major
radio brands
• Auto detects vehicle type, radio connection,
and preset controls
• Ability to dual assign steering wheel control
buttons
• Retains memory settings even after battery
disconnection or interface removal (non
volatile memory)
• Provides illumination output
• Micro-B USB updatable
INTERFACE COMPONENTS
• AXTC-FD3 interface
• AXTC-FD3 harness
• 3.5mm adapter
Visit AxxessInterfaces.com for more detailed information about the product and up-to-date vehicle specific applications.
Ford
E Series 2021-Up
Eco Sport 2020-Up
Escape 2020-Up
F250/F350/F450/F550 2020-Up
Transit 2020-Up
Transit Connect 2020-Up
APPLICATIONS
Note: The AXTC-FD3 does not retain SYNC.

ADVANCED PROGRAMMING
AXTC SERIES
REV. 6/19/19© COPYRIGHT 2019 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Integrate • AxxessInterfaces.com
The AXTC interface can be used in vehicles without steering wheel controls to provide retained accessory power, and also to provide wires
for multimedia radios (park brake / reverse / speed-sense). Follow the steps below to program the AXTC-CH5 for just these features.
Final LED Feedback
1. From the 3.5mm adapter, tie the Brown and Brown/White wires together and tape up or use a connector.
2. Connect the 3.5mm adapter to the 3.5mm jack from the AXTC-CH5 harness.
3. Program the AXTC-CH5 per the AXTC-CH5 instructions, page 3. Disregard steps 4 and 5.
•
At the end of programming the LED light will turn solid Green which indicates programming was successful .
• If the LED light turned solid Red instead, this means programming has failed. Reset the interface and try again .
• If still no success after resetting and reprogramming the interface, refer to the Vehicle Troubleshooting document for
the interface.
Ignore the steps referencing steering wheel controls.
Solid Green
Solid Red
Pass
Fail
LED Light Vehicle Programming Secon

CHANGING RADIO TYPE
AXTC SERIES
REV. 6/12/19© COPYRIGHT 2019 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Integrate • Axxessinterfaces.com
The AXTC interface has the capability to assign (2) functions to a single button except for Volume Up and Volume Down.
This feature can be performed three different ways; through a Windows based computer using the Axxess Updater, through
the Axxess Updater app available from the Android/Apple mobile devices app store, or by following the steps below
.
Note: Apple mobile devices will require the use of the AX-HUB for this feature.
Attention! If more than 20 seconds elapses between steps, the procedure will abort, and the interface’s LED light
will go out. The interface may not function properly and may need to be reset and reprogrammed.
1. Program the interface to the vehicle following the vehicle specific document.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Cycle the key off, then back on.
4. Wait until the interface’s light flashes Green one time then goes out.
5. Press and hold the Volume Down button on the steering wheel until the interface’s light turns solid Red,
then release. The light will then go out indicating that the interface is in Changing Radio Type mode.
6. Reference the Radio Legend for the radio number preferred.
7. Press and hold the Volume Up button on the steering wheel until the interface’s light turns solid Red, then
release. Radio number 1 has now been programmed. Repeat this step for the desired radio.
8. Once the desired radio has been selected, press and hold the Volume Down button on the steering wheel
until the interface’s light turns solid Red. The light will remain solid Red for 3 seconds while it stores the new
radio information. After the light goes out, turn the radio on and test the steering control wheel controls.
Pioneer / Jensen 1
Boss (type 1) / Dual / Sony 2
Kenwood 3
JVC 4
Alpine 5
Boss (type 2) 6
Clarion (type 1) 7
Clarion (type 2) 8
Boss (type 3) 9
Insane Audio 10
Magnadyne 11
Visteon / Boss (type 4) 12
JBL 13
Eclipse (type 1) 14
Eclipse (type 2) 15
Philips 16
XITE 17
Parrot 18
Valor 19
LG 20
Kicker 21
Axxera 22
Radio Brand Radio Number Radio Brand Radio Number
Radio Legend

DUAL ASSIGNMENT (LONG BUTTON PRESS)
AXTC SERIES
REV. 6/13/19© COPYRIGHT 2019 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Integrate • Axxessinterfaces.com
The AXTC interface can assign (2) functions to a single button except for Volume Up and Volume Down. This feature
can be performed three different ways; through a Windows based computer using the Axxess Updater, through the
Axxess Updater app available from the Android/Apple mobile devices app store, or by following the steps below.
Notes:
a) Seek Up and Seek Down come pre-programmed as Preset Up and Preset Down for a long button press.
b) Apple mobile devices will require the use of the AX-HUB for this feature.
Attention! If more than 10 seconds elapses between steps, the procedure will abort, and the interface’s light will
go out. The interface may not function properly and will need to be reset and reprogrammed.
1. Program the interface to the vehicle following the vehicle specific document.
2. Turn the radio off.
3. Cycle the key off, then back on.
4. Wait until the interface’s light flashes Green 1 time then goes out.
5.
Press and hold the desired SWC button for dual assignment for 10 seconds (or until the interface’s light flashes
rapidly Green), then release. The light will turn solid Green indicating the interface is in Dual Assignment mode
.
6. Reference the Dual Assignment Legend. Press and release the Volume Up button on the steering wheel the
number of times related to the desired feature for a long button press.
7. Press and release the SWC button from step 5. The interface’s light will go out indicating the information has
been stored to memory.
8. Repeat from step 5 to select another SWC button for dual assignment.
9.
To reset an SWC button back to its default state, repeat steps 3 and 4, then press and release the Volume Down
button on the steering wheel. The AXTC-1’s light will go out, and the dual assignment feature for that button will
be erased
.
Volume Up * 1
Volume Down * 2
Seek Up / Next 3
Seek Down / Previous 4
Mode / Source 5
ATT / Mute 6
Preset Up 7
Preset Down 8
Power 9
Band 10
Play / Enter 11
PTT 12
On Hook 13
Off Hook 14
Fan Up * 15
Fan Down * 16
Temp Up * 17
Temp Down * 18
Feature Desired Volume Up Presses Feature Desired Volume Up Presses
Dual Assignment Legend (Long Button Press)
* Not applicable in this application

LED FEEDBACK
AXTC SERIES
REV. 6/13/19© COPYRIGHT 2019 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Integrate • AxxessInterfaces.com
Overall LED Feedback
Radio LED Feedback
Pioneer / Jensen
Boss (type 1) / Dual / Sony
Kenwood
JVC
Alpine
Boss (type 2)
Clarion (type 1)
Clarion (type 2)
Boss (type 3)
Insane Audio
Magnadyne
Visteon / Boss (type 4)
JBL
Eclipse (type 1)
Eclipse (type 2)
Philips
XITE
Parrot
Valor
LG
Kicker
Axxera
3 (Boss)
1
2
3
3
3
3
3 (Boss)
3
3
4
Radio LED Paern Keynotes (reference below)
1) If the LED pattern shows JVC, change the radio type to Kenwood. Refer to the Changing Radio Type document.
2) If the LED pattern shows Alpine, but an Alpine radio isn’t installed, make sure the 3.5mm jack is plugged into the radio.
3) If no SWC, change the radio type to the opposite radio type. Refer to the Changing Radio Type document.
4) AX-SWC-PARROT required (sold separately). The software in the radio must be rev. 2.1.4 or higher.
LED Light
Solid Green
Slow Red Flash
Slow Green Flash
Solid Red
Radio Programming Secon
Pass
Fail
Pass
Fail
Vehicle Programming Secon
Pass
Pass
Fail
Fail

RADIO TROUBLESHOOTING
AXTC SERIES
REV. 6/13/19© COPYRIGHT 2019 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Integrate • AxxessInterfaces.com
If the AXTC interface’s LED light didn’t go out at the end of the radio programming sequence, or showed the wrong radio installed*, follow the
steps below to trace down where the problem may lie. The final LED feedback light will also flash Red slowly or turn solid Red, instead of turning
solid Green. If any of the following steps are performed, reset and reprogram the interface per the vehicle specific document. Take note where
SWC is worded means Steering Wheel Control.
* Reference the Radio LED Feedback table at the end of this document.
The 3.5mm jack from interface should be plugged into the SWC Input from the radio. Make sure it isn’t
plugged into the Bluetooth Mic or AUX Input. If unsure which input to use, refer to the manual provided with
the radio, or contact the radio Manufacturer.
Note: Some radios use a wire an for SWC instead
Reference the Radio LED Feedback table. Boss, Clarion, and Eclipse have different radio types and the wrong
radio type may have been auto detected. Reference the Changing Radio Type document to change the radio
type. Also refer to the radio specific troubleshooting steps on the following page.
If all troubleshooting steps have been performed and the interface still doesn’t go solid Green at the end of
the final programming sequence, update the interface to the latest firmware, then try programming once
more. If the interface still doesn’t go solid
Green , contact Tech Support at 1-800-253-TECH. Take note to
be prepared to perform some tests in the vehicle when you contact Tech Support, and have the Product ID
Number on the bottom of the interface noted.
Is the
3.5mm jack
connected?
Was the
correct
radio type
detected?
Update
the
interface
Back of interface
Continued on the next page
XXXX-XXX-XXXX
Update
Port
Product
ID Number

