Axxess AXSWC-RF User manual

CAUTION! All accessories, switches, climate
controls panels, and especially air bag indicator
lights must be connected before cycling the
ignition. Also, do not remove the factory radio
with the key in the on position, or while the
vehicle is running.
AXSWC-RF
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
AxxessInterfaces.com © COPYRIGHT 2020 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION REV. 1/21/20 INSTAXSWC-RF
INTERFACE FEATURES
INTERFACE COMPONENTS
TOOLS REQUIRED
• Cutting tool • Crimping tool • Tape
• Connectors (example: butt-connectors, bell
caps, etc.)
Wireless SWC universal add-on
• 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
• A) AXSWC-RF transmitter • B) AXSWC-RF interface • C) Keypad • D) Trim ring • E) AXSWC-RF harness
• F) Female 3.5mm connector with Brown and Brown/White wires
US. PAT. NOS. 8014920 and 8214105
A B C
E
D
F

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TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE
Preface ......................................................................................................................................................2
Overview
– Introduction to the AXSWC-RF Interface and Wiring Harness .......................................................2
– Mounting the AXSWC-RF Transmitter ..............................................................................................3
AXSWC-RF Installation
– Connections to be Made ...................................................................................................................4
- Setting up the AXSWC-RF ...............................................................................................................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
AXSWC-RF Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................8-9
– LED Feedback .....................................................................................................................................9
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 AXSWC-RF to the latest software.
Note: To update the AXSWC-RF, go to axxessinterfaces.com and download the Axxess Updater.
Introduction to the AXSWC-RF Interface and Wiring Harness
On top of the AXSWC-RF interface there are three points of interest:
• 1) Programming LED • 2) Reset button • 3) Update port cover (slide to open)
Update Port Cover Reset Button Programming LED
AXUSB-CBL
OVERVIEW
Continued on next page

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OVERVIEW (CONT)
Mounting the AXSWC-RF Transmitter
1. Place the button pad in the AXSWC-RF with the Volume Up arrow (▲) in the
location where you want it to be. (Figure A)
2. Snap the trim ring onto the AXSWC-RF to secure the keypad in place. (Figure B)
3. Unscrew the strap cover from the AXSWC-RF.
4. Install the AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF (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
CONNECTIONS TO BE MADE
Note: The Black/Yellow wire is the antenna for the AXSWC-RF.
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 AXSWC-RF to the ground. You may use the same grounding
point as the aftermarket radio; but it is highly recommended to ground the AXSWC-RF to
the chassis of the vehicle, by itself.
2. Connect the Red wire of the AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF. The Brown
of the AXSWC-RF goes to the Brown/Black of the Eclipse and Brown/White of the
AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF. 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 AXSWC-RF.
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 a 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 AXSWC-RF. 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 AXSWC-RF into the
female 3.5mm jack of the AXSWCH-PAR (sold separately). Then plug the 4-pin male harness
into the corresponding steering wheel control female harness in the radio.
Note: AXSWCH-PAR is required (sold separately) and the radio must be updated to rev. 2.1.4
or higher. Additionally, the AXSWC-RF must be updated to the most recent software available .
3. For all other radios: Plug in the male 3.5mm connector of the AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF goes into .

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SETTING UP THE AXSWC-RF REMAPPING THE SWC BUTTONS
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 AXSWC-RF. This will “marry” the AXSWC-RF
to the interface.
1. Turn the ignition on; the LED ont the AXSWC-RF interface will start flashing rapidly, which
means the AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF programmed successfully, the
LED will light up solid.
Let’s say you have the AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF 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
AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF press Volume Up for 1 second,
until the LED comes on, and then release Volume Up. This will tell the AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF until the
LED goes out.
PROGRAMMING

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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
* 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.
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 AXSWC-RF until
the LED on the AXSWC-RF 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
AXSWC-RF; 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 AXSWC-RF.
Note: If at any time the user fails to press any button for a period longer than 10 seconds this
process will abort.
Continued on the next page
REMAPPING THE SWC BUTTONS (CONT) CHANGING RADIO TYPE

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CHANGING RADIO TYPE (CONT) DUAL ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
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
* AXSWCH-PAR is required (sold separately) and the radio must be updated to rev. 2.1.4 or
higher. Additionally, the AXSWC-RF must be updated to the most recent software available.
Note: If you have a Clarion radio and the AXSWC-RF did not work try the other Clarion radio
type, same for the Eclipse
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 AXSWC-RF button, that you want to assign a long press function to,
for about 10 seconds until the LED on the AXSWC-RF 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.

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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
1. Verify that you have 12-volt DC on the Red accessory wire of the AXSWC-RF, using a
multimeter.
2. Reconfirm that you have a good ground to the solid Black wire of the AXSWC-RF.
Attention: Due to the nature of how microprocessors function, sometimes having the
ground on the AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF to a chassis ground, solely by itself, is highly recommended to avoid
grounding issues. Ensure this wire is straight from the AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF from programming; most cases of the
AXSWC-RF not programming comes from the lack of this step being done.
3. Confirm that the 3.5mm jack on AXSWC-RF 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 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.
DUAL ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS TROUBLESHOOTING

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5. For Kenwood radios, make sure that the AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF works, but the buttons are out of order,
or become out of order; this could be caused by the 3.5mm jack on the AXSWC-RF 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 AXSWC-RF by pressing the reset button on
the AXSWC-RF 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
TROUBLESHOOTING (CONT)

10

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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
If you are having difficulties with the installation of this product,
please call our Tech Support line at 1-800-253-TECH. Before doing
so, look over the instructions a second time, and make sure the
installation was performed exactly as the instructions are stated.
Please have the vehicle apart and ready to perform troubleshooting
steps before calling.
AxxessInterfaces.com © COPYRIGHT 2020 METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION REV. 1/21/20 INSTAXSWC-RF
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
AXSWC-RF