vic_romano

I'm under the impression that once an aftermarket headunit is installed, the steering wheel volume/band/station/etc controls for the stereo will not function anymore.

I'm wondering if there is any possible way to retain the functionality of the steering wheel controls? I know there are units with little control units that mount to the steering wheel but i like the controls built in and would love to get an aftermarket headunit quality with the stock steering wheel usage. I don't think it's possible but hey if anyone has any ideas i'd appreciate it!

Thanks!

Iroc

Lets face it GM and other car manufacturers should have made the steering wheel controls a universal remote, one of those omnidirectional ones. That way pressing a button on the steering wheel is the same as pressing a button on your aftermarket radio's remote control.

The only custom way I could think of doing it is to take a aftermarket head unit's remote control and solder some wires to the function buttons, run the wires up and around to the steering wheel and solder those wires to the buttons on the wheel. So you really just relocate the button on the remote over to the wheel. Sounds impossible/insane,,, i'm sure it is

vic_romano

i found this in another post...just a heads up...looks like exactly what i want.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-buM7FK...18900&I=127SWIX

Clmbngfrk18

yeah the pac swi-x turns your steering wheel controls into a remote it learns the frequinces(sp?) from you after market remote anduse them to control it but it doesnt work on some radios sony's and one other brand

Ern

Ya I got mine from the local audio store here for one of my older cars. You can retain usablility for your steering wheel but you may or may not loose the remote control. When I installed it on my old neon, the controls work on the steering wheel but I couldnt use the remote anymore.

MarcS

A newer pioneer head unit should still retain the steering wheel audio button functions.

VictoryIsMine

The newer Alpine headunits can be controlled by the steering wheel controls without having to use the remote sensor, such as the SWI-X. It was very easy to hook up to my Alpine, and it only required three wires to be hooked up from the factory harness, and that's including the power and ground. I'm so happy to have my steering wheel controls back.