Axxess ASWC-1 User manual

METRA. THE WORLD’S BEST KITS.®
© COPYRIGHT 2017 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
1-800-221-0932 metraonline.com
REV. 10/12/2017 ASWC-INST10
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS ASWC-1
INTERFACE FEATURES
• One Interface does it all - No additional interfaces needed
• Designed to be compatible with all major radio brands
• Auto detects vehicle type, radio connection, and presets controls
• Ability to dual assign steering wheel control buttons
• Can be manually programmed for most vehicles
• Memory retains settings even after battery disconnection
or interface removal
• All connections done at the radio location
• Micro “B” USB updatable
INTERFACE COMPONENTS
• ASWC-1 Interface • 12-pin harness with male 3.5mm connector
• Female 3.5mm connector with Brown and Brown/White wires
TOOLS REQUIRED
• Cutting tool • Crimping tool • Tape
Axxess Steering Wheel Control
Interface Installation Manual
ASWC-1
US. PAT. NOS. 8014920 and 8214105

Table of Contents
Preface .............................................................................................. 3
Overview
– Introduction to the ASWC-1 Interface and Wiring Harness ..............4-5
ASWC-1 Installation
– Connections to be Made ................................................................6-7
– Programming.................................................................................8-9
Auto Detect Mode: Overview........................................................ 8
Auto Detect Mode: Steps ..........................................................8-9
– Remapping the SWC (steering wheel control) Buttons................10-11
Button Assignment Legend........................................................ 11
– Changing Radio Type .................................................................12-13
Radio Legend ............................................................................ 13
– Dual Assignment Instructions.....................................................14-15
Dual Assignment Legend ........................................................... 15
ASWC-1 Troubleshooting
– Auto Detect Mode......................................................................16-18
– Manual Programming Mode.......................................................19-21
Manual Programming Legend.................................................... 21
– Resetting Original ASWC-1 Settings................................................ 22
– LED Feedback............................................................................22-23
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.
2

What you need to know before you begin
1) Know the correct year, make, and model of your vehicle.
2) Ensure the steering wheel controls work before removing the factory
radio, and know what the Volume Up button is. The Volume Up
button is used for programming, so knowing this before removing
the radio is crucial.
Note: Steering wheel controls must be the ones that came with the
vehicle when purchased. We do not support custom work, i.e. adding
a new steering wheel with added/new buttons.
3) Go to the Axxess website (axxessinterfaces.com) and click on the
link entitled “ASWC-1 Vehicle Instructions”, which is located on the
right side of the screen in the middle. Once you put your vehicle
information in, click the “Submit” button. This will take you to
another page, where you will then click on the link under the word
“Documents”. This will provide the vehicle specific instructions
for your vehicle. Print this document so you have it with you in the
vehicle during the install as it is the best, and most recent
source of information.
4) Be sure that the radio you are installing is compatible with the
ASWC-1. Additionally, refer to the Radio Legend (p. 13) and your
radio’s owners manual.
5) Update the ASWC-1 to the latest software. Note: To update go to
axxessinterfaces.com and download the WebXXpress program.
Attention: Even though we have done extensive research and testing
to verify that the steering wheel control wires we list are correct. It is
your responsibility to verify the steering wheel control wires we list are
correct with a multimeter. If you find an error, please notify our Axxess
Tech department at 1-800-253-TECH. Please be in the vehicle, parked,
along with access to the interface and vehicle wiring when you call.
Preface
3

4
Introduction to the ASWC-1 Interface
and Wiring Harness
On the top of the ASWC-1 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
*Note: The Reset button is recessed.
An item, such as a partially unfolded paper
clip, is needed to press the button.
Micro “B”
USB

5
Overview
Shown below: Female 3.5mm
connector with Brown (Br) and
Brown/White (Br/W) wires.
Br
Br/W
Shown above: 12-pin harness with
male 3.5mm connector.
Pin-1 Pink
Pin-2 White/Green
Pin-3 Yellow/Green
Pin-4 Green/Orange
Pin-5 Gray/Red
Pin-6 Black
Pin-7 Blue/Pink
Pin-8 Black/Green
Pin-9 Red (tip of 3.5mm connector)
Pin-10 White (ring of 3.5mm connector)
Pin-11 Gray/Blue
Pin-12 Red
Below are the wire colors for the ASWC-1. Please visit the
Axxess website at www.axxessinterfaces.com for detailed information
on your specific vehicle and for what color wire(s) to use with the
ASWC-1 interface.

