Steering Wheel Controls

[Chrsto4]

Anyone know if there would be a problem with ordering a UK Yaris steering and putting it in my '08 Yaris RS? The Bluetooth and audio controls would be a nice feature. Thanks. :)

[Tamago]

unless your head unit and wiring harness are identical, those features will not be available. in short, most likely a waste of $$

[CTScott]

I was curious about that myself, but never checked into it because I changed to an aftermarket HU. I just pulled my 09's OEM HU off the shelf and powered it up on the bench. I tested the steering wheel control input (SW1, SW2, and SWG on the 20 pin connector).

Looking at the EWD for the European steering wheel controls, there is a switch and resistor network. The easiest functions to test were mode and Seek+. Mode is SW2 to SWG with no resistor and Seek+ is SW1 to SWG with no resistor. Jumping SW1 to SWG resulted in the frequency scanning upwards (i.e. Seek+). I stuck in a CD in and then jumped SW2 to SWG and it switched back to radio.

So, the short answer is that at least the 09's HU (part number 86120-52A20) supports steering wheel radio controls. I don't believe that the bluetooth functionality would work, but at least the radio controls would.

Besides the steering wheel, you'd also need the cable from the steering column to the radio (and possibly a new spiral cable that has the extra two wires in it).

[Chrsto4]

Thankz for your advice guys. I guess maybe I'll shift my focus back to heated mirrors. Cheers. :)

[tk-421]

I was curious about that myself, but never checked into it because I changed to an aftermarket HU. I just pulled my 09's OEM HU off the shelf and powered it up on the bench. I tested the steering wheel control input (SW1, SW2, and SWG on the 20 pin connector).

Looking at the EWD for the European steering wheel controls, there is a switch and resistor network. The easiest functions to test were mode and Seek+. Mode is SW2 to SWG with no resistor and Seek+ is SW1 to SWG with no resistor. Jumping SW1 to SWG resulted in the frequency scanning upwards (i.e. Seek+). I stuck in a CD in and then jumped SW2 to SWG and it switched back to radio.

So, the short answer is that at least the 09's HU (part number 86120-52A20) supports steering wheel radio controls. I don't believe that the bluetooth functionality would work, but at least the radio controls would.

Besides the steering wheel, you'd also need the cable from the steering column to the radio (and possibly a new spiral cable that has the extra two wires in it).

@CTScott: How difficult would it be to remap steering wheel controls for use in a CarPC? I think I'm covered on the software side (http://gizmod.sourceforge.net), but what about the hardware itself?

Sorry for the slight :offtopic:, but I figured this thread is toast anyways.

[CTScott]

If I still had my OEM HU in, I'd be adding switches to my USDM steering wheel right now. I am amazed that the radio really supports it.

The Gizmo Daemon would probably be fine. The easiest way to adapt it would probably be to hook up the SW1 and SW2 lines to the guts of a compatible joystick. Basically, one would connect in place of the potentiometer for each of the two axis.

[tk-421]

If I still had my OEM HU in, I'd be adding switches to my USDM steering wheel right now. I am amazed that the radio really supports it.

The Gizmo Daemon would probably be fine. The easiest way to adapt it would probably be to hook up the SW1 and SW2 lines to the guts of a compatible joystick. Basically, one would connect in place of the potentiometer for each of the two axis.

Wow... I never thought of that. So basically any joystick with potentiometers should work, right? And I guess I could hook up some buttons the same way?

This may be in my future. :biggrin:

[CTScott]

Wow... I never thought of that. So basically any joystick with potentiometers should work, right? And I guess I could hook up some buttons the same way?

This may be in my future. :biggrin:

Yes. I didn't look through the source code, but the description mentions being able to scroll using a joystick. You may have to modify the code to look for specific "ranges" of the joystick and map them to a function, but it's definitely doable.

[IsLNdbOi]

The steering wheel controls will work with aftermarket HUs if you get one of those steering wheel control adapters. Crutchfield and SonicElectronix carry a bunch of them. Some brands I can think of are PAC, Scosche, Metra, Peripheral and SoundGate.

[CTScott]

The steering wheel controls will work with aftermarket HUs if you get one of those steering wheel control adapters. Crutchfield and SonicElectronix carry a bunch of them. Some brands I can think of are PAC, Scosche, Metra, Peripheral and SoundGate.


Correct. Unfortunately my aftermarket HU doesn't support steering wheel controls. On my Xterra I modified the OEM steering wheel controls to work with the Sony HU I put in it (just had to change the resistor network).

