hey everybody whats up? hoping that someone will be able to answer my question. i have a 06 lt w/o the pioneer system but with the steering wheel controls. i went on the crutchfield website and wanted to purchase a pioneer h/u and the PAC SWI-PS - Pioneer and Sony Steering Wheel Radio Control Interface. the problem is that the website says that the PAC interface is not compatible with my car because i dont have the pioneer system. is this true and if it is how come? shouldnt it still work seeing that i do have the steering wheel controls? hope someone has the answer. i emailed crutchfield but dont think anyone will answer me before monday. thanks.

 

The real problem here is that even with the PIONEER system in a Cobalt, the head unit IS NOT Pioneer at all it's GM/Delphi.The steering wheel control system used in the 06 Cobalt is IDENTICAL in all cars regardless of the presence of the Pioneer amp. AFAIK it's a common Delphi SWC system that uses analog voltage drops developed by different resistances tied to each button and wired directly to the Delphi head unit (which by the way is also identical even when equipped with the Pioneer amp, the h/u is just programmed to provide line level outputs to the Pioneer amp as opposed to amplified outputs to speakers)
So assuming the Sony/Pioneer unit IS compatible with the GM steering wheel controls, I cannot see why it wont work in your car regardless of whether or not you have the PIONEER system (as I had said, SAME steering wheel control system with or without the Pioneer amp.)
HTH
WopOnTour

 

It will work on your car. I used the SWI-ALP for my Alpine deck and it worked no problem (I didn't have the Pioneer system in the first place). I made a posting in the other steering wheel control thread about how easy it is to hook up, check that one out.

 

thanks fellas i was hoping that would be the case. crutchfield did get back to me but said they really didnt know because they go by manufacturer info. i will place my order with them today. thanks for the help!