Adding Steering Wheel Controls
#61
Burning Brakes
#62
Drifting
#64
Instructor
I did the Steering Wheel Control (SWC) conversion on my 2006 3LT/BOSE/NAV.
I ordered and installed:
*2007 steering wheel w/radio controls
*2007 clockspring (for cars with radio controls)
The 2007 Clockspring has two ends. One set of end connectors connects under the steering wheel airbag, and the other clockspring end has a pair of connectors that connects to wiring on the bottom end of the steering column under the dash. There are two sets of plugs on each end of the clockspring... a set for the airbag and another plug for the SWC/Horn/ShiftPaddles (if your car is an automatic)
The airbag wiring to the new clockspring is straight-forward plug and play on both the steering wheel end and the column end. No mods needed.
The SWC/horn/paddleshift plug however is a different story. On the steering wheel end, the new plug just plugs in to the matching plug on the 2007 wheel -- couldn't be easier. BUT, on the under-steering-column end, its not so easy. The wires for the horn/paddleshift exist in the 2006 wiring, and while not plug and play (plugs are different) its easy enough to tap/splice the horn and paddleshift wires to the existing wiring. The problem is the 3 wires for the SWC: the SWC source wire, the SWC signal wire, and SWC illumination wires simply do not exist in the 2006 wiring loom, and must be fabricated.
I spliced the SWC illumination wire to the illumination wire connected to the HUD control switch on the LH dash pod. I extended the two SWC wires (source wire and signal wire) and ran them to the back of the radio. This is where we hit another issue: the two needed cavities for SWC's in the radio plug (A5 and A6, if I remember correctly), are EMPTY on 2006 cars, so we cant just splice into an existing wire. So now we have to find the correct terminals, solder them to the SWC extension wires and pop them into the radio connector.
Ok, finally got all that done, and the SWC buttons illuminate properly, but do NOT work to change stations, change tracks, nor control volume. Nothing works. Damn.
My theory is that, along with a 2007 steering wheel and a 2007 clockspring, you also need a 2007 or later BOSE (or uplevel enabled) radio to utilize the signal from the SWC.
I ordered and installed:
*2007 steering wheel w/radio controls
*2007 clockspring (for cars with radio controls)
The 2007 Clockspring has two ends. One set of end connectors connects under the steering wheel airbag, and the other clockspring end has a pair of connectors that connects to wiring on the bottom end of the steering column under the dash. There are two sets of plugs on each end of the clockspring... a set for the airbag and another plug for the SWC/Horn/ShiftPaddles (if your car is an automatic)
The airbag wiring to the new clockspring is straight-forward plug and play on both the steering wheel end and the column end. No mods needed.
The SWC/horn/paddleshift plug however is a different story. On the steering wheel end, the new plug just plugs in to the matching plug on the 2007 wheel -- couldn't be easier. BUT, on the under-steering-column end, its not so easy. The wires for the horn/paddleshift exist in the 2006 wiring, and while not plug and play (plugs are different) its easy enough to tap/splice the horn and paddleshift wires to the existing wiring. The problem is the 3 wires for the SWC: the SWC source wire, the SWC signal wire, and SWC illumination wires simply do not exist in the 2006 wiring loom, and must be fabricated.
I spliced the SWC illumination wire to the illumination wire connected to the HUD control switch on the LH dash pod. I extended the two SWC wires (source wire and signal wire) and ran them to the back of the radio. This is where we hit another issue: the two needed cavities for SWC's in the radio plug (A5 and A6, if I remember correctly), are EMPTY on 2006 cars, so we cant just splice into an existing wire. So now we have to find the correct terminals, solder them to the SWC extension wires and pop them into the radio connector.
Ok, finally got all that done, and the SWC buttons illuminate properly, but do NOT work to change stations, change tracks, nor control volume. Nothing works. Damn.
My theory is that, along with a 2007 steering wheel and a 2007 clockspring, you also need a 2007 or later BOSE (or uplevel enabled) radio to utilize the signal from the SWC.
#65
Le Mans Master
Hi ZEEEE 06,
No, to the best of my knowledge and experience the 2006 radios were not equipped with circuitry to 'listen' for the SWC signals. 2007 was when the SWC were introduced. I'm pretty sure you'll need a 2007 and up radio.
No, to the best of my knowledge and experience the 2006 radios were not equipped with circuitry to 'listen' for the SWC signals. 2007 was when the SWC were introduced. I'm pretty sure you'll need a 2007 and up radio.
The following users liked this post:
ZEEEE 06 (01-22-2017)
#66
Instructor
Thanks!!! that's what I was afraid of, guess I'll be looking for a 2011+ radio so I can also get the USB and AUX.
#67
Le Mans Master
Kent , you crossed over to the dark side .....is that a C7 I see in your profile ?
