Wiring, Stereo & Electronics Audio Components | Radars | Alarms - and things that spark when they shouldn't

Steering Wheel Radio controls accessory

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 3, 2004 | 11:13 PM
  #1  
2001FireBird's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, NorCal
Default Steering Wheel Radio controls accessory

Sorry if this has been answered a few times but;

I know everyone knows that if you replaced the stock head unit you can no longer use the steering wheel controls. However , there are accessories you can buy out there that allow you to use them again. By some sort of sending the signal of your new units remote to the deck, you can do the same with the steer wheel controls. Sort of like a remote built into the steering wheel itself.

Ok, now for the important stuff. In this link, I found an accessory that may perform this. I'm not sure, but I'm fairly positive it may work. Anyone got any feedback on this? Or know a sure shot module that they bought and works 100%? Thanks

http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/ST...Y_I_p_596.html
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2004 | 11:25 PM
  #2  
Armageddon's Avatar
...with cheese.
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 4
From: AL
Default

If you just want steering wheel controls get the PAC SWI-X. Search for that on Ebay. One can be had for $40.00. Thats all you need, I'm looking at mine right now. Good Luck!
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2004 | 12:01 AM
  #3  
2001FireBird's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, NorCal
Default

What's the difference between SWI-X and SWI-V? The only thing I can figure is the price. But then again I need to know what would work best. I have a pioneer deck, so this SWI-X should work right?
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2005 | 11:08 PM
  #4  
jwpeltz's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default

I am new here, my steering wheel accessory controls.....the top ones on each side. The bulbs have blown....where can I get replacement ones...

Jeff
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2005 | 11:40 PM
  #5  
The Guz's Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,460
Likes: 12
From: Lawndale, CA (310)
Default

The PAC SWI-X will work with your panasonic. I have one of these in my Grand Prix and in the Camaro. They are easy to install and to program. The steering whell controls will work just like the stock radio.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2005 | 12:23 AM
  #6  
todddchi's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 1
From: Detroit, MI
Default

Go with the SWI-X as that is known to work. You just need to mount a small IR emitter somewhere in the vehicle that has line of sight to the radio's remote sensor.

I mounted mine in the coffee-cup handle cutout of my center console, at the middle of the angle so it is aiming pretty much right at the radio sensor.

There are many places that will work and if you can flush mount your radio some people can get the sensor mounted in the actual bezel and be ok.

Far as bulbs... do a search. The radio controls can be disassembled and new leds can be soldered in. It's not a pull/plug type of bulb, unfortunately.
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2005 | 10:42 AM
  #7  
steele's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Tyler, Tx
Default

Just FYI on mounting the SWI-X - There's no need to point it at the HU. Just mount the transmitter above/below the radio facing backwards. It'll bounce off something, but you may need to experiment with the angle to get it so it works 100% of the time (like in direct rear sunlight).
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2005 | 02:40 AM
  #8  
_JB_'s Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,765
Likes: 27
From: Tampa, FL
Default

Screw the PAC. Get a soundgate. You don't have to reprogram it when the power dies, and you don't have to worry about mounting the IR eye. It costs more, but installs the same except a minijack plugs into the rear of the headunit.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 17, 2005 | 06:19 PM
  #9  
SnakEaterZ28's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, Ga
Default

where do you find the soundgate one and how much does it cost?
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2005 | 07:17 PM
  #10  
bww3588's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (49)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,139
Likes: 10
From: Chillicothe/Lima, Ohio
Default

hey not to ***** but what if you have a 98 without stereo controls on the wheel. can you put one in?
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2005 | 08:25 PM
  #11  
_JB_'s Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
iTrader: (33)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,765
Likes: 27
From: Tampa, FL
Default

Originally Posted by SnakEaterZ28
where do you find the soundgate one and how much does it cost?
www.soundgate.com

The only disadvantage to it is you can't use your remote when you hook the Soundgate up.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:59 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE