Hacking (retrofitting) steering wheel audio controls for aftermarket headunit
09-11-13, 04:43 PM
#1
Hacking (retrofit) steering wheel audio controls to work with aftermarket headunit
Recently upgraded my 98 GS300 to an 01-05 steering wheel/air bag since they look nicer than the 98-00 ones. Got a used radio control Pod for the wheel as well.
PAC audio makes steering wheel radio interfaces but the 2nd generation (01-05) GS is not supported. Even if they did, the 98-00 would not work since they did not come radio controls on the steering wheel. So what I had to do is wire up a small and simple resistor board and use the 6 buttons on the remote to make it work with the PAC Audio SWI-PS. I actually got the idea from a little circuit that is on the instructions. The PAC SWI-PS comes with the 6 resistors needed for this project.
You can even pretty much build yourself a radio controls pod or use one from a different vehicle and wire it up like this to make it work.
Things Needed:
Steering Wheel Audio Control Pod
PAC SWI-PS Interface Box (Depending of what brand headunit you have, you may require a different model)
6 Resistors (Included with the SWI-PS)
Small Circuit Board (Radio Shack Model: 276-159)
Wire, Solder, Soldering Iron
Only 2 wires come out of the radio control pod and need to connect into the clockspring connector. One wire you tap into the ground wire and the other you connect to the unused telephone wire. On the lower side connector of the clockspring u simply cut the unused telephone wire and feed that to the white wire of the SWI-PS. Tap into the ground wire and feed that to ground wire of the SWI-PS. Red wire on SWI-PS goes to 12V ACC.
Once the wiring is done, you then need to program the interface box
SWI-PS needs to programmed to version 3. Then, you program the buttons for whatever function you want. There's some YouTube videos on how that procedure goes.
Cool thing is that once the Interface box is programmed, you don't have to do it again, even when you remove the battery.
PAC audio makes steering wheel radio interfaces but the 2nd generation (01-05) GS is not supported. Even if they did, the 98-00 would not work since they did not come radio controls on the steering wheel. So what I had to do is wire up a small and simple resistor board and use the 6 buttons on the remote to make it work with the PAC Audio SWI-PS. I actually got the idea from a little circuit that is on the instructions. The PAC SWI-PS comes with the 6 resistors needed for this project.
You can even pretty much build yourself a radio controls pod or use one from a different vehicle and wire it up like this to make it work.
Things Needed:
Steering Wheel Audio Control Pod
PAC SWI-PS Interface Box (Depending of what brand headunit you have, you may require a different model)
6 Resistors (Included with the SWI-PS)
Small Circuit Board (Radio Shack Model: 276-159)
Wire, Solder, Soldering Iron
Only 2 wires come out of the radio control pod and need to connect into the clockspring connector. One wire you tap into the ground wire and the other you connect to the unused telephone wire. On the lower side connector of the clockspring u simply cut the unused telephone wire and feed that to the white wire of the SWI-PS. Tap into the ground wire and feed that to ground wire of the SWI-PS. Red wire on SWI-PS goes to 12V ACC.
Once the wiring is done, you then need to program the interface box
SWI-PS needs to programmed to version 3. Then, you program the buttons for whatever function you want. There's some YouTube videos on how that procedure goes.
Cool thing is that once the Interface box is programmed, you don't have to do it again, even when you remove the battery.
Last edited by rgarjr; 01-07-16 at 06:44 PM.
09-11-13, 05:04 PM
#2
Bro this is sick what you did! I've been wanting steering wheel mounted audio controls forever but wasn't sure how to hook it up once I had the control button piece.
Soo will this only work with an aftermarket head unit or can I make it work with my stock 98 unit??
Soo will this only work with an aftermarket head unit or can I make it work with my stock 98 unit??
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05-20-14, 05:41 PM
#10
Pole Position
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Would love to do this mod myself, but this guide is pretty vague.
Is there any way that someone could break this down step by step for me? I would be very grateful
EDIT: Also, I was planning on buying a kenwood stereo, does this require a different adapter or can I use the one mentioned here?
Is there any way that someone could break this down step by step for me? I would be very grateful
EDIT: Also, I was planning on buying a kenwood stereo, does this require a different adapter or can I use the one mentioned here?
Last edited by Behemoth7; 05-20-14 at 05:58 PM.
11-19-14, 10:06 AM
#11
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So is the replacement steering wheel used here from a GS430? I've got an 02 GS300 SportDesign, that does not have the controls on the wheel. Trying to understand if this was a GS300 or GS430 wheel to start with. This project might be beyond my skill set depending.
I installed a Pioneer AVH4000NEX, and really now wishing I had some type of wheel controls since I lost my volume ****. Anybody know any solutions? I see some Chinese $15 strap-on-wheel solutions, and about to try one from Pioneer that is IR (not holding my breath for any good luck). I can't believe there wouldn't be a better solution out there. Thoughts?
I installed a Pioneer AVH4000NEX, and really now wishing I had some type of wheel controls since I lost my volume ****. Anybody know any solutions? I see some Chinese $15 strap-on-wheel solutions, and about to try one from Pioneer that is IR (not holding my breath for any good luck). I can't believe there wouldn't be a better solution out there. Thoughts?
11-19-14, 07:37 PM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
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So is the replacement steering wheel used here from a GS430? I've got an 02 GS300 SportDesign, that does not have the controls on the wheel. Trying to understand if this was a GS300 or GS430 wheel to start with. This project might be beyond my skill set depending.
I installed a Pioneer AVH4000NEX, and really now wishing I had some type of wheel controls since I lost my volume ****. Anybody know any solutions? I see some Chinese $15 strap-on-wheel solutions, and about to try one from Pioneer that is IR (not holding my breath for any good luck). I can't believe there wouldn't be a better solution out there. Thoughts?
I installed a Pioneer AVH4000NEX, and really now wishing I had some type of wheel controls since I lost my volume ****. Anybody know any solutions? I see some Chinese $15 strap-on-wheel solutions, and about to try one from Pioneer that is IR (not holding my breath for any good luck). I can't believe there wouldn't be a better solution out there. Thoughts?
You should be able to get one off of ebay or one of our vendors for pretty cheap. I don't know the original part number or cost, unfortunately.
11-20-14, 05:49 PM
#15
So is the replacement steering wheel used here from a GS430? I've got an 02 GS300 SportDesign, that does not have the controls on the wheel. Trying to understand if this was a GS300 or GS430 wheel to start with. This project might be beyond my skill set depending.
I installed a Pioneer AVH4000NEX, and really now wishing I had some type of wheel controls since I lost my volume ****. Anybody know any solutions? I see some Chinese $15 strap-on-wheel solutions, and about to try one from Pioneer that is IR (not holding my breath for any good luck). I can't believe there wouldn't be a better solution out there. Thoughts?
I installed a Pioneer AVH4000NEX, and really now wishing I had some type of wheel controls since I lost my volume ****. Anybody know any solutions? I see some Chinese $15 strap-on-wheel solutions, and about to try one from Pioneer that is IR (not holding my breath for any good luck). I can't believe there wouldn't be a better solution out there. Thoughts?
