→ Header Synced Blocks

→→ Simple Grounding

IMPORTANT

The following installation guide covers both the AXSWC and AXSWC-2 interfaces. While most information applies to both units, certain sections include details specific to each model. Please confirm whether you have the AXSWC or AXSWC-2 before beginning installation. For information that applies universally, the unit will be described as the Steering Wheel Controller. Where there are differences, AXSWC and AXSWC-2 details will be clearly marked.

Vehicle Installation Instructions

The instructions below will guide you through the installation of the Steering Wheel Controller in your vehicle.

NOTE Although Metra has conducted extensive research, testing, and verification to ensure the accuracy of the Steering Wheel Control (SWC) wires for the listed vehicles, it is the installer’s responsibility to verify that the wires are installed correctly. If a discrepancy is found after following all instructions, please notify Technical Support.

Connections

Aftermarket Radio Harness

1. Connect Pin 6 of the Steering Wheel Controller harness to the Black ground wire of the aftermarket radio.
2. Connect Pin 12 of the Steering Wheel Controller to the Red accessory wire of the aftermarket radio (shown below).

Vehicle Connection(s) to Factory Harness  

→→ Complex Grounding

IMPORTANT

The following installation guide covers both the AXSWC and AXSWC-2 interfaces. While most information applies to both units, certain sections include details specific to each model. Please confirm whether you have the AXSWC or AXSWC-2 before beginning installation. For information that applies universally, the unit will be described as the Steering Wheel Controller. Where there are differences, AXSWC and AXSWC-2 details will be clearly marked.

Vehicle Installation Instructions

The instructions below will guide you through the installation of the Steering Wheel Controller in your vehicle.

NOTE Although Metra has conducted extensive research, testing, and verification to ensure the accuracy of the Steering Wheel Control (SWC) wires for the listed vehicles, it is the installer’s responsibility to verify that the wires are installed correctly. If a discrepancy is found after following all instructions, please notify Technical Support.

Connections

→ Programming Synced Blocks

→→ Tap Method Synced Block

Programming the Steering Wheel Controller

To effectively program the Steering Wheel Controller, the aftermarket radio must be (or remain) completely wired, the Steering Wheel Controller harness must be wired, and the Steering Wheel Control (SWC) 3.5mm Jack or SWC wiring must be connected.

WARNING Do not plug the Steering Wheel Controller harness into the interface until Step 3 below.

NOTE

If your aftermarket radio is from the Sony XAV Series, before programming to the vehicle, you must:

1. Turn the radio On.

2. From the radio's home screen, click Settings.

3. Click System.

4. In the Steering Wheel Settings section, toggle the Custom switch to Off.

5. Return to the Main Menu.

6. Power Off the radio.

You may now proceed with programming the radio to your vehicle with the steps below.

Follow the steps below to programming the Steering Wheel Controller to your vehicle:

1. Open the driver’s door. Keep it open during the programming process.

2. Turn the vehicle’s ignition On.

3. Plug in the Steering Wheel Controller.

4. The LED on the SWC begins rapid flashing Green and Red.

TIP Once the LED is rapidly flashing, quickly proceed to Step 6.

5. (Optional) If the LED does not turn on, refer to Connections above and ensure all steps were performed precisely.
6. Tap the Volume Up button on the steering wheel at a steady heartbeat pace (1, rest, 2, rest, 3, rest, etc.) until the rapid flash stops (3-5 seconds).

7. (Optional) If the Green and Red flashes are missed, reset the Steering Wheel Controller (as explained below) and restart the programming process from the beginning.
8. Stop tapping the Volume Up button. The Steering Wheel Controller is being programmed into the vehicle’s steering wheel controls (SWC).

NOTE A series of seven (7) Green LED flashes identifies your vehicle type. Once the detection process completes, the Green LED will pause for one to two (1-2) seconds.

TIP Refer to Vehicle LED Feedback below for additional information about Green LED flashes.

9. LED Feedback:
1. AXSWC
1. The LED begins flashing Red while the interface programs itself to the aftermarket radio. A series of up to twenty-four (24) Red LED flashes identifies the detected Radio Type.
2. AXSWC-2
1. The Red and Green LED flashes represent a different radio manufacturer for the SWC interface to detect.

NOTE For example, if installing a JVC radio, the SWC interface will flash Red one (1) time, then stop. The LED Feedback Legend in the following sections indicates the flash count that corresponds to the radio manufacturer.

