Car Radio Help Center

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Audio Adapter Box Question

Jeff

Watched the installation video before installing. Video shows the need to hook up an “audio adapter box”. This piece was not included in my package. The written instructions with the unit don’t mention this piece. Is this not needed? Thanks for your help - Jeff

Leo

Jeff
Hi Jeff,

Thanks for your question!

The audio adapter box is only required if your original vehicle comes with the factory BOSE sound system.

You can confirm whether your 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 has the BOSE system in two simple ways:

Check the door speakers – If you see a “BOSE” logo on the speaker grille (see image below), then your vehicle has the BOSE system and you will need the audio adapter box.

Check the factory radio power plug – If the original harness only has power wires (positive and ground) and no speaker wires, this also indicates a BOSE system setup, meaning the audio signals are routed through a factory amplifier, and again, the audio adapter box is required (see example image below).

If your vehicle does not have the BOSE system, then you can proceed with the installation without the audio adapter box.

Best regards,
Leo

2013GMC

[Login to see the link] Is adapter box required for 2013 GMC Yukon SLT with Bose sound system? In the directions, it does not mention an audio adapter. An extra instruction sheet included with your product shows AMP Control wire (in RCA cable bundle) should be spliced into the red accessory wire (in radio power harness). Right now, I have sound from my 2 front speakers but only low static noise from all other speakers.

Leo

2013GMC
Hello, for the 2013 GMC Yukon SLT, an audio adapter box is typically not required.

Please refer to the wiring harness shown in the image:

The connectors marked as 1 and 2 are the same type.
If your vehicle does not have a Bose sound system, connect to the connector labeled 1 with the factory plug.
If your vehicle does have a Bose system, connect to the connector labeled 2.

If you’ve followed the above instructions but still get no sound from the rear speakers, please do the following:
Cut pin 18 on the 20-pin CANBUS connector (as shown in the image below).

2013GMC

[Login to see the link] Thank you for the response and additional guidance. Unfortunately, neither one of your fixes worked but I decided to try to use the #1 plug instead of the #2 plug and it worked. I now have sound coming out of all speakers.

I cut the wire you mentioned in your previous response but I am not seeing anything affected. What is that wire for on the #1 plug so I look for any possible issues?

Do you have any idea why the sound increases a lot each time the volume up or down volume is pressed? When I am at volume level 4 or 5 the sound is already very loud. Is there a way to adjust the amount the sound increases or decreases each time the volume buttons are pushed on the unit or on the steering wheel controls?

Leo

2013GMC
Regarding the wire you mentioned (pin 18 on the 20-pin CANBUS connector), it has no effect in actual use, so cutting it is perfectly fine and nothing to worry about.

As for the issue where each press of the steering wheel volume button increases the volume by several levels, please refer to the two protocol options shown below.
Try adjusting the protocol setting to match the configuration in the image and see if that improves the volume step behavior.

2013GMC

Leo Thank you for confirmation about the wire you had me cut.

I had the settings exactly like you have in the 2nd screenshot initially. I changed the settings to the match the 1st screenshot but there was no change to the volume step behavior. When vehicle is stopped, changing the volume above level 2 or 3 max is still quite loud. I did not have this issue with the original OEM head. Are there any sound adjustments on your device that could affect the level of sound change for each step. FYI…..there is no difference if I change volume with the device volume controls or if I use the steering wheel controls.

Leo

2013GMC
Hi, thank you for your detailed feedback!

Based on your description, there seem to be two separate sound-related issues:

The volume increases or decreases too much with each button press
Even at low volume levels (e.g., 3–4), the sound is already too loud

Here’s what we suggest:

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✅ Step 1: Update Protocol Options & Adjust Output Gain

Please open the App Store and update the app related to protocol settings.
Then, refer to the guide in this post:
🔗 [Login to see the link]

Also, go to:
Settings > Sound > Amplifier Output Gain
Try lowering the output gain and see if the volume steps behave more normally.

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✅ Step 2: Provide Device Version Information

We’d like to check your software version. Please go to:
Settings > System > About Device
and send us a photo or list of the version details shown on that screen.

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✅ Step 3: If Step 1 Does Not Help

If the issue remains the same after trying Step 1, please follow the guide here:
🔗[Login to see the link]

And upload a short video showing the debug info printed on screen while you reproduce the volume issue.