AX-MC90082 - Audio Interface Metra - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Data interface with steering wheel control retention
Compatible Vehicles	Mercedes ML (W164) and GL (X164) with MOST25 amplifier (2005-2011)
Interface Features	Provides accessory power, retains RAP, designed for amplified models, provides NAV outputs (parking brake, reverse, speed sense), retains steering wheel audio controls, retains balance, Micro-B USB updatable
Components Included	AX-MC90082 interface, AX-MC90082 amplifier interface, ASWC-1 interface, AX-MC90082 harness, ASWC-1 harness, female 3.5mm connector with stripped leads
Power Input	12V DC (via vehicle harness: black ground, yellow battery, red accessory)
Audio Outputs	Front amplifier output RCA jacks (red/white)
Steering Wheel Control Interface	ASWC-1 with automatic vehicle and radio detection, programmable via steering wheel volume-up button
LED Feedback	Green flashes indicate wire connections, red flashes indicate radio brand (18 possible)
Compatible Radio Brands	Eclipse, Kenwood, Clarion, Sony, Dual, JVC, Pioneer, Jensen, Alpine, Visteon, Valor, Metra OE, LG, Parrot, XITE, Philips, JBL, and others
Installation Requirements	Wire cutter, crimp tool, solder gun, tape, connectors; ignition must be off during installation
Fiber Optic Connection	Factory MOST fiber optic cable connects to amplifier interface; dust cover must be removed before connecting
USB Updatability	Micro-B USB port for firmware updates
Programming Method	Hold volume-up on steering wheel, turn ignition on, auto-detection with LED flashing sequence
Additional Wires (Multimedia/Navigation)	Blue/Pink (VSS), Green/Purple (reverse), Light Green (parking brake)
Safety Note	All accessories, switches, climate controls, and air bag indicators must be connected before cycling ignition; do not remove factory radio with key on or engine running

Frequently Asked Questions - AX-MC90082 Metra

What vehicles is the Metra AX-MC90082 compatible with?

The AX-MC90082 is designed for select Mercedes ML (W164) and GL (X164) models from 2005-2011 equipped with the MOST25 amplifier. Check your vehicle's audio system before purchase.

Does the interface retain steering wheel controls?

Yes, the included ASWC-1 interface retains factory steering wheel audio controls. It supports many aftermarket radio brands and can be programmed automatically.

How do I program the steering wheel controls?

Press and hold the Volume-Up button on the steering wheel, then turn the ignition on. The ASWC-1 will auto-detect the vehicle and radio via LED flashes. Release the button when the LED stays solid. See manual for custom button assignment.

What do the red LED flashes mean during programming?

The red flashes indicate the radio brand detected by the ASWC-1. For example, 5 flashes means JVC, 6 flashes means Pioneer/Jensen. Refer to the LED feedback legend in the manual for all 18 possibilities.

I have a Kenwood radio but the ASWC-1 shows JVC (5 flashes). What should I do?

The ASWC-1 may misdetect. You can manually change the radio type. The manual explains how to switch between Kenwood and JVC detection. Alternatively, contact Metra tech support.

How do I connect the fiber optic cable?

Remove the gray dust cover from the amplifier interface. Insert the factory fiber optic cable into the port. Use a pick tool to release the cable from the original connector if needed. Refer to the 'How to remove Fiber Optic cables' section in the manual.

Which wires from the aftermarket radio connect to the AX-MC90082 harness?

Connect: Black to ground, Yellow to battery, Red to accessory, Orange (if present) to illumination, Blue to amp turn-on, Brown to mute. For navigation radios connect Blue/Pink (VSS), Green/Purple (reverse), Light Green (parking brake). Tape off unused wires.

Can I use this interface with a Parrot radio?

Yes, but you need the AX-SWC-PARROT adapter (sold separately) and the Parrot radio must be updated to software rev. 2.1.4 or higher. Connect the 3.5mm jack from ASWC-1 to the adapter.

Is the interface updatable?

Yes, the AX-MC90082 has a Micro-B USB port for firmware updates. Check Metra's website for latest firmware and instructions.

What should I do if the steering wheel controls don't work after installation?

Verify all connections, especially the 3.5mm jack to the aftermarket radio's SWC port. Check the LED feedback during programming to ensure correct radio detection. Try resetting the ASWC-1 by pressing the reset button for 3 seconds. If issues persist, contact Metra tech support at 1-800-253-TECH.

