Hey guys,

I installed my PAC steering wheel audio control adapter last week and I have a problem. I guess Alpine HUs have a poor IR sensor or something, but for some reason, my transmitter is JUST outside of the range of the HU. I mounted it on the console where I saw others mount it:



If I pull out the dummy panel and angle it towards the stereo like another 5 degrees, it works just fine, but at the angle it sits at while in the normal position, the IR transmitter does not reach the stereo. Really bugs me that I still can't use my steering wheel controls even after installing this thing. Anybody else have this problem? I was thinking maybe Radio Shack would have a better transmitter that could somehow reach the stereo, I might have to try that out. Thanks for any help.

 

What Radio Shack will have is a bigger eye that you can solder in and mount there instead of that small one, which will work a little better. Call Pac and they can give you the exact part number.

-kevin

 

The part # is on the instructions too. Radio shack # 276-143


this thread reminded me to pick it up this week there.

 

Maybe the picture is screwed up, but that doesn't look any longer than the one that comes with the PAC already.

 

this is what you need to worry about, not longer but bigger


kevin

 

where have you guys been hiding the eye? Some peopel recomend the maplight. That seems a little crazy.

 

I always thought the radioshack eye was a direct replacement. Seeing that it is bigger, I may look into this further. The shop that installed my hu recommended that I install the eye on the top of the b-pillar. He said not to cut the ir wire, but to extend the otherwires to the swi-x unit itself.

Right now, mine is in the console, but it needs to be relocated for better pickup.

 

You didn't test it out before installing it? My transmitter setup worked just fine when I had my Sony deck, but with the Eclipse it only works when I put my right hand on or near the steering wheel which reflects the beam enough to make it work. I've been planning on remounting the emitter, possibly on the back of the rear-view mirror angled downwards. My only concern is that the sun might interfere with the operation if it shines on it. The other place I was thinking is the edge of the plastic dome light housing facing forward.

Tony

 

Tony, let me know what works best for you. I have an 8454 as well and the ir range off center sucks. I know it should work from the dome light because I have successfully used my ir remote through the moonroof while the deck is in measuring mode. My only concern with that is the mechanism of the moonroof which I would have to avoid. I'll probably spend a few hours next week to play around with it.

 

How do you guys plan on reaching the thing up there? The cord is only like 3 feet long or something. If you extend it, isn't the response time going to be even slower than it already is?

 

I plan on extending from the power/ground/signal wires. I hope the signal response doesn't become any worse

 

Hi Guys, I was just inquiring about the pac for my 2002 max. I went to tweeter and the guy said it would cost me about $200 or more to get the pac installed. Is that how much it is? And is it really worth it since my aftermartket radio already has a remote?

 

WHAT?!?! $200; ask him if that's a joke. You can buy it NEW for $55. I'm not sure how familiar you are with car audio installation, but if you can handle an HU install, you can definitely install one of these things yourself. I would NEVER pay $200 for it, and I don't believe anybody else here would, either.

You have to have a remote for your aftermarket HU to even program the PAC. The reason I got it is because I didn't want to lose my steering wheel controls. Admitedly, it's not the best product in the world. Reponse time is a bit sluggish compared to the factory HU, but it's better than having 5 buttons on your wheel that don't do anything.

 

Thanks for the reply TheBigDU. I new he had to be lying about that price.

 

Mine is on the steering column next to the winshield wiper lever

 

Yeah, my dad actually told me to try that out. It's a pretty good idea. What brand HU do you have?

 

^^I installed it there in slickricks car (pioneer deck) and it worked well except when the sun was shining through the windshield onto the deck.

 

yeah. im curious as to how well it would work with the bigger sensor.

 

So buy it already so I can install it and give back to the org with some good info.

 

I'm probably going to do this tomorrow. I will of course get back to you guys and let ya know if it works any better. If not, I'm probably gonig to try the steering column thing.

 

let me pass a research methods test and write a paper, then ill hit up radio shack.

 

oof have fun with that

 

I have the Kenwood 911. It's the one with the screen. I've been very satisfied with it.

 

I was at the shop which sold me my hu and I asked them for suggestions. The guy suggested having it hang down from the sun glass holder. I looked at the sunglass holder and I think it has a direct line of sight if I were to mount it on the surface than having it hang down.

 

Yeah, the rearview is another good idea, as long as you don't mind extending the wires all the way to the top of the A-Pillar, where the PAC module will hopefully fit behind the trim. Then you have to neatly run the IR lead wire along the headliner.

My gameplan is to try the larger IR LED from radio shack tomorrow. If that doesn't work in the console, then I'll be moving the thing. But first I'm going to try on the steering colum, as that will be the cleanest and simplest install if it works.

Thanks for all the ideas and help guys.

 

Alright people. I went to RadioShack and bought the larger LED. I cut off the old one, soldered on the new one, and put it back in the dummy plate. Then I tried it out. STILL NO GOOD! I think the problem is that the LED sits too low in the plastic "gromet" (that I also bought at RadioShack). The signal has such a narrow angle from where it is mounted that, no matter the width, it does not reach the stereo.

BUT, I came up with a solution. Luckily, the coin holder is removable and is the same size as a dummy plate. So, I simply switched the coin holder with one of the two dummy plates near the console lid. Now the IR signal is much closer to the HU, and the signal actually reaches it! I don't have a pic now, but I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, it's a simple fix to a PITA problem. If I were to do it again, I would probably try to mount it by the wiper arm in the steering column, but I didn't want to deal with that hassle today.

 

sweet, thanks for the solution. I am not in the mood to rip appart my a-pillar and extend some wires...I'll try out the coin holder location.

 

i need pix pix pix! i had it in the column and it didnt work in sunlight..but perhaps the larger led would.

 

I'm not sure what you need pics for, it's just in the coin holder.

The operation on this unit is kinda sluggish compared to stock, but I guess it's better than nothing.

 

edit: i got in my car and it made sense.