GPS vs XM Antenna Wires

Hi all,

I recently installed a

$861 Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX 7" Capacitive Touchscreen, Double Din – Wireless & Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Bluetooth, CD/DVD, SD Card, USB, Backup Camera, HD Radio, SiriusXM, FLAC, Hi-Volt RCA

Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX and wanted to retain the factory GPS antenna. I ordered the idatalink

$30 ACC-SAT-TO2 Sat Radio and GPS Antenna adaptors for TO2 Vehicles

ACC-SAT-TO2 from sonicelectronix and of course it had two XM adapters and no pioneer GPS adapter. Amazon was able to send me the correct wires. The connections for XM and GPS use the same connector and was wondering which is which.

I think this is GPS:

and this is XM because it’s in the same harness as the radio antenna (shark fin).


Thanks in advance!

 

I have an SR5, so I am pretty sure that there is no GPS wire, and my XM radio antenna looks like your picture #1.

Side note - did that cord from Amazon fit both your XM antenna and gps antenna?

 

Well crap that is confusing because I thought for sure the XM used the shark fin and the gps was behind the dash.


light green is for pioneer gps. Black connector is for XM. But yes, the teal end fits both connectors in the vehicle.

 

Okay thanks. I'm looking for the XM adapter, but I don't need the other two. Are you able to find a link for just the XM one in your photo? Or the name of the connector type if it isn't proprietary to Maestro?

I'm 99% sure that my xm radio antenna was a white plastic connector like your photo #1 and not dark like #2. Either way though, it is an easy test. Hook it up to your XM and see if it works.

 

I can probably send you mine as I have no plans on using XM since just use the app with carplay. DM me.

I wish I had an XM box to test it. It’s unclear how the pioneer uses the gps antenna because navigation seems to work fine without it hooked up. I’m guessing it works in conjunction with the phones gps and saves battery. Maybe somebody else knows.

 

Not sure, but if you are using the phone for navigation through carplay, obviously you wouldn't need the GPS antenna at all. If your head unit has built in GPS capabilities then that would use the antenna... Doubt it would help save data on your phone though.

I'll DM you. That would be sweet, because I have an external XM receiver that I would love to use with the factory antenna!

 

I’ve read on other forums that the gps traffic data and the weather function is through the HD radio so that might be why it is hooked through the “shark fin”

 

I think you're correct. I remember the GPS going to the left in the dash...

 

thanks. I think I found my answer here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pioneer-avic-w8400nex-installation-and-review.570282/page-2#post-19016978

 

The SR5 "does" have a GPS antenna (and antenna wire) and it "is" the white connector. The XM antenna connector is the Grey.

I just recently removed my EnTune (+) HU and installed an EnTune Premium HU (with built-in nav) in my SR5.

 

Hmmm I don't remember the 2nd connector. I might have just bundled it up and dropped it down behind the dash though when I realized I didn't need it. Its possible... It has been a while.

 

I don't have a picture of my new HU installed. Guess I need to take one.

 

Just to add to the discussion. In some Pioneer models, you have to have the GPS connected as it sets the clock and I think one other item. I know the clock cannot be manually set. I have the

$1,100 DMH-WC6600NEX 9" Capacitive Touchscreen, Modular Chassis – Wireless & Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, HD Radio, FLAC, Backup Camera, Hi-Volt RCA

DMH-WC6600NEX and I am having issues with the iData link adapter cable. I have tried connecting to the black connector and the white one and it doesn't seem to matter. I popped the one in the Pioneer box into the radio and the error for no GPS antenna goes away. I have the JBL premium system in a 21 Limited edition that is only weeks away from getting majorly upgraded but the new head unit is a huge step.

 

Back when I started this thread I had the W4500NEX in my 2017 OR w/ Premium JBL. I have since upgraded to the WC6600NEX. Same connection with the adapter for GPS. Maybe you have a bad cable? Black is for XM, which I don’t have hooked up. Maybe somebody with a 2021 can chime in.

 

You can only get the iData cables for XM and satellite as a set (like $20). One is XM, one is for Pioneer and the other is Kenwood/JVC and Alpine I think

 

Thank you. I'll make sure I am using the white connection. Would be nice if they had tagged the cables but of course they don't want owners to do any upgrades.

 

I have a 21 Tacoma Limited and considering a HU upgrade to a Pioneer WC6600NEX. I have a couple of questions.

Will I still retain GPS in the HU?
Will the Panoramic Camera view of the Limited be retained?

 

I just installed the WC6600NEX (9" headunit) and you will need an adapter cable (Maestro Acc-SAT-T02) that contains 3 cables. One is for XM radio, the other two are for GPS antenna hook up. The little green connector is for the Pioneer. I have it but I apparently got a bad cable and it doesn't work. I checked it against the one in the Pioneer box and it works so Crutchfield refunded my money. You will need to get an iData Maestro RR or something similar due to all the complexities. I am guessing you already know that. If you go to iData's website, they will show you what you need.

What dashkit are you using? You will need to modify the factory brackets I believe and there are several kits but I don't think any of them will flush mount this. I know the Scoshe kit (metal brackets) has the headunit sticking out about 1/2 inch.

 

Easiest is to just drill mounting holes in the factory brackets. No dash kit required.

 

So I purchased a Pioneer dmh-w3000nex. I have the datalink adapter kit. The Sirius/XM cable fits but the GPS cable does not. Anyone happen to know of a suitable alternative?

Alternatively, could I just cut off the plug on the Pioneer antenna and cut off the plug on the adapter and solder the Pioneer plug to it? Are there any issues I’d run into?