Steering Column Mounted Stereo Controls

[Biscuit]

I was thinking about changing the stereo in my car however i have a small remote mounted to the side of my steering column which allows me to skip track, change volume etc. Does anyone know if in general these have a standard control signal such as RS232 or RS422 which would work with aftermarket radios or would i be doomed to have a useless lump of plastic sticking out forever?

My car is a 2004 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Ghia

[GoNz0]

you need to check if the stereo can take a remote and if you can get the adapter for it.

[digit]

You just need to get an autoleads kit specific to your car and the make of radio you intend to purchase and you'll be able to use steering wheel controls fine. I've used 4 kits in the cars I've owned and all have worked without a hitch.

[Funkstar]

What you need in a CANBus interface adapter as opposed to just a wiring harness converter:
http://www.carstereos4u.co.uk/p0/for...ors/314709.htm

One of these will do it, match the picture of the head unit with the appropriate adapter. Might be an idea to get a set of stereo release keys (can usually pick them up in halfords so you can check today before ordering anything) and pull the current stereo out to check the style of connections first though. I need to do this for my better half Zafira.

Then you need a small patch lead to go from that to the appropriate make of head unit. These are listed in the description for that part. Most head unit manufacturers have a blue ringed 3.5mm jack that this connects to, Blaupunkt often have a more complex connector, but they work the same way.

You'll also need a fascia adapter:
http://www.carstereos4u.co.uk/p0/for...ors/314707.htm

And perhaps an aerial adapter too:
http://www.carstereos4u.co.uk/p0/for...ors/386391.htm

Like Digit, I've used kits for my Golf GTI, a Renault Megane Scenic and about to fit one to a Zafira. They do work well and are generally very easy to install.

[digit]

I wasnt aware the standard had changed, might be the case with my current car I'll need a CANBus adapter, not looked into it yet though despite having the car for over a year!

Autoleads is as I said what I've used before but funkstars offering will do the job just as well.

http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/autol...or-p-2646.html

[peterb]

There are a numberr of adaptors specific to the stereo and the car - the links posted above will be useful. I successfully integrated a Sony car stereo into both the controls and the electronic dashboard display on a Citroen Picasso (which has quite a complex dashboard display system, as is are the radio's control signals). Just plugged it all in and it all worked - but you do need to do some research to see if your car and your chosen stereo have adaptors available. The wa the Picasso's control and display signals operate meant tat I was limited in the make of stero that could be fitted.

If your car doesn't have an electronic dispaly, or you aren't bothered about that, then the process is much easier and it is a case of getting a harness adaptor to match the radio's remote output connectors with the wiring harness.

[Biscuit]

Thanks for the help all I dont reckon i will be doing this for a few months (i may even just change my car as i quite fancy a diesel) but not being able to have an aux in and/or MP3 CD capability is really bugging me and while i was cleaning today i thought i wud at least see if any of you guys knew.

[Funkstar]

Which stereo do you have?

http://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/inter...6_775_975.html

Are you sure you can't get an AUX working?

[Funkstar]

I wasnt aware the standard had changed, might be the case with my current car I'll need a CANBus adapter, not looked into it yet though despite having the car for over a year!

Virtually all modern cars will need a CANBus adapter as well as a wiring harness adapter, especially if you want things like in dash screens or steering wheel controls to work as well. I don't have external controls, but sensing the lights for night time, and a few other things only work with a little box of tricks.

[Biscuit]

mine doesnt even have an aux button

[Funkstar]

Worth a try

[Biscuit]

It does have a phone button. I suppose that might be an aux. Il check it out...

[Biscuit]

I think im gunna go for it and i think this is what i need (my fiesta is the Mk4 with the 3 split radio)



These adaptors and the some speakers to fit in the existing holes

http://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/prod...11_p-25923.htm

This head unit is the cheapest bluetooth one with aux and USB i could find that also has the appropriate connector available for the head unit adapter. Also has dot matrix which is a nice addition.

Any thoughts?

[TAKTAK]

Alternatively grab a pure highway.

DAB and line in then

Plus you can just swap it to another car if needs be

Mine lives in my glove box now with a line in cable coming out to plug my phone in and the power cable ofcourse.

[Biscuit]

handy device but i would like to have a bit more control via the steering wheel thingy.

[Funkstar]

What about release keys for the existing stereo?

I don't know how you remove them from Fords. Do you remove dash trim pieces and unscrew it (like the VWs) or do they pop out when yoiu insert the right sized pieces of metal?

Release keys probably aren't included with facia adapters.