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USA Spec iPod® Interface for GM Connects your iPod to select 2006-up GM LAN factory stereos

Item # 581PA20GM

You can take it with you.

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You can take it with you.

3 questions - 20 answers

Item # 581PA20GM

About the USA Spec iPod® Interface for GM

Zak Billmeier
You can take it with you. Just because you've got a GM LAN factory radio or navigation receiver in your General Motors vehicle, doesn't mean you have to leave your iPod at home. Just install USA Spec's GM PA20-GM iPod interface — it allows you to listen to all your favorite tunes through your car's speakers, and to control song and playlist selections right from your radio. And with your iPhone® connected, you can even stream music from popular Internet services like PANDORA®, Livio Radio, iHeartRadio, and more.

You can take it with you. Just because you've got a GM LAN factory radio or navigation receiver in your General Motors vehicle, doesn't mean you have to leave your iPod at home. Just install USA Spec's GM PA20-GM iPod interface — it allows you to listen to all your favorite tunes through your car's speakers, and to control song and playlist selections right from your radio. And with your iPhone® connected, you can even stream music from popular Internet services like PANDORA®, Livio Radio, iHeartRadio, and more.

Just mount the compact interface box in a hidden location in your vehicle, and connect the interface to the XM input on your compatible 2006-up GM LAN factory radio. Plug your iPod into the interface and you'll control and charge your iPod while you drive.

Please enter your vehicle information and check Installation Details to find out if this interface is compatible with your vehicle. You can also call an Advisor at 1-888-955-6000 for help.

Compatibility Note: If you have a newer iPod/iPhone device with a Lightning connector, then you will also need Apple's Lightning to 30-pin adapter. Be sure to check "Details" for specific iPod model compatibility with this iPod adapter.

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Product highlights:

  • iPod connection interface for select 2006-up XM-ready GM LAN factory stereos
  • manage the iPod via your radio's controls
  • when iPhone is connected, you can stream tunes from popular Internet services like PANDORA®, Livo Radio, and iHeartRadio
  • adjust volume, track up/down, fast forward/rewind
  • warranty: 1 year
  • MFR # PA20-GM

What's in the box:

  • PA20-GM iPod to GM (LAN Bus) interface module
  • 10' DIN-cable with a female multi-pin proprietary connector on one end and a male multi-pin proprietary connector on other end
  • 4' DIN-to-Molex connector cable
  • 6' iPod to interface cable (CB-PA105)
  • User Manual

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More details on the USA Spec iPod® Interface for GM

Stacey B.

Product Research

Features

Overview: This interface adapter (PA20-GM) connects a compatible iPod directly to select GM LAN audio systems. The adapter's on-board software translates commands from GM radio into commands that iPod understands. This interface enables the iPod to be integrated into XM band and provides the following benefits.

  • Directs the iPod's audio output to your GM's vehicle audio system for optimal sound quality playback.
  • Supports your iPhone's audio streaming apps, such as Pandora, Livio, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM & more (in Direct mode only).
  • Controls the iPod via vehicle's radio and steering wheel controls (when applicable).
  • Charges the iPod's internal battery, and charging stops automatically at one hour after the iPod is paused. The iPod goes into sleep mode when charging stops.

Vehicle Compatibility: The PA20-GM is compatible with GM 29-bit radios and GM navigation radios that features a CAT button and is XM ready. This interface adapter is able to co-exist with a factory installed XM receiver, built-in CD changer or CD player. The PA20-GM interface is compatible with the following vehicles:

Buick Chevy GMC Saturn
2008 Enclave (Nav only) 2006-2008 Avalanche 2007-2008 Acadia (Nav only) 2008 Aura
2007-2008 Lucerne (Nav only) 2008 Cobalt 2007-2008 Sierra 2007-2008 Outlook
Cadillac 2007-2008 Equinox 2007-2008 Yukon 2007-2008 Sky
2006-2008 DTS 2006-2009 HHR 2007-2008 Yukon Denali 2008 Vue
2007-2008 Escalade 2006-2009 Impala Pontiac *****
2007-2008 EVS 2008-2009 Malibu 2007-2008 Solistice *****
2007-2008 EXT 2007-2008 Silverado 2008 G5 *****
Hummer 2007-2009 Suburban 2009 Vibe *****
2008 H2 2007-2009 Tahoe 2008 Torrent *****

Note: If the vehicle is not equipped with an XM receiver, you will need either the CB-GL20 or CB-GL11 adapter cable. Please consult the Crutchfield Car Selector to see if your vehicle is compatible.

Specific Features: The PA20-GM can be used with most new GM LAN radios for CHEVY, BUICK, GMC, Pontiac and more. The interface supports full on-screen menu, control, display and select for NAVIGATION style radios; and on-screen search select for Artist, Album, Song on all radios. The adapter supports full text support for both style radios.

iPod Compatibility: The PA20-GM is "Made for iPod/iPhone" compatible and supports the following iPod/iPhone model features when connected to a compatible GM factory radio (as of 3/4/2015):

iPod/iPhone Model Generation Tested Version Media Type Control Type Display Type Charge
Audio Video Head Unit iPod/iPhone Song/Artist Text Track Info
iPhone 2G 3.1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
3G 4.2.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
3GS 5.1.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
4/4S 7.1.2 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
5/5C5S* 8.1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
6+/6* 8.1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
touch 1st 2.2.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
2nd 4.2.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
3rd 5.1.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
4th 6.1.2 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
5th* 8.1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
nano 1st 1.3.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
2nd/3rd 1.1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
4th 1.0.4 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
5th 1.0.2 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
6th 1.2 PC Y N Y Y Y Y Y
7th* 1.2 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
classic 80GB 1.1.2 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
120GB 2.0.1 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
160GB 2.0.4 Y N Y Y Y Y Y
video 5th 1.3 Y N Y Y Y Y Y

Notes:

  • *Requires Apple Lightning to 30-pin Adapter (sold separately).
  • Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may change functionality results. If you download a newer software version, you may need to reset the head unit and your iPod/iPhone to regain functionality. If this doesn't work, you may need to wait until a newer software update is available.

iPod Text: The PA20-GM provides text based menu on the radio display to access Artist, Album and Playlist folders of your iPod.