USER MANUAL AX-MC90082 Metra

Exterior view of various electronic components including capacitors, connectors, and audio/video cables (no text or symbols visible)

Mercedes ML (W164) (with M.O.S.T. 25 amplifier) Data Interface with SWC 2005-2011 Mercedes GL (X164) (with M.O.S.T. 25 amplifier) Data Interface with SWC 2006-2010

INTERFACE FEATURES

• Provides accessory power
• Retains R.A.P. (retained accessory power)
• Designed for amplified models
• Provides NAV outputs (parking brake, reverse, speed sense)
• Retains audio controls on the steering wheel
• Retains balance
• Micro-B USB updatable

INTERFACE COMPONENTS

• AX-MC90082 interface
• AX-MC90082 amplifier interface
• ASWC-1 interface
• AX-MC90082 harness
• ASWC-1 harness
  • Female 3.5mm connector with stripped leads

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Connections 2
Installation 3
Programming 3

TOOLS REQUIRED

- Wire cutter • Crimp tool • Solder gun • Tape - Connectors (example: butt-connectors, bell caps, etc.)

CAUTION! All accessories, switches, climate controls panels, and especially air bag indicator lights must be connected before cycling the ignition. Also, do not remove the factory radio with the key in the on position, or while the vehicle is running.

CONNECTIONS

From the aftermarket radio to the AX-MC90082 harness:

• Connect the Black wire to the ground wire.
• Connect the Yellow wire to the battery wire.
• Connect the Red wire to the accessory wire.
• If the aftermarket radio has an illumination wire, connect the Orange wire to it.
• Connect the Blue wire to the amp turn on wire of the new radio. *
  * Blue wire triggers the factory antenna booster as well as the fiber-optic box.
• Connect the Brown wire to the mute wire.

The following (3) wires are only for multimedia/navigation radios that require these wires.

• Connect the Blue/Pink wire to the VSS/speed sense wire.
• Connect the Green/Purple wire to the reverse wire.
• Connect the Light Green wire to the parking brake wire.
• Tape off and disregard the following (8) wires, they will not be used in this application: Gray, Gray/Black, Green, Green/Black, Purple, Purple/Black, White, White/Black
• Connect the Red and White RCA jacks to the front amplifier output jacks of the aftermarket radio.

From the aftermarket radio to the ASWC-1 harness:

This harness is only to be used if the vehicle is equipped with steering wheel controls.

- Connect the Red wire to the accessory wire.

- For the radios listed below, connect the female 3.5mm connector with stripped leads, to the male 3.5mm SWC jack from the ASWC-1 harness. Any remaining wires tape off and disregard

• Eclipse: Connect the steering wheel control wire, normally Brown, to the Brown/White wire of the connector. Then connect the remaining steering wheel control wire, normally Brown/White, to the Brown wire of the connector.
• Metra OE: Connect the steering wheel control Key 1 wire (Gray) to the Brown wire.
• Kenwood or select JVC with a steering wheel control wire: Connect the Blue/Yellow wire to the Brown wire.
• XITE: Connect the steering wheel control SWC-2 wire from the radio to the Brown wire
• Parrot Asteroid Smart or Tablet: Connect the 3.5mm jack into the AX-SWC-PARROT (sold separately), and then connect the 4-pin connector from the AX-SWC-PARROT into the radio

Note: The radio must be updated to rev. 2.1.4 or higher software.

- Universal "2 or 3 wire" radio: Connect the steering wheel control wire, referred to as Key-A or SWC-1, to the Brown wire of the connector. Then connect the remaining steering wheel control wire, referred to as Key-B or SWC-2, to the Brown/White wire of the connector. If the radio comes with a third wire for ground, disregard this wire.

Note: After the interface has been programmed to the vehicle, refer to the manual provided with the radio for assigning the SWC buttons. Contact the radio manufacturer for more information.

- For all other radios: Connect the 3.5mm jack from the ASWC-1 harness, into the jack on the aftermarket radio designated for an external steering wheel control interface. Please refer to the aftermarket radios manual if in doubt as to where the 3.5mm jack goes to.

INSTALLATION

With the key in the off position:

• Connect the AX-MC90082 harness to the AX-MC90082 interface.
• Connect the AX-MC90082 harness to the AX-MC90082 amplifier interface.
• Remove the dust cover from fiber optic port in the AX-MC90082 amplifier interface.
• Connect the factory fiber optic cable into the AX-MC90082 amplifier interface.
• Connect the AX-MC90082 harness to the wiring harness in the vehicle.
• Connect the ASWC-1 harness to the ASWC-1 interface, and then to the AX-MC90082 interface.