[1NZYaris1]

The head unit might support the use of steering wheel buttons ,
BUT does your clock spring , i was told no by the local toyota tech's
but they know S##T.
may be CTScott you have the answer too that as well :iono: , Please. :thumbsup:

[CTScott]

The USDM ones definitely would need the spiral cable to be changed. The 07-08 ones only have the horn wire and the 09's have the horn and the cruise wires. The European ones with the steering wheel controls have the 3 additional wires.

[Chrsto4]

Alright, I have been across the Internet and looking at the various galleries, can I take a stock Scion xD steering wheel (that has radio controls) and put a UK or Asian Airbag Steering Cover in place of the Scion Airbag Steering Cover? I really would like the steering wheel controls but wonder if any of you uber-techs would think this had a real chance?

I know I might have to get an aftermarket steering wheel control adapter but attached are some pics that might lend some insight. Sorry about pdf format but I am having trouble loading the bmp and jpg pics so they displayed.

I defer to your wisdom. :bow:

[1NZYaris1]

You are right on the money , they fit and fit perfactly .
the problem you have is the wiring from the steering wheel controls
through the steering wheel clock spring , if these are not alredy to your clock spring then you will need too purchase
the correct one , and that is not cheap.

[CTScott]

There is a way around the new clock spring. If you are not doing the cruise control mod, using the OEM stalk, you can use the two wires that go through the clock spring for the steering wheel controls instead.

[Chrsto4]

So if it came from the dealer with cruise already in the stalk, will those two wires on the clock spring still be available to hook up to the steering wheel controls? And are two enough if the Scion xD steering wheel has 5 functions (Mode, vol up/down, + -)? Pardon my ignorance on the electronics side. Thanks to you both so far. :smile:

[CTScott]

So if it came from the dealer with cruise already in the stalk, will those two wires on the clock spring still be available to hook up to the steering wheel controls? And are two enough if the Scion xD steering wheel has 5 functions (Mode, vol up/down, + -)? Pardon my ignorance on the electronics side. Thanks to you both so far. :smile:

If the cruise stalk is factory (i.e. on the right side of the steering wheel) then the wires are in use. If it is dealer/port installed (stalk on left side) then the wires are still available.

The buttons are multiplexed to work over a single pair of wires.

[Chrsto4]

The cruise is on left so looks like we're in business. Thanks again.

[goku87]

Correct. Unfortunately my aftermarket HU doesn't support steering wheel controls. On my Xterra I modified the OEM steering wheel controls to work with the Sony HU I put in it (just had to change the resistor network).

If the cruise stalk is factory (i.e. on the right side of the steering wheel) then the wires are in use. If it is dealer/port installed (stalk on left side) then the wires are still available.

The buttons are multiplexed to work over a single pair of wires.

1st Question:

What would be so hard about putting in a few extra wires?

2nd Question:

In regards to your not being able to connect the controls to the head unit, if your head unit has a remote, and you are willing to sacrifice that remote, it should be easy to re-wire all the buttons on the steering wheel to the buttons on the remote to control the HU, provided you can add more wires to begin with (see previous question...?).

[CTScott]

The problem with adding more wires is that it is to the clockspring, as opposed to just running wires from point A to Point B.

On the second question, what model is your headunit? PAC makes adapters for interfacing OEM steering wheel controls to many wired remote HU's.

[IsLNdbOi]

Bumping an old thread. I'm getting desperate for true steering wheel control. I've already mounted a Sony RM-X4S on my steering column, but now I'm upgrading to a JVC head unit which isn't compatible with the RM-X4S (unlike Pioneer head units).

I've already pm'd CTScott about the possibility of modifying the RM-X4S so it "looks" like a stock Toyota steering wheel control to those aftermarket steering wheel control adapters, but it looks like it would be complicated.

I've been searching and searching and came upon this thread on another forum:
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/audio-and-stereo/164603-add-steering-wheel-audio-controls-diy/

Is it possible that all we'd have to do is switch the airbag cover w/ one from a Yaris that has the audio controls and get a new clock spring + the actual steering controls?

[CTScott]

Bumping an old thread. I'm getting desperate for true steering wheel control. I've already mounted a Sony RM-X4S on my steering column, but now I'm upgrading to a JVC head unit which isn't compatible with the RM-X4S (unlike Pioneer head units).