TIP Refer to Radio LED Feedback below for radio types.

10. Upon successfully programming, the LED turns solid Red.

11. Test all functions of the Steering Wheel Controller installation for proper operation.

→→ Auto Detect Method Synced Block

Programming the Steering Wheel Controller

To effectively program the Steering Wheel Controller, the aftermarket radio must be (or remain) completely wired, the Steering Wheel Controller harness must be wired, and the Steering Wheel Control (SWC) 3.5mm Jack or SWC wiring must be connected.

WARNING Do not plug the Steering Wheel Controller harness into the interface until Step 3 below.

NOTE

If your aftermarket radio is from the Sony XAV Series, before programming to the vehicle, you must:

1. Turn the radio On.

2. From the radio's home screen, click Settings.

3. Click System.

4. In the Steering Wheel Settings section, toggle the Custom switch to Off.

5. Return to the Main Menu.

6. Power Off the radio.

You may now proceed with programming the radio to your vehicle with the steps below.

Follow the steps below to programming the Steering Wheel Controller to your vehicle:

1. Open the driver’s door. Keep it open during the programming process.

2. Turn the vehicle’s ignition On.

3. Plug in the Steering Wheel Controller.

4. The LED on the SWC begins rapid flashing Green and Red.

TIP Once the LED is rapidly flashing, quickly proceed to Step 6.

5. (Optional) If the LED does not turn on, refer to Connections above and ensure all steps were performed precisely.
6. The Steering Wheel Controller will enter auto-detect mode. No action is required until the LED begins flashing Green and Red.

7. (Optional) If the Green and Red flashes are missed, reset the Steering Wheel Controller (as explained below) and restart the programming process from the beginning.
8. The Steering Wheel Controller is being programmed into the vehicle’s steering wheel controls (SWC).

NOTE A series of seven (7) Green LED flashes identifies your vehicle type. Once the detection process completes, the Green LED will pause for one to two (1-2) seconds.

TIP Refer to Vehicle LED Feedback below for additional information about Green LED flashes.

9. LED Feedback:
1. AXSWC
1. The LED begins flashing Red while the interface programs itself to the aftermarket radio. A series of up to twenty-four (24) Red LED flashes identifies the detected Radio Type.
2. AXSWC-2
1. The Red and Green LED flashes represent a different radio manufacturer for the SWC interface to detect.

NOTE For example, if installing a JVC radio, the SWC interface will flash Red one (1) time, then stop. The LED Feedback Legend in the following sections indicates the flash count that corresponds to the radio manufacturer.

TIP Refer to Radio LED Feedback below for radio types.

10. Upon successfully programming, the LED turns solid Red.

11. Test all functions of the Steering Wheel Controller installation for proper operation.

→→ Hold Method Synced Block

Programming the Steering Wheel Controller

To effectively program the Steering Wheel Controller, the aftermarket radio must be (or remain) completely wired, the Steering Wheel Controller harness must be wired, and the Steering Wheel Control (SWC) 3.5mm Jack or SWC wiring must be connected.

WARNING Do not plug the Steering Wheel Controller harness into the interface until Step 3 below.

NOTE

If your aftermarket radio is from the Sony XAV Series, before programming to the vehicle, you must:

1. Turn the radio On.

2. From the radio's home screen, click Settings.

3. Click System.

4. In the Steering Wheel Settings section, toggle the Custom switch to Off.

5. Return to the Main Menu.

6. Power Off the radio.

You may now proceed with programming the radio to your vehicle with the steps below.

Follow the steps below to programming the Steering Wheel Controller to your vehicle:

1. Open the driver’s door. Keep it open during the programming process.

2. Turn the vehicle’s ignition On.

3. Plug in the Steering Wheel Controller.

4. The LED on the SWC begins rapid flashing Green and Red.

TIP Once the LED is rapidly flashing, quickly proceed to Step 6.

5. (Optional) If the LED does not turn on, refer to Connections above and ensure all steps were performed precisely.
6. Hold the Volume Up button on the steering wheel.

7. (Optional) If the Green and Red flashes are missed, reset the Steering Wheel Controller (as explained below) and restart the programming process from the beginning.
8. Stop holding the Volume Up button. The Steering Wheel Controller is being programmed into the vehicle’s steering wheel controls (SWC).