PROGRAMMING

• Press and hold the Volume-Up button on the steering wheel.
• Turn the ignition on, the L.E.D. in the ASWC-1 interface will start flashing rapidly, which means the ASWC-1 is looking for the vehicle and the radio.

Note: If the L.E.D. did not start flashing rapidly, press the reset button for 3 seconds, while still holding the Volume-Up button.

• After a few seconds the L.E.D. should stop flashing rapidly, and then go out for approximately 2 seconds
- After approximately 2 seconds there will be a series of 7 Green flashes, some short, and some long. The long flashes represent the wires that are connected to the ASWC-1. The 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th flashes should be longer.

Tip: Knowing this will help to troubleshoot, if need be.

• The L.E.D. will pause for another 2 seconds, and then flash Red up to 18 times depending on which radio is connected to the ASWC-1. Refer to the L.E.D. feedback section for information.
• This is the end of the auto detection stage. Release from holding the Volume-Up button. If the ASWC-1 detected the vehicle and the radio successfully, the L.E.D. will light up solid.
• Test the steering wheel controls for proper operation. Refer to the ASWC-1 instructions online at axxessinterfaces.com for customizing the buttons, if so desired.

PROGRAMMING (CONT.)

L.E.D. feedback

The (18) Red L.E.D. flashes represent what brand radio the ASWC-1 believes it is connected to. Each flash represents a different radio manufacturer. For example, if you are installing a JVC radio, the ASWC-1 will flash (5) times. Following is a legend that dictates which manufacturer corresponds to which flash.

L.E.D. feedback legend

1 flash - Eclipse (Type 1) †	10 flashes - Clarion (Type 2) †
2 flashes - Kenwood ‡	11 flashes - Metra OE
3 flashes - Clarion (Type 1) ‡	12 flashes - Eclipse (Type 2) ‡
4 flashes - Sony / Dual	13 flashes - LG
5 flashes - JVC	14 flashes - Parrot **
6flashes - Pioneer / Jensen	15 flashes - XITE
7 flashes - Alpine *	16 flashes - Philips
8 flashes - Visteon	17 flashes - TBD
9 flashes - Valor	18 flashes - JBL

* Note: If the ASWC-1 flashes Red (7) times, and you do not have an Alpine radio connected to it, that means the ASWC-1 does not detect a radio connected it. Verify that the 3.5mm jack is connected to the correct steering wheel jack/wire in the radio.
** Note: Part number AX-SWC-PARROT is required (sold separately). Also, the Parrot radio must be updated to rev. 2.1.4 or higher through www.parrot.com.

^+ Note: If you have a Clarion radio and the steering wheel controls do not work, change the radio type to the other Clarion radio type; same for Eclipse. The following section explains how to do this

Note: If you have a Kenwood radio and the L.E.D. feedback comes back as showing as a JVC radio, change the radio type to a Kenwood. The following section explains how to do this.

AX-MC90082 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

IMPORTANT

If you are having difficulties with the installation of this product, please call our Tech Support line at 1-800-253-TECH. Before doing so, look over the instructions a second time, and make sure the installation was performed exactly as the instructions are stated. Please have the vehicle apart and ready to perform troubleshooting steps before calling.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Enhance your installation and fabrication skills by enrolling in the most recognized and respected mobile electronics school in our industry. Log onto www.installerinstitute.com or call 800-354-6782 for more information and take steps toward a better tomorrow.

Metra recommends MECP certified technicians

How to remove Fiber Optic cables from OE connectors

Close-up of a black plastic electrical connector with orange and pink wires, showing internal wiring and a green arrow pointing to the connector (no text or symbols visible)

Step 1.) Using a pick tool, carefully pull this tab towards the outside edge, then gently pull the fiber optic cable from the connector. (The fiber optic cables are in a plastic insert and will not come apart)

Step 2.) Remove the plastic insert from the fiber module (Fig a.), remove the gray dust cover (Fig b.), and insert the fiber cables, then plug the connector back in to the fiber decoder.

Close-up of a black remote control device with a circular connector and grid pattern (no visible text or symbols)

Figure A

Close-up of a blue plastic connector with two gray plastic components, no visible text or symbols.

Figure B

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