6
ASWC-1 Installation
Connections to be made
Once you have collected or printed out the “ASWC-1 Vehicle Instructions”
for your particular vehicle, from www.axxessinterfaces.com, you’re ready
to install the ASWC-1.
Note: If wiring is not available on our website for your vehicle, you will
need to obtain this yourself. Please check first with Axxess Tech Support
department at 1-800-253-TECH, as we may have this information.
Into vehicle:
1) Connect the Black wire of the ASWC-1 to the ground. You may use
the same grounding point as the aftermarket radio; but
it is highly recommended to ground the ASWC-1 to the chassis,
of the vehicle, by itself.
2) With the key in the off position, connect the Red wire of the ASWC-1
to the 12-volt accessory wire.
3) Locate the correct steering wheel control wire(s) in the vehicle’s
harness, as described in the “ASWC-1 Vehicle Instructions”. Connect
these wires to the ASWC-1.
Note: Metra recommends that the wires are soldered for
the best and most secure connection. Tapping style connectors
are not recommended due to a higher chance of a intermittent
connection or change in resistance values (which will cause the
ASWC-1 to fail to program).
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 ASWC-1 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 ASWC-1. The Brown of the ASWC-1
goes to the Brown/Black of the Eclipse and Brown/White of the
ASWC-1 goes to the Brown of the Eclipse.

7
ASWC-1 Installation
Connections to be made
B. For Metra OE radios: Connect the steering wheel control
Key 1 wire (Gray) to the Brown wire of the ASWC-1. 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 Brown wire of the ASWC-1. Isolate and tape
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, manually set the radio type, refer to the
Changing Radio Type section (pp. 12-13).
D. For XITE radios: Connect the steering wheel control SWC-2 wire
from the radio to the Brown wire of the ASWC-1. 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 ASWC-1 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 ASWC-1
must be updated to the most recent software available.
3) For all other radios: Plug in the male 3.5mm connector of the
ASWC-1 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 ASWC-1 goes into.

8
The ASWC-1 can be programmed two different ways. It can auto
program itself through Auto Detect Mode, or it can be manually
programmed (pp. 19-21). The following, which is recommended, is for
auto programming.
Auto Detect Mode: Overview
The ASWC-1 has the ability to auto detect select vehicles and what
aftermarket radio it is connected to. The “ASWC-1 Vehicle Instructions”,
found at www.axxessinterfaces.com, will indicate if your vehicle will auto
detect and what action, if any, is required for this process to take place.
For the auto detect feature to work there are (3) possible actions that must
be taken. Note, only one action will be required depending on the vehicle:
1. Turn the ignition on and no other action is required.
--- Or ---
2. Turn the ignition on, press and hold the Volume Up button on the
steering wheel.
--- Or ---
3. Turn the ignition on, and then tap the Volume Up button repeatedly
on the steering wheel.
Auto Detect Mode: Steps
Note: Please read all Auto Detect Mode steps before beginning.
1) Complete connections to the vehicle and the aftermarket radio.
2)
Turn the ignition on, the LED will start rapidly flashing Red; which
means the ASWC-1 is looking for the vehicle and the radio.
Note: If the LED did not start flashing Red rapidly press the reset
button for 3 seconds and then proceed to Step 3.
3) Perform action required for your particular vehicle, as noted in the
“ASWC-1 Vehicle Instructions”, download from Axxessinterfaces.com.
ASWC-1 Installation
Programming

9
4) After a few seconds the LED should stop flashing rapidly and go out
for approximately 2 seconds. At this point do not press any buttons.
5) After the approximate 2 seconds there will be a series of 7 Green
flashes, some short, and some long. The long flashes represent the
wires that
are re cognized by the ASWC-1.
Tip: Knowing this will help if you need to troubleshoot; refer to p. 22,
for the appropriate LED Feedback section legend.
6) The LED will pause for another 2 seconds, and then flash Red up to
15 times d
epend ing on what radio is connected to the ASWC-1.
Tip: Knowing this will help if you need to troubleshoot; refer to p. 23,
for the appropriate LED Feedback section legend.
7) This is the end of the auto detection stage. If the ASWC-1 detected
the vehicle and the radio successfully the LED will light up solid.
8) For vehicles with OE Bluetooth buttons, press and hold the
Hang up or Pick up button on the steering wheel after the LED on
the ASWC-1 goes solid. If the OE Bluetooth buttons are able to be
used the LED will go out after 3 seconds. Your OE Bluetooth buttons
are now programmed to your afterm
arket ra dio.
Note: The aftermarket radio must have Bluetooth capability and must
be able to accept these commands.
9) Make sure the steering wheel control buttons function correctly in the
vehicle and enjoy.
Tip: If the ASWC-1 did not go to a solid LED, press the Reset button
for 3 seconds, release, and then start from Step 3. If the LED still doesn’t
go to a solid LED refer to the LED Feedback section (p. 22).This will help
you to determine if the ASWC-1 is detecting your vehicle. If not, refer to
the instructions starting on p. 6, and make sure all the instructions were
followed as stated. If you have done this and the ASWC-1 is still not going
to a solid LED please refer to the Troubleshooting section (pp. 16-18).
ASWC-1 Installation
Programming

