Im sure this has been talked abotu before and i know this is an audio topic but my question focuses on 5th gen maximas.
I vaguely remember someone speaking about wiring the new head unit so that the steering wheel remote can still be utilized.
Any help would be greatly appreciated... a link or a step in the right direction?

 

I JUST GOT MY SYSTEM PUT IN AND I BOUGHT THE PAC-SWI-X ADAPTER THAT ALLOWS THE STEERING CONTROLS STILL TO BE USED

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-GippLST...900&search=PAC

 

Does any part of that unit have to be on the outside or is it all hidden?

 

No thats not what i am looking for. I dont want to pay $70 for something that just needs a few wire nuts. Does anyone know the wiring scheme for the steering controls...

 

are you talking about the "trip" functions, or vol/track buttons?

 

Im talking about vol/trk/mode controls.
But now that you made me think about it... will i lose trip controls if i have an aftermarket H/U? I thought that i would just lose volume/track/mode controls.

 

you wont lose the trip functions because those aren't connected to the radio. but i don't understand why the PAC-SWI-X ADAPTER is not what you're looking for. you can't just hook your steering wheel controls up to any stereo.

 

yes, there is a way to wire it without purchasing the adapter... im almost 100% sure. it has been a topic in this forum but it was months ago and its nearly impossible to find.

 

When I changed out my OEM headunit I lost control of the trip controls along with the radio controls. I was not happy with the after market HU and replaced the OEM HU.

 

no, it is not possible ive never hear of manually wiring the thing, if it was possible to do that then nobody would ever buy the pac adaptor..... talk to pearlmax96....don....he know if anythign is possible. that would be the right person to ask.

 

I think in theory i can be done, but why would you bother hardwiring it and doing all the work if you can just buy something that has everything all ready done for you? Meaning, i'm sure there are wires, switches and resisitors in that pac unit that allow for it to work and why would you want to waste your time trying to find out how it works? I have the FSM at home and can post the schematic if anyone is interested.

 

When I had an aftermarket unit hooked up i used the pac... worked fine and wasnt hard to install at all really. But nowadays people in NY steal everything so i took it out and put the OEM back. If you wanna hook it up to your controls, just get the pac and you'll be crusing

 

It may be possible ONLY if the UH has hardwired control input. And I don't think they do. That’s why EVERYBODY who has steering wheel controls uses PAC-SWI-X ADAPTER .

 

So do you need to have the unit exposed for the IR signal to work, or where do you put the unit?

Don't think anybody answered this question yet...

 

Yeah that was my question and that was the exact reason I was asking it. I never really looked into it I just knew something like that existed but I never realized that it was an IR unit. My guess is you'd have to have it stick out somewhere. I don't see how else it would work.

 

I have my IR sensor placed behind my review mirror facing down at the radio. You gain full control of the trip buttong by grounding the brown wire from the extra harness that is left over after taking out the factory headunit.

 

im guessing that extra harness controls the volume and track? there has to be something tht cant be done...

another problem ive run into is that the FM and AM reception SUCKS now that i have the aftermarket unit in. its a kenwood EZ500 anyone else had this problem? i used the adapter that came from car domain.com ... any help guys???

 

sorry but i gotta move this to the top i need some info

 

Typically aftermarket radio reception is not as good as factory... I sell car audio for a living and am familiar with that kenwood model.

Kenwood actually has decent fm reception ratings, so there could be one of two problems. 1 Your antenna adaptor is not connected scurely, make sure its pushed all the way into the radio, and the connection between the adaptor and the factory plug is as well. 2 You could have a defective radio.

I have seen both issues. Actually had this issue with both the kenwood ez500 and a pioneer deh-p8mp. With the antenna adaptor, that could also be defective. Had that last week with a chrysler adaptor.

AM reception almost always blows with aftermarket radios. Probably going to have to live with that one.

Hope that helps.

 

yea Rollin thanks... at least i know what steps to take if i still have issues.

anyone have any more ideas about the track and volume controls?

 

No prob. As far as the steering wheel controls, that was basically answered for you. IF the radio had a wired remote input and you were handy with electronics wiring, you could splice in. Since the only radios I know that have that are marine radios, I doubt you wanna try to run wires inside the case of your player and solder to the main board.

The SWI-X is IR and is the only way to keep those controls. The comment made about putting it on the back of the rear view (props to whoever that was btw) is probably the best one for this particular vehicle style.

We have done installs over at Autobacs where I work for lots of vehicles with the SWI-X. Different vehicles have different places. Newer chevy trucks and suv's you can trim the bezel over the radio and put in the overhang. Unless of course its a clarion radio because the IR reciever for those radios has such a narrow line of site. We have actually put it in the center console with a little bumpout so it could point toward the radio. Looked rediculous, but the guy didnt care, just wanted it to work.

Again, hope this helps.