Axxess RFASWC User manual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR PART RFASWC
METRA. The World’s best kits.™ metraonline.com1-800-221-0932 © COPYRIGHT 2004-2014 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
REV. 7/8/2014 INSTRFASWC
CAUTION: Metra recommends disconnecting the
negative battery terminal before beginning any
installation. All accessories, switches, and especially
air bag indicator lights must be plugged in before
reconnecting the battery or cycling the ignition.
NOTE: Refer to the instructions included with the
aftermarket radio.
• Designedtobecompatiblewithmostmajorradiobrands
• Autodetectsradiobeingconnected,andpresetscontrols
• Abilitytodualassignsteeringwheelcontrolbuttons
• Retainssettingsevenafterthebatteryhasbeendisconnected
FEATURES
•Cuttingtool•Crimpingtool•Tape•Connectors
(example:butt-connectors,bellcaps,etc.)
TOOLS REQUIRED
Wireless SWC universal add-on
RFASWC
•A)RFASWCTransmitter•B)RFASWCinterface•C)Keypad•D)Trimring•E)RFASWCharness
•F)Female3.5mmconnectorwithBrownandBrown/Whitewires•G)12k-ohmResistor(notshown)
INTERFACE COMPONENTS
A B C D
E F
US.PAT.NOS.8014920and8214105

RFASWC
2
Table of Contents
What you need to know before you begin
1) Besurethattheradioyouareinstallingissteeringwheelcontrolcompatible.
Additionally,refertotheRadioLegendandyourradio’sinstallationmanual.
2) UpdatetheRFASWCtothelatestsoftware.
Note: To update the RFASWC, go to axxessinterfaces.com and download the
WebXXpress Updater.
Preface
Preface..................................................................................................................2
Overview
– IntroductiontotheRFASWCInterfaceandWiringHarness...................................2
– MountingtheRFASWCTransmitter......................................................................3
RFASWC Installation
–ConnectionstobeMade......................................................................................4
 SettinguptheRFASWC...................................................................................5
–Programming......................................................................................................5
–RemappingtheSWC(steeringwheelcontrol)Buttons......................................... 5-6
 ButtonAssignmentLegend.............................................................................6
–ChangingRadioType....................................................................................... 6-7
 RadioLegend.................................................................................................7
– DualAssignment............................................................................................. 7-8
 DualAssignmentLegend................................................................................8
RFASWC Troubleshooting................................................................................. 8-9
–LEDFeedback.....................................................................................................9
Caution: Metra recommends disconnecting the negative battery terminal before
beginning any installation. All accessories, switches, and especially air bag indicator
lights must be plugged in before reconnecting the battery or cycling the ignition.
Introduction to the RFASWC Interface and Wiring Harness
OntopoftheRFASWCinterfacetherearethreepointsofinterest:
 •1)ProgrammingLED•2)Resetbutton•3)Updateportcover (slide to open)
Overview
UpdatePortCover ResetButton ProgrammingLED
USB-CAB

RFASWC
3
Overview
Mounting the RFASWC Transmitter
1) PlacethebuttonpadintheRFASWCwiththeVolumeUparrow
(▲)inthelocationwhereyouwantittobe.(FigureA)
2) SnapthetrimringontotheRFASWCtosecurethekeypadin
place.(FigureB)
3) UnscrewthestrapcoverfromtheRFASWC.
4) InstalltheRFASWCinthedesiredplaceonthesteeringwheel,
wrappingtherubberstraparoundthesteeringwheel,andthen
throughtheslot.HookittothebacksideoftheRFASWCtosecure
itinplace.(FigureC)
5) Cutofftheunusedportionoftherubberstrap,andthenscrewthe
strapcoverbackontotheRFASWC(donotovertightenthescrew).
(FigureD) (Figure D)
(Figure C)
(Figure B)
(Figure A)
Note: The reset button is
recessed. An item, such as a
partially unfolded paper clip, is
needed to press the button.