NOTE A series of seven (7) Green LED flashes identifies your vehicle type. Once the detection process completes, the Green LED will pause for one to two (1-2) seconds.

TIP Refer to Vehicle LED Feedback below for additional information about Green LED flashes.

9. LED Feedback:
1. AXSWC
1. The LED begins flashing Red while the interface programs itself to the aftermarket radio. A series of up to twenty-four (24) Red LED flashes identifies the detected Radio Type.
2. AXSWC-2
1. The Red and Green LED flashes represent a different radio manufacturer for the SWC interface to detect.

NOTE For example, if installing a JVC radio, the SWC interface will flash Red one (1) time, then stop. The LED Feedback Legend in the following sections indicates the flash count that corresponds to the radio manufacturer.

TIP Refer to Radio LED Feedback below for radio types.

10. Upon successfully programming, the LED turns solid Red.

11. Test all functions of the Steering Wheel Controller installation for proper operation.

→ Additional Settings/Details/Troubleshooting Synced Block

Troubleshooting

1. Verify that 12-volt power and chassis ground have a solid connection.

TIP If a ground wire is attached to the radio harness, remove it and attach it to a bolt or solid piece of metal in the vehicle's dashboard.

2. Verify your connections are correct and that the view of the connector was established properly when locating your connections.
3. Verify the 3.5mm jack is secured in its proper location and not a secondary one.
4. Remove any aftermarket T-taps or barrel connections. These will add resistance to a resistance-based system.
5. If using a 2-wire or 3-wire universal-style radio, verify proper connection to the radio using the female 3.5 jack.
6. (Pioneer radio users) If the radio buttons are not functioning as expected or at all, attempt the following:
1. Insert and remove the 3.5mm male jack in and out of the back of the radio five to six (5-6) times.
2. On the final insertion, ensure the jack is well set.
3. Reset and reprogram the Steering Wheel Controller.
7. If you’ve established all connections and the Steering Wheel Controller won’t connect, remove any aftermarket connectors, T-taps, barrel connectors, and quick connectors. These will all add resistance.

WARNING Steering wheel controls must be the ones that came with the vehicle when purchased. Axxess does not support custom work to vehicles, such as adding a new steering wheel with new/different buttons.

→ Radio Troubleshooting

Download General Radio Troubleshooting PDF

Steering Wheel Controller Radio Troubleshooting - PDF.pdf1420.1KB

If you experience issues programming your Radio, the guides below can help you troubleshoot:

Radio Installations Gallery View (Simple) (2)

Radio Programming Instructions

Radio Programming Instructions

Radio Programming Instructions

Radio Programming Instructions

Radio Programming Instructions

Radio Programming Instructions

NOTE If you’ve exhausted every troubleshooting step offered, contact Technical Support.

→ SUBDIVIDED Additional Settings/Details/Troubleshooting Synced Block BOTH

Additional Instructions, Feedback Information, & Troubleshooting

IMPORTANT Select your Interface Version (AXSWC or AXSWC-2) below for additional instructions, feedback information, and troubleshooting specific to that interface version.

NOTE If you’ve exhausted every troubleshooting step offered, contact Technical Support.

On This Page

• → Header Synced Blocks
• →→ Simple Grounding
• Vehicle Installation Instructions
• Connections
• Aftermarket Radio Harness
• Vehicle Connection(s) to Factory Harness
• →→ Complex Grounding
• Vehicle Installation Instructions
• Connections
• → Programming Synced Blocks
• →→ Tap Method Synced Block
• Programming the Steering Wheel Controller
• →→ Auto Detect Method Synced Block
• Programming the Steering Wheel Controller
• →→ Hold Method Synced Block
• Programming the Steering Wheel Controller
• → Additional Settings/Details/Troubleshooting Synced Block
• Resetting the Steering Wheel Controller
• Radios with Built-In SWC Menus
• LED Feedback
• Changing Radio Type
• Button Remapping
• Dual Assignment Instructions
• Troubleshooting
• → Radio Troubleshooting
• Manual Programming
• → SUBDIVIDED Additional Settings/Details/Troubleshooting Synced Block BOTH
• Resetting the Steering Wheel Controller
• Additional Instructions, Feedback Information, & Troubleshooting
• → SUBDIVIDED Additional Settings/Details/Troubleshooting Synced Block AXSWC ONLY
• Resetting the Steering Wheel Controller
• Additional Instructions, Feedback Information, & Troubleshooting