Operation Modes: The iPod interface adapter features the following modes of operation.

  • Playlist Mode: You can create up to 6 favorite mobile playlist then use your radio's CD changer controls to access and control your playlist.
  • Direct Mode: Gives you complete control of your iPod while it is connected to the factory radio. Your iPod is not locked out while connected to the radio and you are able to manually access your complete iPod content. The Radio still can adjust song up/down random or shuffle play but you can manually control your iPod and select any playlist, genre or Artist of your choice.
  • Hybrid Mode: Combines features of Direct Mode and Playlist Mode. You can create and access your favorite mobile playlist or directly access all your iPod content manually on your iPod. Your iPod displays song title information and iPod is not locked, so the iPod can be operated manually at all times. (Some iPods may not work in the Hybrid mode.)

App Streaming (in Direct Mode): Direct mode also lets you listen to the sound from your iPhone's downloaded music apps (such as Pandora, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM, etc.) through your factory head unit & speakers. You will continue to control your iPhone's apps & view song/artist information from its touchscreen.

Note: Your iPhone will need an active Data Plan account with connection to the Internet via 3G, EDGE, or WiFi. You will also need applicable music service accounts.

iPod Controls: The PA20-GM provides the following iPod controls from your GM factory radio.

  • Playlist: Allows you to access your iPod's Playlist folders. The 1st Playlist is the All Song folder on your iPod by default.
  • Artist: Allows you to access your iPod's Artist folders.
  • Album: Allows access of your iPod's Album folders.
  • Random: Playback of all your iPod tracks in random order.
  • 10x: You can skip ahead or backward 10 tracks of your iPod.
  • iShortcut: This is a "shortcut" to return to your connected iPod from any band of your vehicle's radio. Your iPod will begin playback from the last track played.

Auxiliary Input: In addition to the iPod input on the PA20-GM there is an auxiliary input (stereo RCA) for use with another source, such as a DVD system, satellite radio, or game system. This aux input can be used with or without the iPod connected. To use the auxiliary input on the interface, dip switch #1 must be set to the "On" position.

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Customer Q&A

3 questions already asked

Q
Does it display the song name and artist on the stereo face?
carl  Mar 18, 2014
7 answers
A
sometimes i think it depends on how it was downloaded on the player
dan  Mar 20, 2014
A
Yes and you have control from the steering wheel if equipped
kevin  Mar 19, 2014
A
Yes it does it displays
dashawna  Mar 19, 2014
A
Yes
patrick  Mar 19, 2014
A
No, it does not. It relays basically no information back to the head unit.
nathaniel h  Mar 19, 2014
A
Yes it displays both artist and song name
brad  Mar 19, 2014
A
Yes it does. Considering that it's a third party product, I was pretty impressed with how well it works!
brad  Mar 19, 2014
Q
Is it easy to attach the adapter behind the glove box and feed the cable out of the dash (perhaps on the bottom) so that it can be used with a phone mounted on the dash?
jims.  Jan 06, 2014
10 answers
A
Yes there are ample places to exit from outside of the glove box or if you mount the unit below the stock head unit you can drop the ipod wire between the trim where the 12v cigarette lighters are located
jeremiah  Jan 08, 2014
A
hi there no problem putting it behind the glove box. device that I use stays in the glove box
dashawna  Jan 08, 2014
A
I just placed the adapter in the left side of the glovebox and routed the cable under the center console to armrest and have my iPhone there. Works great!
clarence h  Jan 07, 2014
A
Wish that I could help, but my application was to connect to the XM adapter in the trunk and run the cable to the center console. The cable is plenty long enough for this.
jason  Jan 07, 2014
A
Yes, the hardest part was figuring out if I wanted to use Velcro or zip ties. Super easy to install. Cloths hanger comes in handy when fishing the cable through the dash from the glove box.
patrick  Jan 07, 2014
A
Yes it is.
richard  Jan 06, 2014
A
Yes
evan  Jan 06, 2014
A
Yes, there is plenty of wire to reach a phone mount on the dash.
nicki  Jan 06, 2014
A
I ran mine through the center console in my Denali. Removing the center was a pain but well worth it. The phone is closer to me and easier to access while driving.
jason d  Jan 06, 2014
A
Its a very simple connection, I have a Tahoe and ran the cable under the center console and then when not in use I could hide it behind the plastic. Hope that helps, its a pretty easy fix
kevin  Jan 06, 2014
Q
Does it work with an iPhone? Is there a way to connect without compromising xm radio?
scott  Dec 04, 2013
3 answers
A
Dont use a iphone any more switch to samsung works great with a ipod also it will not compromise using satellite radio very happy with it
dashawna  Dec 05, 2013
A
Definitely will work with iPhone for access to music, not sure about this particular interface with GM but I know when I installed a similar interface in an Infiniti M35 the iPod selection took the place of the satellite function (XM/Sirius) source on my factory Bose system, Crutchfield tech advisors should be able to answer that part of your question, they know their products very well, I'd call them and ask.
david  Dec 05, 2013
A
I dont have the xm subscription in my car I have it on my phone. But when xm has free previews I can hit the direct button on my radio display and you can toggle between your xm and iphone. Just hit the butto again. Hope that helps. I have iphone 4s
kevin  Dec 05, 2013

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