Pioneer 3300NEX installation...

I've been absolutely at my wit's end with the terrible OEM Becker unit. Hard to see, nonintuitive to use, poor Bluetooth reception, lack of nav, etc. - it had to go. So, my new radio should be arriving today. I went with the Pioneer 3300NEX, mostly for its CarPlay functionality which should obviate any need for a separate GPS antenna, as I'll run navigation off my iPhone.

Anyway...

I have my Becker removal keys, antenna adaptor, and wiring harness adaptor ready to go - and I know about swapping the red and yellow wires. Is there anything else I should bear in mind before starting the mini-project?

Incidentally, I'm not changing out any of the speakers or the Hifi amp. I never play music in the car, so none of that matters to me at all. I rarely play the radio and, when I do, it's almost always NPR or BBC. The upgrade is all about usability coupled with modern Bluetooth and nav.

 

Note: not all Becker removal keys are the same; get the right ones!

Naturally, I have the incorrect keys and am now awaiting delivery of the proper ones. Oh, well.

I've been reading radio upgrade threads and realized that I needed to add the blue/white wire to my harness adaptor, so that's done.

Another question: how does the OEM Bluetooth microphone connect to the Becker radio and will I be able to use it with the new unit? The Pioneer came with its own mic, but installing it in place of the original unit will be a PITA and preferably avoided. Any ideas...?

 

At this point, with the right keys ordered, I'll hold off. I've waited this long for a decent radio, another few days probably won't kill me. If I don't update the thread by the middle of next week, you'll know I was wrong...

 

OK, the proper keys came today and I was able to remove the old radio with a little effort. Boy, it's going to be tight back there. Anyway...

I mated the Pioneer harness to the Metra adaptor (remembering to match red to yellow instead of like-to-like and to use the blue/white wire for amp connection), plugged it in and...the only sound I'm getting is from the left front. No balance or fade adjustment seems to have an effect.

What did I do wrong?

 

It's the Metra 70-1784. I'm not sure where I read about it originally, but it definitely fits the Becker plugs. If I got the wrong adaptor, please do point me toward the correct one.