Dave
Dave
#68
Intermediate
Help, I have 2008 and when I remove the steering wheel I have the seven plug adapter, does anyone have the wiring diagram for the base 2008 without Bose system. The wires at the clockspring is grey, blue, green, black. The wires from the steering is brown and black that goes to the horn. I will try to add the picture. I have already ran the wires from the radio terminal A6 and A7, but don't know which wires to connect them to.
2008 clock spring
2008 clockspring connected to steering wheel
2008 clock spring
2008 clockspring connected to steering wheel
Last edited by Roadhog1956; 04-03-2017 at 09:49 PM. Reason: added more info
#69
Burning Brakes
Help, I have 2008 and when I remove the steering wheel I have the seven plug adapter, does anyone have the wiring diagram for the base 2008 without Bose system. The wires at the clockspring is grey, blue, green, black. The wires from the steering is brown and black that goes to the horn. I will try to add the picture. I have already ran the wires from the radio terminal A6 and A7, but don't know which wires to connect them to.
#70
Intermediate
Yes, everything is original, C6, manual trans. The green don't connect to anything at the steering wheel area, and it is hot with the ign switch is turn on. Thanks for the help!
Last edited by Roadhog1956; 04-04-2017 at 05:09 PM.
#71
Instructor
Now if your asking about inside the wheel, you need a wiring harness that goes from the clock spring to the buttons
I'd be able to help more if need PM me
#72
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Oct 2006
Location: Lebanon CT.
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok guys I have a 06 with the steering wheel off an 08. My radio is an after market kenwood that has the ability for steering wheel control. So I need steering wheel switches , new bezel for switch , wireing harnes and clock spring? Did I miss anything? How about part numbers.
#73
Intermediate
Ok guys I have a 06 with the steering wheel off an 08. My radio is an after market kenwood that has the ability for steering wheel control. So I need steering wheel switches , new bezel for switch , wireing harnes and clock spring? Did I miss anything? How about part numbers.
I'm just starting the project, I ordered a new steering wheel with the switch already installed. I did see earlier where someone had posted the parts needed, tho. I hope my original clock spring will work in my 2008.
#75
Burning Brakes
Does you new steering wheel connector look like the one in post 28 of this thread? If so the dark blue and purple with white stripe are for the radio controls. Either splice those to the green and black on the coil or back out the terminals and move them so the green-black and blue-purple circuits will mate in the connector. Post 35 has the radio control schematic.
#77
Intermediate
I completed the mod today, I wired the two wires from the steering column to A6 and A7 pins on the radio harness. From the radio harness I have a PAC RP5 GM11 adapter to maintain the OnStar, SWC controls etc. The wires are connected to a Kenwood head unit (DNX572BH). Now the problem, still can't the SWC to work. Running out of options. Any suggestion.
Update: found I had a bad RP5 module, changed it out and everything works GREAT!
Update: found I had a bad RP5 module, changed it out and everything works GREAT!
Last edited by Roadhog1956; 04-09-2017 at 06:59 PM. Reason: Update post
#78
Burning Brakes
I completed the mod today, I wired the two wires from the steering column to A6 and A7 pins on the radio harness. From the radio harness I have a PAC RP5 GM11 adapter to maintain the OnStar, SWC controls etc. The wires are connected to a Kenwood head unit (DNX572BH). Now the problem, still can't the SWC to work. Running out of options. Any suggestion.
If the resistance checks ok plug your A6-A7 back in, turn everything on and test for voltage at the top of the clock spring on the A6 circuit. There should be voltage, I'm not sure how much, probably 5v or battery voltage. Shut everything off and check the resistance of A7 to ground.
Start with those checks and report back.
#79
Intermediate
I don't know anything about those aftermarket parts. Is that PAC supposed to work with the Kenwood, including the SWC? You're going to need to do some diagnostics. Get a multimeter, disconnect your A6 & A7 connector. Check the resistance from A6 to A7 while pushing a single SWC button, you should have a resistance range from about 1270 ohms to 3102 ohms depending on which SWC button you push, each button will have a different resistance. If you have OL or 0 ohms then the problem is with your wiring.
If the resistance checks ok plug your A6-A7 back in, turn everything on and test for voltage at the top of the clock spring on the A6 circuit. There should be voltage, I'm not sure how much, probably 5v or battery voltage. Shut everything off and check the resistance of A7 to ground.
Start with those checks and report back.
If the resistance checks ok plug your A6-A7 back in, turn everything on and test for voltage at the top of the clock spring on the A6 circuit. There should be voltage, I'm not sure how much, probably 5v or battery voltage. Shut everything off and check the resistance of A7 to ground.
Start with those checks and report back.
Got it, I chase it back to a bad RP5 module. Change it out and all grins!!!!!! Works fantastic, no programming, just plug and play. Thank to all on the forum for your help.
#80
Adding phone controls
I have a 07 ZO6 with Bose and Avic8200nex. All audio controls work on steering wheel. I want to change the wheel to get phone controls. Will I need to change anything else? Or just program the phone controls into the adapter for the SWC.