Steering Wheel Controls with Aftermarket Radio

[Icetera]

Has anyone had any luck with the Steering Wheel Control Interfaces (PAC SWI-JACK) for aftermarket radios in the GLLs? I have found the wire (red/black) that transmits from the head amplifier (in the knee bolster) to the reciever (under the rear seat/storage) and it gives me varying voltage readings in relation to each button, but the interface does not seem to be accepting it. I checked the 7 pin connector at the radio and found no positive readings in relation to the steering wheel controls, though I have yet to check if the radio receives negative signals.

EDIT: It looks like there are two inputs up to the receiver and I bet I caught the A.S.C.D. input instead. I will have to check the Red/White wire tomorrow.
Modified by Icetera at 6:08 PM 4/3/2010

[Broadfield]

Doubtful it will work, but you can give it a shot. It's a learning interface, so you never know. However, the Z31 is not listed as a viable candidate..... only the Z32.

[Icetera]

Doubtful it will work, but you can give it a shot. It's a learning interface, so you never know. However, the Z31 is not listed as a viable candidate..... only the Z32.

PAC's site and documentation lists all years/models for the 300zx, though the couple notes that they do list in their instructions (documentation is lacking for 300zxs in general) are clearly for the Z32. Every shop I have spoken with claims this will work (one even said they install in z31s all the time... right...), though the lack of documentation has had me skeptical from the beginning. I will check the other input I missed tomorrow.

[Broadfield]

That's weird because I can't find anywhere on their site where it lists anything older than an 89' as being applicable. However, I am not at the shop, so I don't have the vehicle specific wiring instructions in front of me. And if a shop says they do them all of the time, then you should be good to go. I do find it strange though that a shop does steering wheel controls "all of the time" in Z31's...... considering I have only had two of them in my shop in the last 17 years. And those weren't even getting radios.

Good luck man, I hope it works out for ya!

Toby

[Icetera]

I do find it strange though that a shop does steering wheel controls "all of the time" in Z31's...... considering I have only had two of them in my shop in the last 17 years. And those weren't even getting radios.

I also found it suspicious. In the 3 years I installed I had not seen a single z31, though plenty of z32s (never intergrating steering wheel controls). They also tried to claim that a certain Alpine unit was compatible based on the jack in back (which was a mic jack) with the PAC SWI-JACK. Upon researching, I found it to not be compatible.

I have not seen anything on PAC's site listing 89+, just all years for the 300zx. I do wonder, though, how many vehicles pre-89 actually had steering wheel controls...

[Conspirator05]

Yes steering wheels before 89 had controls...

And I really doubt there's any way to install the steering wheel controls to the aftermarket radio. I bought my car w/ the radio and had to confangle the wires in quirky ways just to get all the speakers to work.

[AZ-ZBum]

I also found it suspicious. In the 3 years I installed I had not seen a single z31, though plenty of z32s (never intergrating steering wheel controls). They also tried to claim that a certain Alpine unit was compatible based on the jack in back (which was a mic jack) with the PAC SWI-JACK. Upon researching, I found it to not be compatible.

I have not seen anything on PAC's site listing 89+, just all years for the 300zx. I do wonder, though, how many vehicles pre-89 actually had steering wheel controls...

According to the Z registry information, there were 133,695 Z31s made with radio controls on their steering wheels.

BTW: I think this is one of the more pointless worries. The stock Z31 steering wheel controls did very few things. Volume (which the PAC doesn't support), station scan, power, and alternate between AM/FM and Tape.

Basically, you get 3, maybe 4 features out of it. Pretty worthless IMO for the cost of the unit and the time of the install. Any stereo that has a remote option will fit nicely in that tray in front of the power mirror controls.

[Icetera]

According to the Z registry information, there were 133,695 Z31s made with radio controls on their steering wheels.

BTW: I think this is one of the more pointless worries. The stock Z31 steering wheel controls did very few things. Volume (which the PAC doesn't support), station scan, power, and alternate between AM/FM and Tape.

Basically, you get 3, maybe 4 features out of it. Pretty worthless IMO for the cost of the unit and the time of the install. Any stereo that has a remote option will fit nicely in that tray in front of the power mirror controls.

I meant how many cars, other than the Z, pre-1989 had steering wheel controls? I agree that worrying about the steering wheel controls is a minor issue, but for $30 (deal with radio) it was worth at least some effort. Since I purchased this car more for nostalgia reasons, I would like to keep it functioning as close as possible to how it did in 1987. If I come across a functioning factory tape deck (or parts to repair mine), I may throw it back in, which is kind of ironic considering how much money I used to throw into audio equipment ten years ago.

[Perrenial Badass]

I've got a functioning one. Can't recall if I've ever used a tape in it, but I used one of those tape adapters for an MP3 player so I would guess that's all good. It's just sitting in the box of the Pioneer I upgraded to. If you are interested, shoot me an email.

[email protected]

[AZ-ZBum]

Do a google search for "wild bill 300zx repair". He's supposedly one of the best around for Z31 stereo and dash repairs. Prices aren't outrageous if you really want to keep the stock stuff. I, personally, haven't seen an audio tape in years and everything I have is on CD.

[csdpb]

i have an after market stereo and installed a PAC unit. it works fine but you have to cut wires and solder resisters on 4 wires in order of ohms. the wheel for volume will not work but i use the top 2 buttons for volume and bottom 2 for tracks. the signal has to come from an intermitent button.