Jan 2026 ! :

New Year.. New Love ..

And.. New work to do on the Avalanche.  So first thing right away is the exhaust  manifold leaks. As I write this it’s in the shop having that done.  And then before winter is done… the knock sensors will be done and hopefully that will finally turn that darn check engine light off. Even before these things get done I just haveta say the Avalanche has been reliable and driving great. To be expected given the amount of new parts and work done since I’ve owned it.

Lucky me just the left side exhaust manifold needed to be done ( I think it’s quieter? ). And with that job out of the way.. Time to try out Peter’s new scan tool..  Yes it shows the Knock sensors, An evap leak plus a random miss fire on #8 cylinder. What the hey ! Time to check that spark plug.. And yup it’s got a cracked body. So a new plug went in and the codes reset. Will the check engine light come on ?? Now I drive the Avy till it does, or it doesn’t.  In the meantime !  It’s time to do an upgrade to the stereo. Here’s a new head unit..

This should be fun.. I haven’t done one of these in a few years..  The 2009 Avy was supposed to get a new stereo, but I sold it before that happened.  So this gives the 2006 a big upgrade in it’s functioning. Bluetooth, touch screen, navigation, USB input and most important to me a rear camera ! Never use the CD player. I’m putting the camera on a switch so I can leave it on while hooking up and pulling trailers.

That handy little panel next to the climate control.. and it’s lonely traction control button now has friends.  A second USB and the switch for the rear camera.  This is an Android based stereo so it works good with our phone. I’ve played with it a bit on the table, can’t wait to try it in the Avalanche.  I’m making a video on the install, and I will link that later.  I’m waiting for one last piece of the puzzle.  The interface so the chimes , bose amp and the steering wheel controls will work.  Here’s the camera I bought to use with the stereo..

Not all the cameras have the power wire in the cable all the way to the head unit.  Most come with it short and intended to hook up to the reverse lights for power.  That’s the way I need it. That’s what the yellow switch is for …  So instead of the reverse gear triggering the camera, I use the switch.

All wired up now, and the camera wire routed to the back..  Looks like it belongs..

Not the easiest to set up.. I did get the volume controls on the steering wheel to work..  Really all I need or care about.  But I can’t get the camera to work yet.. I’ll keep working on stuff..