10
Let’s say you have ASWC-1 programmed to your radio and you want
to change the button assignment for the steering wheel controls. For
instance, you would like Seek Up to be Mute. Follow the steps below to
remap the steering wheel control buttons:
1) Make sure the ASWC-1 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 the Volume Up button on the steering wheel until the
LED goes solid.
3) Release the Volume Up button and the LED will go out; Volume Up
has now been programmed.
4) Follow the list in the Button Assignment Legend (p. 11),
to reference the order in which the steering wheel control buttons
need to be programmed.
Note: If the next function on the list is not on the steering wheel;
press the Volume Up button for 1 second, until the LED comes
on, and then release the button. This will tell the ASWC-1 that the
function is not available and it will move onto the next function.
5) To complete the remapping process, press and hold the Volume Up
button on the steering wheel until the LED on the ASWC-1 goes out.
ASWC-1 Installation
Remapping the SWC buttons

11
ASWC-1 Installation
Remapping the SWC buttons
Button Assignment Legend
*Only the following Pioneer models have the capability of retaining
this feature: AVIC-Z110BT, AVIC-Z120BT, AVIC-Z130BT, AVIC-Z140BT,
AVIC-X920BT, AVIC-X930BT, AVIC-X940BT.
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.
1. Volume Up
2. Volume Down
3. Seek Up/Next
4. Seek Down/Prev
5. Source/Mode
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

12
1) After 3 seconds of turning the key on, press and hold the Volume
Down button on the steering wheel until the LED on the ASWC-1
goes solid.
2) Release the Volume Down button; the LED will go off indicating we
are now in Changing Radio Type mode.
3) Refer to the Radio Legend (p. 13) to know which radio number you
would like to have programmed.
4) Press and hold the Volume Up button 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 hold
the Volume Down button, on the steering wheel, until the LED goes
solid. The LED will remain on for about 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 steering control wheel controls.
Note: If at any time the user fails to press any button for a period
longer then 10 seconds this process will abort.
ASWC-1 Installation
Changing Radio Type

13
ASWC-1 Installation
Changing Radio Type
Radio Legend
* AX-SWC-PARROT is required (sold separately) and the radio must
be updated to rev. 2.1.4 or higher. Additionally, the ASWC-1 must be
updated to the most recent firmware available.
Note: If you have a Clarion radio and the ASWC-1 did not work try the
other Clarion radio type, same for the Eclipse.
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

14
ASWC-1 Installation
Dual Assignment Instructions
Nota: 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 steering wheel button, that you want to
assign a long press function, for about 10 seconds until the LED
rapidly flashes green. At this point release the button and the LED
will go solid green.
3) Press and release the Volume Up button the number of times
corresponding to the new button number selected (refer to the chart
on p. 15). The green LED will blink rapidly when the Volume Up is
pressed and back to solid green when released. Then go to the next
step when the Volume Up button has been pressed the desired
number of times.
Caution: If more than 10 seconds elapses between a Volume Up
button 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 (the button held down in Step 1). The
LED will now go off indicating it has been stored.
Note: 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. Then press the
Volume Down button. The LED will go off and the long press mapping
for the button will be erased.

15
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
ASWC-1 Installation
Dual Assignment Instructions

16
ASWC-1 Troubleshooting
Auto Detect Mode
If the auto detect feature was tried and at the end the LED did
not go solid, but instead continually flashes; this means that the ASWC-1
did not detect the vehicle. Follow these steps to determine what may
have happened:
1) Verify that you have a 12-volt DC on the Red accessory wire of the
ASWC-1, using a multimeter.
2) Reconfirm that you have a good ground to the solid Black wire of
the ASWC-1.
Attention: Due to the nature of how microprocessors function,
sometimes having the ASWC-1’s ground shared and using the
factory ground in the OE wiring harness is not sufficient; and will
cause problems. The use of a chassis ground solely by itself is highly
recommended, especially in data communication vehicles. Attach
the solid Black wire of the ASWC-1 to a good chassis ground, all
by itself. Ensure this wire is straight from the ASWC-1 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 ASWC-1 from programming; most cases of the ASWC-1 not
programming comes from the lack of this step being done.
3) Recheck that the wires connected to the ASWC-1 and vehicle are
correct; referencing the “ASWC-1 Vehicle Instructions” document,
found on the axxessinterfaces.com website.
4) Verify that the wires connected from the ASWC-1 to the vehicle
are connected direct; i.e., solder, crimp cap, military splice. No
tapping style connectors, or butt connectors are permitted due to
increased resistance.

