Ok...I wanted to give everyone a quick heads up about installing and using a PAL (personal audio link)...simply because it is not as easy as you may initially think...

First off I ordered my PAL through GM parts zone. They were really good about processing the order and getting it to me fast (big kudoos). The salesperson even told me they had 50+ on hand (this probably should have raised my suspicions)....

So it arrived last night and I thought, "Great...all I have to do it pop out the radio, plug in the harnesses, and go"...wrong!

The PAL consists of a modular (2 x 3 x 4") with a harness and cables...oh and crappy installation instructions along with a instruction booklet.

This is what my fiancee and I learned during the install:
1.) Getting the trim clips to let go so that you can take off the trim off is more difficult than initially thought (use a screwdriver to pry and use some force)
2.) The installation requires a special GM part (J-hook) to pry out a wire connection in the orginal harness
3.) You will be cutting a wire
4.) You will have to do some re-wiring
5.) You will require a tech 2 in order to get your XM to alternate with your ipod
6.) If you mount the module in the location given in the instructions the ipod link cable will be long enough you can put the ipod in the pokect on the driver's side (run it under the steering column and over the support bar)...you do not have to drill any holes in your glovebox or put the ipod in the glovebox.

Basically you should have a dealer install this item unless you do not mind losing your XM capabilities...right now I am trying to find a dealer that is willing to spend 5 mins with the car and a tech 2 so that I can get my XM back.

Lessons learned on the PAL itself:
1.) Yes it works through the radio controls - but it takes a few seconds for the controls to register (ie. press the corresponding skip button on the radio and it takes a second to perform the function)...this is also true for the steering controls
2.) You have a set of 8 'categories'. Basically what you have is options in categories 1-3, category 4 is all about the language display, and catergories 5-8 repeats categories 1-4 (yep, that is right..it is pretty stupid)
3.) The instruction manual is pretty straight forward...except that it doesn't tell you that you can ONLY change options in categories 5-8, not 1-4 (why they are there; I have no idea)....

Now keep in mind that we installed this item at home without a tech 2. Hopefully the tech 2 will work out the 8 category glitch and make the programming easier. I will keep you guys posted....

 

When I had my Cobalt, my 8Gb Nano (current generation) was much faster/more responsive to inputs than my 30Gb Classic (5th Gen). Which iPod do you have?

Also it goes AM-->FM-->XM-->AM-->FM-->iPod

I never had to tech 2 my car, it was already enabled, just try hitting the band button a few times.

Overall its better than having it plugged into the aux port, but the implementation left a lot to be desired. I would change the interface and the way it runs, and the mute button the steering wheel should be pause.

FYI - Categories 1-4 repeat 5-8, not sure why, but the tech 2 programming won't change any of the iPod PAL functionality.

 

The nano will always be faster than the regular ones. That has nothing to do with the interface at all. It has everything to do with the speed of accessing the flash drive on the nano and the speed of access on the HDD on the regular ones. I believe the new touch ones sport the flash drives as well.

 

Yeah I found this out too I am goign to have the dealer finish the install I just dont want to cut the wrong wire

 

See here...
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...t=68692&page=2

 

Excelent thanks!!

 

Ok guys here is an update...

My ipod is the video nano (3rd gen - 8gb). Once I had the dealer re-program with the tech 2 the bugs seemed to have disappeared. Now you can program in the first 4 categories (although it still repeats those same categories for category 5-8) and the response time is faster (although there is still a lag between when you press the button and when the PAL responds). Once you get used to the steering wheel controls (you have to press and hold for a second for the PAL to respond) it works great. It cost $45 to re-program the car and about 30mins total. Bottom line: If you are dependent on your ipod (don't listen to the radio or XM) it is worth the hassel otherwise just make do with the AUX connection.

 

I did it in 15 mins outside in WJ. I ruined my XM, but I dont have it anymore so :P

Also you coming to RMR friday?

 

I thought about letting the XM go, but it beats the hell out of plain old radio. Yeah, Josh and I are coming. He is thinking about racing the WRX but still needs a bit of convincing... Is there a food sign up? I volunteered to bring baked beans (ought to get interesting).

Besides I have to show off the latest exterior/interior mods....

 

Nice, can't wait to see. He should to! It'll be fun, he just has to register before friday.

 

Im resurrecting this thread to find out if anyone here that installed their P.A.L, if they are having any issues with XM radio. With the PAL installed, Ill be listening to XM say channel 41, and while listening, the channel will switch to channel X0 on and off every few seconds, unitl I cycle the band switch. If anyone has had this problem please let me know and what you might have done to fix it. Thanks

 

Thats a common problem without the PAL, mine did that all the time, its something else.

 

My XM cuts out also, but I believe that has to with the reception in my area not the PAL....if there was an issue with your PAL the XM station you are listening to would cycle back to XM1 (your ipod) instead of XM0 (no reception)

 

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