4
Note: The Black/Yellow wire is the antenna for the RFASWC.
Do not cut or lengthen this wire; leave it as-is.
Into vehicle
Withthekeyintheoffposition:
1) ConnecttheBlackwireoftheRFASWCtotheground.Youmayusethesame
groundingpointastheaftermarketradio;butitishighlyrecommendedto
groundtheRFASWCtothechassisofthevehicle,byitself.
2) ConnecttheRedwireoftheRFASWCtothe12-voltaccessorywire.
Into radio
1) Fortheradioslistedbelow,plugtheincludedfemale3.5mmadapter 
(withtheBrownandBrown/Whitewires)intothemale3.5mmconnectorofthe
RFASWCharness.
a. For Eclipse radios:ConnecttheEclipsesteeringwheelcontrolwires
(normallyBrownand Brown/Black)totheBrownand Brown/White wires
oftheRFASWC.TheBrownoftheRFASWCgoestotheBrown/Black ofthe
EclipseandBrown/WhiteoftheRFASWCgoestotheBrownoftheEclipse.
b. For Metra OE radios:ConnectthesteeringwheelcontrolKey1wire(Gray)
totheBrown wireoftheRFASWC.IsolateandtapetheBrown/WhiteWire,it
willnotbeused.
c. For Kenwood, or select JVC’s with a Blue/Yellow steering wheel
control wire:ConnecttheKenwood/JVCsteeringwheelcontrolwiretothe
Connections to be Made
BrownwireoftheRFASWC.IsolateandtapeofftheBrown/Whitewire,it
willnotbeused.
Note: Some of the newer Kenwood radios will auto detect as a JVC. If this
is the case, either (a) use the included 12k ohm resistor in-line between
the Blue/Yellow and Brown wire of the female 3.5mm jack only during
programming (once programmed remove the resistor) or (b) you can
manually set the radio type, refer to the Changing Radio Type.
d. ForXITEradios:ConnectthesteeringwheelcontrolSWC-2wirefromthe
radiototheBrownwireoftheRFASWC.IsolateandtapetheBrown/White
wire,itwillnotbeused.
2) For Parrot Asteroid Smart or Tablets:Connectthe3.5mmjackoftheRFASWC
intothefemale3.5mmjackoftheAX-SWC-PARROT(soldseparately).Thenplug
the4-pinmaleharnessintothecorrespondingsteeringwheelcontrolfemale
harnessintheradio.
Note: AX-SWC-PARROT is required (sold separately) and the radio must be
updated to rev. 2.1.4 or higher. Additionally, the RFASWC must be updated to the
most recent software available.
3) For all other radios: Pluginthemale3.5mmconnectoroftheRFASWCintothe
backoftheaftermarketradio,designatedforanexternalsteeringwheelcontrol
interface.Pleaserefertotheaftermarketradiosmanualifindoubtwherethe
3.5mmconnectoroftheRFASWCgoesinto.
RFASWC Installation

5
Setting up the RFASWC
1) PresstheRedandGreenbuttonssimultaneouslyfor5seconds.Thenpress
VolumeUpfor2seconds(thiswillorientateyourbuttondirection).
2) TurntheignitiononandpressVolumeUpontheRFASWC.Thiswill“marry”the
RFASWCtotheinterface.
Remapping the SWC Buttons
Programming
1) Turntheignitionon;theLEDonttheRFASWCinterfacewillstartflashingrapidly,
whichmeanstheRFASWCislookingfortheradio.
Note: If the LED did not start flashing rapidly, press the reset button for 3
seconds, let go, and then proceed to Step 2.
2) Afterafewofseconds,theLEDshouldstopflashingrapidly,andgooutfor
approximately2seconds.
3) TheLEDwillthenflashupto15times,dependingonwhatradiois
connectedtoit.
Tip: Knowing this will help if you need to troubleshoot; refer to the
LED Feedback Legend.
4) Thisistheendoftheautodetectionstage.IftheRFASWCprogrammed
successfully,theLEDwilllightupsolid.
Let’ssayyouhavetheRFASWCprogrammedtoyourradioandyouwantto
changethebuttonassignment.Forexample,youwouldlikeSeekUptobeMute.
Followthestepsbelowtoremapthebuttons:
1) MakesuretheRFASWCinterfaceisvisible,soyoucanseetheLEDflashesto
confirmbuttonrecognition.
Tip: Turning off the radio is recommended.
2) Withinthefirst20secondsofturningtheignitionon,pressandholdVolumeUp
ontheRFASWCuntiltheLEDgoessolid.
3) ReleaseVolumeUpandtheLEDwillgoout.VolumeUphasnowbeen
programmed.
4) RefertotheButtonAssignmentLegendtoreferencetheorderinwhichthe
buttonsneedtobeprogrammed.
Note: If the next function on the list is not on the RFASWC press Volume Up
for 1 second, until the LED comes on, and then release Volume Up. This will
tell the RFASWC that the function is not available and it will move onto the
next function.
5) Tocompletetheremappingprocess,pressandholdVolumeUpontheRFASWC
untiltheLEDgoesout.
RFASWC Installation

