Steering wheel volume controls

[insideright]

Hi.

Recently acquired 2005 2.4l Alphard, with camper van conversion by Calder Campers nr. Livingston, W. Lothian.

As part of the conversion, they have fitted a Pioneer SPH-DA160DAB head unit, which is fine as it allows me to connect my phone, stream playlists, connect android auto as well as play the usual range of FM or DAB radio stations. However, I have been informed that it is not possible to connect the unit in a way that ensures that the steering wheel volume controls are functional. This struck me as a bit strange as it has been possible to connect in such a way that the rear reversing camera works. 
Can anyone advise whether it is actually possible to get the steering wheel volume controls to work ?

[nov]

You will adaptor, it's simply plug in job.

 

I have this one for my Kenwood https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373176086232 

[insideright]

Many thanks for that.
From the eBay ad it appears that the same one would probably do for my Pioneer unit, albeit with a 3.5mm jack connector rather than a single wire for your Kenwood. However, not sure if my level of expertise is sufficient to take on the job myself - is it something someone with very limited experience with auto audio should be taking on ?

[nov]

I had to cut two wires in the adapter however looks like for Pioneer you don't need to cut anything.

 

Connections are based on the sockets, simply plug in. Below post have some real pictures of the wiring.

 

 

 

[Andrew]

One of the first things I bought for my alphard was a steering wheel button adaptor,

removed the head unit to access the wiring harness behind, plugged it into the only socket it would fit into and the steering wheel buttons now work perfectly 👍

[insideright]

Andrew, was the adaptor you used the same one that Nov has linked above .

[Fred]

On 1/17/2022 at 1:00 PM, insideright said:

Hi.

Recently acquired 2005 2.4l Alphard, with camper van conversion by Calder Campers nr. Livingston, W. Lothian.

As part of the conversion, they have fitted a Pioneer SPH-DA160DAB head unit, which is fine as it allows me to connect my phone, stream playlists, connect android auto as well as play the usual range of FM or DAB radio stations. However, I have been informed that it is not possible to connect the unit in a way that ensures that the steering wheel volume controls are functional. This struck me as a bit strange as it has been possible to connect in such a way that the rear reversing camera works. 
Can anyone advise whether it is actually possible to get the steering wheel volume controls to work ?

Hi did you solve this problem i'm in the same boat with the same head unit 
Thanks

[Rojie]

10 hours ago, Fred said:

Hi did you solve this problem i'm in the same boat with the same head unit 
Thanks

 

Hello Fred,

 

Welcome to the Forum

[Fred]

46 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

Hello Fred,

 

Welcome to the Forum

Hi Thanks for adding me.

[Arthur]

On 1/17/2022 at 1:00 PM, insideright said:

Hi.

Recently acquired 2005 2.4l Alphard, with camper van conversion by Calder Campers nr. Livingston, W. Lothian.

As part of the conversion, they have fitted a Pioneer SPH-DA160DAB head unit, which is fine as it allows me to connect my phone, stream playlists, connect android auto as well as play the usual range of FM or DAB radio stations. However, I have been informed that it is not possible to connect the unit in a way that ensures that the steering wheel volume controls are functional. This struck me as a bit strange as it has been possible to connect in such a way that the rear reversing camera works. 
Can anyone advise whether it is actually possible to get the steering wheel volume controls to work ?

Hi

 

Think I picked up my AWD 3.0 2007 Alphie from Calder a week or two after you. They initially told me that the Pioneer wouldn’t work with the steering controls but after I pressed them on the subject they managed to work out how to do it. The camera was replaced but everything else works as it should.

[Chris.ac]

I'm not sure what the issue is, it's just a standard resistance based system. 

Pretty much any android based headunit comes with a learn function - the sole purpose is to measure the resistance as each button is pressed - as long as they connect the 2 switch wires and in some cases, the ground. 

 

These dodgy pioneer and alpine systems probably like to sell some overpriced 'adaptor' that is just some proprietary connector, and that is the real problem, they don't usually sell EU spec headunits with jdm connectors. 

[Fred]

51 minutes ago, Chris.ac said:

I'm not sure what the issue is, it's just a standard resistance based system. 

Pretty much any android based headunit comes with a learn function - the sole purpose is to measure the resistance as each button is pressed - as long as they connect the 2 switch wires and in some cases, the ground. 

 

These dodgy pioneer and alpine systems probably like to sell some overpriced 'adaptor' that is just some proprietary connector, and that is the real problem, they don't usually sell EU spec headunits with jdm connectors. 