RADIO TROUBLESHOOTING
AXTC SERIES
REV. 6/13/19© COPYRIGHT 2019 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Integrate • AxxessInterfaces.com
Alpine
1. Unplug the 3.5mm jack from the radio, reset and reprogram the interface, then plug the 3.5mm jack
back into the SWC input labeled REM.
2. Some Alpine radios have a feature that changes SWC* from the back to the front, and vice-versa. If the
radio has this feature, make sure SWC is on the rear setting. If the setting is on the rear, turn it to the
front, then back to the rear.
* Labeled remote in the Alpine manual
Kenwood
1. Make sure the interface’s LED feedback shows Kenwood. If it shows JVC instead, reference the
Changing Radio Type document to change the radio type to Kenwood.
2.
If the interface’s LED feedback shows Alpine, this could mean the wrong wire used from the radio, or a bad
3.5mm jack. Kenwood radios use a Blue/Yellow wire for SWC. If the radio is connected properly, remove the
3.5mm Adapter and wire the radio directly to the interfaces’s “skinny” Red wire within the 3.5mm jack.
3. Some Kenwood radios have a feature called Remote Sensor which disables SWC. If the radio has this
feature, make sure it’s turned on. If it’s turned on, turn it off, then back on.
Parrot
1. AX-SWC-PARROT (sold separately) is required. The software in the radio must be rev. 2.1.4 or higher.
Pioneer / Sony
1. If the SWC buttons are out of order, this could be caused by the 3.5mm jack not be seating properly, or
residue on the contacts. Clean the contacts, then plug the 3.5mm jack firmly back into the radio. Add a
stress loop on the cable to prevent the 3.5mm jack from slipping out.
2. If anything is prohibiting the 3.5mm jack from seating all the way in such as a heatsink, lightly trim away
some of the plastic from the 3.5mm jack as needed.
3. SWC input for Pioneer is labeled W/R. SWC input for Sony is a blue 3.5mm input labeled REMOTE.
General Radio (with wire for SWC)
1. Make sure the correct wire is used from the 3.5mm Adapter.
a) Brown is for Key-A or SWC-1.
b) Brown/White is for Key-B or SWC-2*
* Disregard if not applicable
3.5mm Adapter
2. Make sure SWC is programmed within the radio menu. Refer to the manual provided with the radio,
or contact the radio Manufacturer for any questions regarding this process
Radio
Specific
Troubleshooting
Continued on the next page

RADIO TROUBLESHOOTING
AXTC SERIES
REV. 6/13/19© COPYRIGHT 2019 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Integrate • AxxessInterfaces.com
Radio LED Feedback
Pioneer / Jensen
Boss (type 1) / Dual / Sony
Kenwood
JVC
Alpine
Boss (type 2)
Clarion (type 1)
Clarion (type 2)
Boss (type 3)
Insane Audio
Magnadyne
Visteon / Boss (type 4)
JBL
Eclipse (type 1)
Eclipse (type 2)
Philips
XITE
Parrot
Valor
LG
Kicker
Axxera
3 (Boss)
1
2
3
3
3
3
3 (Boss)
3
3
4
Radio LED Paern Keynotes (reference below)
1) If the LED pattern shows JVC, change the radio type to Kenwood. Refer to the Changing Radio Type document.
2) If the LED pattern shows Alpine, but an Alpine radio isn’t installed, make sure the 3.5mm jack is plugged into the radio.
3) If no SWC, change the radio type to the opposite radio type. Refer to the Changing Radio Type document.
4) AX-SWC-PARROT required (sold separately). The software in the radio must be rev. 2.1.4 or higher.