6
Remapping the SWC Buttons
Button Assignment Legend
1.VolumeUp
2.VolumeDown
3.SeekUp/Next
4.SeekDown/Previous
5.Mode/Source
6.Mute
7.PresetUp
8.PresetDown
9.Power
10.Band
11.Play/Enter
12.PTT(PushtoTalk)*
13.On-Hook
14.Off-Hook
15.FanUp
16.FanDown
17.TempUp
18.TempDown
* Only the following Pioneer models have the capability of retaining “Push
to Talk” on the radio: AVIC-Z110BT, AVIC-Z120BT, AVIC-Z130BT, AVIC-Z140BT,
AVIC-X920BT, AVIC-X930BT, and AVIC-X940BT.
* Update: Some newer radios use this command to activate Android/Apple voice
commands. Contact your radio vendor to see if your radios is applicable for this
new feature.
Note: Not all radios will have all of these commands. Please refer to the radio
owner’s manual or contact the radio vendor directly for specific commands
recognized by that particular radio.
Changing Radio Type
1) RefertotheRadioLegendtoknowwhichradionumberyouwouldlike 
tohaveprogrammed.
2) After3secondsofturningthekeyon,pressandholdVolumeDownonthe
RFASWCuntiltheLEDontheRFASWCinterfacegoessolid.
3) ReleaseVolumeDownandtheLEDwillgooff,indicatingthatyouareinthe
ChangingRadioTypemode.
4) PressandholdVolumeUpuntiltheLEDgoessolid,thenrelease.Repeatthis
stepforthedesiredradionumberyouhaveselected.
5) Oncethedesiredradionumberhasbeenselected,pressandreleaseVolume
DownontheRFASWC;theLEDwillthengosolid.TheLEDwillremainonfor
approximately3secondswhileitstoresthenewradioinformation.
6) OncetheLEDgoesofftheChangingRadioTypemodewillend.Youcannow
testtheRFASWC.
Note: If at any time the user fails to press any button for a period longer than
10 seconds this process will abort.
RFASWC Installation

RFASWC
7
Changing Radio Type
Radio Legend
1.Eclipse(Type1)
2.Kenwood
3.Clarion(Type1)
4.SonyandDual
5.JVC
6.PioneerandJensen
7.Alpine
8.Visteon
9.Valor
10.Clarion(Type2)
11.MetraOE
12.Eclipse(Type2)
13.LG
14.Parrot*
15.XITE
* AX-SWC-PARROT is required (sold separately) and the radio must be updated to
rev. 2.1.4 or higher. Additionally, the RFASWC must be updated to the most recent
software available.
Note: If you have a Clarion radio and the RFASWC did not work try the other Clarion
radio type, same for the Eclipse
Dual Assignment Instructions
Note:Seek Up and Seek Down are already set to Preset Up and Preset Down for a
long button press.
1) Turnontheignitionbutdonotstartthevehicle.
2) PressandholddowntheRFASWCbutton,thatyouwanttoassignalongpress
functionto,forabout10secondsuntiltheLEDontheRFASWCinterfacerapidly
flashes.AtthispointreleasethebuttonandtheLEDwillgosolid.
3) PressandreleaseVolumeUpthenumberoftimescorrespondingtothenew
buttonnumberselected.TheLEDwillblinkrapidlywhenVolumeUpispressed
andbacktosolidwhenreleased.ThengotothenextstepwhenVolumeUphas
beenpressedthedesirednumberoftimes.
Caution: If more than 10 seconds elapses between a Volume Up press, this
procedure will abort, and the LED will go off.
4) Tostorethelongpressbuttoninmemory,pressthebuttonthatyouassigneda
longpressbuttonto(thebuttonhelddowninStep1).TheLEDwillnowgooff
indicatingithasbeenstored.
Tip: These steps must be repeated for each button you would like to assign
dual purpose action to.
Toresetabuttonbacktoitsoriginaluse,repeatStep1andthenpressVolume
Down.TheLEDwillgooffandthelongpressmappingforthebuttonwillbeerased.

