Hello everybody, as I promised in previous posts I am now posting a guide on how to add a factory navigation system if your car didn’t come equipped with it.
Big thanks go to cmturn0 on here for answering all my questions prior to doing this, and to Carlo from AAAforeignauto for the Ridicilously Cheap OEM radio !
It would be great if the mods would sticky this
You will need the following parts to perform the swap:
* OEM Navigation Radio Part # 22857154
* Navigation Center Stack Either Black or White
* GPS Antenna Splitter Part # 20960972
* Red Splitter To OnStar Module Part # 20971947
* Blue Splitter To Nav Radio Part # 20971946
* You Can Substitute The Splitter & Cables By Getting An Aftermarket GPS Adapter " Details Below "
You will need the following tools to perform the swap:
* 7MM Socket and Extension for ease of use.
Step 1:
Remove the trim piece around the shifter, you don’t need any special tools for that, you can use both hands, and pull the trim up gently from the inside, don’t lift up more than 6 inches.
Step 2:
Unplug the cable to the shifter light indicator, you can do that with your hand gently.
Step 3:
Remove the two bolts ( marked in red in the picture below ) to loosen the center stack.
Step 4:
Pull the center stack slowly and gently, during this process you will unplug all the connectors to the center stack and screen, please note that the only thing holding the stack down is the two bolts removed in the previous step.
Step 5 (Optional):
If your Navigation Stack didn’t come with a screen just remove the one from your center stack and install it in yours by removing the four bolts.
Step 6:
Remove your radio by removing the four bolts holding it down, pull it out gently and unplug all the cables from the back of it.
Step 7:
This is the GPS Antenna Step, if you went with a standalone Antenna like I did you can route it from your radio and hide the antenna under the roof next to the rear view mirror like I did, If you went with a OEM setup you can just install the Splitter and you are all set. I highly recommend going with the OEM Antenna over aftermarket though for ease of wiring
Big Thanks To focher For Making The Walkthrough Listed Below To Wire The OEM Antenna Splitter & Cables
Step 8:
Install the new radio and plug all the connectors up, everything is color and size coded “ Please note if that the 20pin connector on my radio was different than the cable’s plug but that is no issue, it will fit fine in that place only and work properly. Now reverse your installation and install everything back up.
Step 9:
Go to the dealership and have them reprogram your car to work with the new navigation system and you are all set. Please note if you are going to be installing a rear view camera like I did, make sure they include that option in the reprogramming process. Once completed everything will work as if it came from factory as below
Part Links :
Complete Plug & Play Package:
Carlo from AAAforeignauto is currently working on a full package that includes all the parts, he currently has all the parts needed and he is working on sorting the whole thing together that way you buy everything at once.
Navigation Radio:
AAAforeignauto on EBay is selling the radio for a cheap price, the units are new and that’s the one I got.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-2...TION-RADIO-Factory-OEM-VOLT-NEW-/380647969900
GPS Antenna:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271177517464
Navigation Centerstack:
Ebay, Local Junkyard, Dealer, Online GM Dealers
Here is a list of the Frequently Asked Questions that might come to your mind so I’ll answer it to the best of my abilities :
* Which Navigation Stack do I need to buy and where?
You can buy it on eBay or a local junkyard, please note that the Center stacks from the 2011 Volt will work perfectly fine, the differences are a little bit cosmetic but not major. If you have heated seats make sure you get that, if not get one that doesn't have it. It doesn't matter if it is black or white, they will both work, the only difference is the color
* Do I need a Factory Bose System for this to work ?
No, you don’t a Bose System to work, this unit will work with either the Bose System or without, the sound quality is a little bit better with this unit over the Non-Navigation radio.
* Which Antenna should I go with ?
I am using an aftermarket one, but I am still testing it to make sure it’s working perfectly, for the time being please purchase an oem setup (It will be a splitter and cable, I will post that information later as I don't have it handy)
* Is there any other advantages of doing this ?
It seems that the navigation radio runs much better and smoother, especially the graphics, and makes the car feel more valuable
* Will everything work after I do the swap ?
Yes, everything will be the same, Bluetooth, OnStar, Aux, USB Turn-By-Turn " Which is a standalone program and doesn't interact directly with the Navigation Radio, etc...
* Reprogramming - Did you have any issue with the dealer fulfilling your request to reprogram the system? How much did they charge you? What did they use ?
The dealer service people were giving me a lecture how it's not possible, you know the usual thing " if it didn't come from factory it is not possible, I don't blame them, that's what GM tells them, but the actual tech knew what he was doing, he got it done in 10 min. My dealer has a minimum charge of 1 hour no matter how long it takes, I paid $105 for 1 hour labor. They use the MDI tool to reprogram the car for the radio.
* Does the Navigation unit need its own screen that goes on the Center Stack?
Nope, not at all it is the same screen, they are interchangeable, its the radio that makes the difference.
* I have a rear view camera from factory and parking assist. Will it work fine after the install?
It will work just fine, just make sure you inform the technician reprogramming your car that you would like these functions to stay active.
* My Car has MyLink, it's a late 2012 or 2013, will this work ?
I am not a 100 % sure if it will work, I am currently researching the issue and will update once I get the answer or somebody who has done it replies here.
* I have an extra plug on the back of the radio that isn't being used, I can't find a cable to plug it into. Will this be an issue ?
The radio will work just fine, that plug is used for a different function, I am not sure what it's used for yet as I don't have the pin-outs and schematics for this radio. I will update when I get the information.
* Why not use the original stack? Seems like if it would work we could just use on screen navigation instead of buying a new stack.
With the original stack 80% of the buttons wont work and the ones that do wont do what they are supposed to do, you can't even switch to NAV with that one, the NAV unit doesn't have a main menu with Big icons like the standard one that take you to different functions so to speak, You will need the Navigation Stack and you will need to reprogram otherwise the buttons wont work and the sound quality will be horrible and it wont communicate properly with your car.
That is all for now folks, if you have any questions please ask, meanwhile I will be making a how to for rear view camera addition, I already did it and it works perfectly on my 2012 Volt and is very simple