I've already pm'd CTScott about the possibility of modifying the RM-X4S so it "looks" like a stock Toyota steering wheel control to those aftermarket steering wheel control adapters, but it looks like it would be complicated.

I've been searching and searching and came upon this thread on another forum:
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/audio-and-stereo/164603-add-steering-wheel-audio-controls-diy/

Is it possible that all we'd have to do is switch the airbag cover w/ one from a Yaris that has the audio controls and get a new clock spring + the actual steering controls?

The controls are on the wheel, not on the airbag cover, so you'd need a steering wheel with the controls and the clockspring with the extra wires. If you don't do the OEM cruise control stalk, you could use those two clock spring wires for the radio portion of the controls. Without a 3rd wire you wouldn't have the bluetooth buttons on the wheel functional, but at least the radio ones would be.

[IsLNdbOi]

Hmmm... Could I buy the clockspring w/ the extra wires from Toyota in another country? I'm sure they have sites like toyotapartscheap or TRDSparks in foreign lands (ones that have Yarii that come w/ the steering wheel audio).

Maybe they sell the controls separately too, like this:
http://japanparts.com/db/parts_detail.php?submit.x=39&submit.y=4&NUMBER=00015656


Or I can sell my Yaris and get a Fit or Fiesta since they come w/ steering wheel controls. :tongue:

This could all be avoided though if I could just get JVC to send me schematics for the AVX77's 3.5mm remote input.

I wonder if the AVX77 is in the FCC's database since it has bluetooth. Would the documents on the FCC's site show things like schematics for the unit?

[dean_park]

CTScott, I think Crashy needs steering wheel controls for the plow.
Sorry for the slight :offtopic:

[CTScott]

Hmmm... Could I buy the clockspring w/ the extra wires from Toyota in another country? I'm sure they have sites like toyotapartscheap or TRDSparks in foreign lands (ones that have Yarii that come w/ the steering wheel audio).

Maybe they sell the controls separately too, like this:
http://japanparts.com/db/parts_detail.php?submit.x=39&submit.y=4&NUMBER=00015656


Or I can sell my Yaris and get a Fit or Fiesta since they come w/ steering wheel controls. :tongue:

This could all be avoided though if I could just get JVC to send me schematics for the AVX77's 3.5mm remote input.

I wonder if the AVX77 is in the FCC's database since it has bluetooth. Would the documents on the FCC's site show things like schematics for the unit?

When this topic came up a while back, I checked into it and a clockspring from Europe is around $250.

For the AVX77, the bluetooth section of the radio and the tuner would be listed on the FCC site, but sections that don't require FCC listing wouldn't be.

[daveprue]

Scott,

Is your statement that the clockspring would have to be changed based on the fact that there are not enough connector pins available to support the controls?

It seems to me that there was still one unused pin, on the 4 pin connector that passes the 2 cruise and the horn wires.

Have you actually buzzed the clockspring and verified that it does not pass that 4th pin?

If indeed it does pass that line, I am thinking perhaps steering wheel controls could utilize that line and share the ground side of the cc with a second wire coming out of the connector.

I have a nice new aftermarket HU on its way from China, and it specifially states it has a "Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface" ...whatever that might be :iono:

Anyway, I am sure I will be sorely tempted to do something in terms of wheel mounted control.

[CTScott]

Scott,

Is your statement that the clockspring would have to be changed based on the fact that there are not enough connector pins available to support the controls?

It seems to me that there was still one unused pin, on the 4 pin connector that passes the 2 cruise and the horn wires.

Have you actually buzzed the clockspring and verified that it does not pass that 4th pin?

If indeed it does pass that line, I am thinking perhaps steering wheel controls could utilize that line and share the ground side of the cc with a second wire coming out of the connector.

I have a nice new aftermarket HU on its way from China, and it specifially states it has a "Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface" ...whatever that might be :iono:

Anyway, I am sure I will be sorely tempted to do something in terms of wheel mounted control.


The clockspring has the connectors molded in. On my 09 2 pins were unused prior to me installing the OEM cruise stalk. On Crashy, who's an 08, the clock spring only has one extra pin (the other may have the wire inside of the clockspring, but it is not brought out to a pin on the molded connectors).

On an 09+, with the 2 extra pins, you can ground the cruise stalk to the frame of the steering wheel and gain back one pin. And like you mentioned, use that one pin as the feed for the steering wheel controls and use the steering wheel frame as its ground. Most resistive steering wheel controls use more that one wire, but typically most of the important functions are grouped together on the first wire.