RFASWC
8
Dual Assignment Instructions
Dual Assignment Legend
New Button Action
Notallowed
Notallowed
SeekUp/Next
SeekDown/Prev
Mode/Source
Mute
PresetUp
PresetDown
Power
Band
Play/Enter
PTT
OnHook
OffHook
FanUp
FanDown
TempUp
TempDown
Button Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Troubleshooting
1) Verifythatyouhave12-voltDContheRedaccessorywireoftheRFASWC,
usingamultimeter.
2) ReconfirmthatyouhaveagoodgroundtothesolidBlackwireoftheRFASWC.
Attention: Due to the nature of how microprocessors function, sometimes
having the ground on the RFASWC shared with the radio, and/or using the
factory ground in the vehicles wiring harness is not sufficient; and will cause
problems. Attaching the Black wire of the RFASWC to a chassis ground, solely
by itself, is highly recommended to avoid grounding issues. Ensure this wire
is straight from the RFASWC without any extensions, and make sure a ring
terminal (not supplied) is used, and crimped properly. This will alleviate any
grounding issues that may keep the RFASWC from programming; most cases of
the RFASWC not programming comes from the lack of this step being done.
3) Confirmthatthe3.5mmjackonRFASWCisconnectedtoyourradiosecurely,
andinthecorrectjackoftheradio.Makesureitisnotpluggedintothe
Bluetoothmic.orAUXjack.Ifyouarenotsurewhatjacktoconnecttotheradio,
pleasecontacttheradiovendor.
Note: Some radios do not use a jack for the steering wheel controls, instead
they use a wire. If so, reference Connections to be made, and ensure that you
have the proper wire(s) connected.
4) Ifyouareusingaradiowithawireforconnectionsinsteadofajack,makesure
youhavealsoprogrammedthesteeringwheelcontrolstotheradiofollowing

RFASWC
9
Troubleshooting
theinstructionsincludedwiththeradio.Contacttheradiovendorifyouhave
anyquestionswiththis.
Note: This does not apply to JVC and Kenwood radios.
5) For Kenwood radios,makesurethattheRFASWCdisplaysthataKenwood
radioisbeingused;referencetoRadioLegend.IftheRadioLegendshowsa
JVCradioinstead,thenreferencetotheChangingRadioTypetoforceprogram
theRFASWCtodisplayasaKenwood.
Tip: Some Kenwood radios have a feature called Remote Sensor. If your radio
has this feature, ensure it is turned on. If it is on, turn it off, then back on.
6) For Alpine radios, removethe3.5mmjackfromtheradio,reprogramthe
RFASWCwiththejackremoved,andthenreconnectthe3.5mmjackbackinto
theradio.
Tip: Some Alpine radios have a feature that turns the remote to either the back,
or the front. If you have one of these radios, ensure the sensor is on the rear
setting. If the setting is on the rear, turn it to the front, then back to the rear.
7) For Pioneer and Sony radios, iftheRFASWCworks,butthebuttonsareoutof
order,orbecomeoutoforder;thiscouldbecausedbythe3.5mmjackonthe
RFASWCnotseatingproperly,slippingout,ordirtonthecontacts.Additionally,
sometimesthiscanbeintermittent.Removeanydirtonthecontacts,reinsert
thejackfirmlyintotheradio,andthenputastresslooponthe3.5mmcable
topreventthisfromhappeninginthefuture.Also,ifanythingisprohibitingthe
jackfromseatingallthewayin,suchasaheatsink,lightlytrimsomeofthe
plasticfromthe3.5mmjackasneeded.
Ifyouhaveperformedanyofthestepsabove,resettheRFASWCbypressingthe
resetbuttonontheRFASWCfor3seconds,release,thenwaituntiltheLEDgoes
solid(approximately20seconds).
LED Feedback Legend
1.Eclipse(Type1)
2.Kenwood
3.Clarion(Type1)
4.SonyandDual
5.JVC
6.PioneerandJensen
7.Alpine
8.Visteon
9.Valor
10.Clarion(Type2)
11.MetraOE
12.Eclipse(Type2)
13.LG
14.Parrot
15.XITE

RFASWC
Notes

RFASWC
Notes

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR PART RFASWC
METRA. The World’s best kits.™metraonline.com1-800-221-0932 © COPYRIGHT 2004-2014 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
REV. 7/8/2014 INSTRFASWC
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.com or call
800-354-6782 for more information and take steps
toward a better tomorrow.
Metra recommends MECP
certified technicians
IMPORTANT WARNING
Thisproductincludesinstructionsforinstallationwhichmustbecarefullyfollowed.The
instructionsarewordedinsuchamannertoassumethattheinstalleriscapableof
completingthesetypeofelectronicinstallations.Ifyouareunclearastowhatyouare
instructedtodoorbelievethatyoudonotunderstandtheinstructionssoastoproperly
andsafelycompletetheinstallationyou should consult a technician who does have this
knowledge and understanding.
Failure to follow these instructions carefully and to install the interface as
described could cause harm to the vehicle or to safety systems on the vehicle.
Interference with certain safety systems could cause harm to persons as well. If you
have any questions in this regard please call the Help line or Metra at 1-800-221-
0932 for assistance.