17
ASWC-1 Troubleshooting
Auto Detect Mode
Note: If a pre-wired harness is being used and you have tried all the
troubleshooting steps listed above, if the ASWC-1 still does not go
to a solid LED, remove the pre-wired ASWC-1 harness and use the
harness that came with the ASWC-1.
If you have performed any of the steps above; reprogram the ASWC-1
by pressing the reset button on the ASWC-1 for 3 seconds, release, and
then follow the instructions on p. 9, starting from Step 3. If the ASWC-1
still does not go to a solid LED at the end, please refer to Manual
Programming Mode on pp. 19-21 to manually program the ASWC-1.
If the ASWC did go to a solid LED but still does not work, follow these
steps to troubleshoot the radio programming portion of the auto
programming sequence:
1) Confirm that the 3.5mm jack on ASWC-1 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.
If the wrong jack of the radio was connected to, correct it; and then
reprogram the ASWC-1.
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 (p.
6), and ensure that you have the proper wire(s) connected.
2) 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 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.

18
3) For Kenwood radios, make sure that the ASWC-1 displays that a
Kenwood radio is being used; reference to Radio Legend (p. 21). If
the Radio Legend shows a JVC radio instead, then reference to the
Changing Radio Type (p. 12) to force program the ASWC-1 to
display 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.
4) For Alpine radios, remove the 3.5mm jack from the radio,
reprogram the ASWC-1 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.
5) For Pioneer and Sony radios, if the ASWC-1 works, but the buttons
are out of order, or become out of order; this could be caused by the
3.5mm jack on the ASWC-1 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.
ASWC-1 Troubleshooting
Auto Detect Mode

19
ASWC-1 Troubleshooting
Manual Programming Mode
If your vehicle is not listed for auto detection by the ASWC-1 on
the Axxess website, www.axxessinterfaces.com, you may be able to
manually program a non-data communication vehicle using the
following steps.
Tip: If you do not know if you have a data communication
vehicle or not, refer to the “ASWC-1 Vehicle Instruction” document,
from www.axxessinterfaces.com. If it indicates to press and release
the Volume Up button repeatedly to program the ASWC-1, then you
have a data communication vehicle.
Note: Not every radio will have all the possible steering wheel
control commands on the steering wheel. Aftermarket radios that
do not have Bluetooth will not recognize the PTT (Push to Talk) or
On/Off Hook commands, however these buttons may be able to be
manually programmed to do other commands. Please refer to the
radio owner’s manual or radio vendor for specific commands that
the radio will recognize.
Note: Please read all Manual Programming Steps before beginning.
1) Follow the steps in the Connections to be Made section (p. 6-7)to
wire up the ASWC-1 to your radio.
2) Turn the ignition on, then press and hold the Reset button on the
ASWC-1 for approximately 10 seconds until the LED on the ASWC-1
flashes slow; and then release the Reset button.
3) At this point, press and hold the Volume Up button on the steering
wheel for 7 seconds until the LED goes solid. Now release the
Volume Up button, and the LED will go off. Volume Up has now
been programmed.

20
4) Next, press and hold the Volume Down button until the
LED goes solid. Release the Volume Down button and the LED
will turn off; Volume Down has now been programmed.
5) At this point refer the Manual Programming Legend (p. 21) and
continue to the Seek Up/Next button.
Note: For any command that needs to be skipped, press the
Volume Up button for each one. The LED should light up each time
you press the Volume Up button.
6) After the last button on your steering wheel has been programmed,
press and hold the Volume Up button until the LED flashes slow; and
then release the Volume Up button.
Note: If at any time an error is made hold down the reset button on
the ASWC-1 for 10 or more seconds. This will restart the manual
programming. Go back to Step 4 and start again.
7) Press and hold the Volume Down button until the LED starts to
flash quickly.
8) Release the Volume Down button.
9) After approximately 4 seconds of the LED flashing quickly the LED
will go out for 2 seconds.
10) Then the LED will flash, up to 15 times, depending on what radio
is connected to the ASWC-1.
11) Make sure the number of flashes match what radio you have
installed. Refer to the Radio Legend (p.13).
Note: If the number of flashes do not match the radio you have
installed, refer to the Changing Radio Type section (p. 13).
ASWC-1 Troubleshooting
Manual Programming Mode