I got everything working including front and rear camera even the oem dab antenna works, there are four connectors i tried each in turn and found 2 give full signal and two give reduced signal so just used one of the ones that gave full signal and tucked the others out the way. As for the steering controls i got the mode button to function correctly by putting a 500 ohm resistor in series with the input but can not get the volume and seek buttons to work, i can't find any info on what the head unit needs to work but i have a feeling there is only a ground and one input because no matter what i try i cannot get anything to happen on the second input of the jack plug so i think your right i might have to buy some overpriced adaptor to convert the two outputs from the steering wheel into one which i don't mind but need to know what works for sure before i buy 

[charlaph]

I installed an Eonon Android head unit in my 2004 3.0 and used that exact dynamic sounds adaptor and it worked out the box. It comes with a 'universal patch lead' which has dipswitches for compatibility with different manufacturers and wiring variances, by default it worked with mine so I didn't need to change anything. It claims compatibility with pioneer head units without needing to change anything also, so should be literally plug and play.

 

If in doubt, get in touch with dynamic sounds and buy direct from their website, it'll cost a few quid extras but I'd be confident they'd take a return if it didn't work. I'm sure they would on eBay as well, but going directly though them without the middleman might be worth it for the peace of mind.

[Fred]

7 hours ago, charlaph said:

I installed an Eonon Android head unit in my 2004 3.0 and used that exact dynamic sounds adaptor and it worked out the box. It comes with a 'universal patch lead' which has dipswitches for compatibility with different manufacturers and wiring variances, by default it worked with mine so I didn't need to change anything. It claims compatibility with pioneer head units without needing to change anything also, so should be literally plug and play.

 

If in doubt, get in touch with dynamic sounds and buy direct from their website, it'll cost a few quid extras but I'd be confident they'd take a return if it didn't work. I'm sure they would on eBay as well, but going directly though them without the middleman might be worth it for the peace of mind.

Thanks i'll look into that i have the mode button working but not the volume or seek buttons which i thought i could live with but i cant when the buttons are there not working LOL i didn't realise how much i used them until they were gone.

Edited August 18, 2023 by Fred

[Viv]

Hi

Just collected my 2006 Alphard yesterday...am not remotely technical. Bought a replacement stereo which garage have installed however; they can't get steering wheel controls to work or reversing camera. I've watched endless YouTube videos and spoken to the guy who sold me the stereo who has said he will send video but isn't doing that so far....I just want to get this sorted as soon and as cheaply as possible...please can someone advise exactly what I need...the garage have said they will sort it but need to know exactly what's required... if I'm reading the post correctly it's £94 for rear camera interface but £515 for steering wheel controls... which seems excessive. On a different post there's a link to an ebay item that should sort it but it's showing out of stock. The person who supplied stereo says no interface is needed.

Please will someone just tell me exactly what I need.

This is the ebay reference no. for the stereo: 125536408381

Thank you

 

 

[Picasso]

just checked the listing its made for the alphard so it should be just plug and play unless garage have done somthing wrong when fitting 

[Viv]

42 minutes ago, Picasso said:

just checked the listing its made for the alphard so it should be just plug and play unless garage have done somthing wrong when fitting 

 

[Viv]

Thank you for that, I've read somewhere about something needing to be grounded...what does that mean....and would it make a big difference?

[Picasso]

Grounding is for handbrake wire switch if you ground it which I don't recommend as it's illegal allows you to watch videos whilst driving 

[Viv]

Thank you !  definitely won't be asking anyone to do that for me.

[Geralt]

21 hours ago, Viv said:

This is the ebay reference no. for the stereo: 125536408381

Can you provide a link to the head unit's installation instructions then I can take a look at the wiring?

Edited December 22, 2023 by Geralt

[Viv]

23 minutes ago, Geralt said:

Can you provide a link to the head unit's installation instructions then I can take a look at the wiring?

Hi

Thank you, but no unfortunately not as there were no instructions of any type with the unit.

[Geralt]

20 minutes ago, Viv said:

Hi

Thank you, but no unfortunately not as there were no instructions of any type with the unit.

 

OK. Not much to go on then. I had a look at the pics in the eBay listing. The adapter cables look very familar so I'm fairly confident your steering wheel controls will work. All I can offer you is a link to my head unit post where's a discussion on steering wheel control switches.

There's also a wiring diagram. It's just a matter of connecting three wires (SWC1, SWC2 and GND) but that's easy for me to say. By you're own admission, you're not technical so you need to find someone with some school electronics. Otherise I think you're at the mercy of the installer unfortunately.

 

There's an possibility (but unlikely) that the installer has connected the SWC switches but hasn't programmed the steering wheel controls. Try finding the "SWC Settings" in your HU menus. Then try to program the switches. Worth a try.

Edited December 22, 2023 by Geralt

[Viv]

18 minutes ago, Geralt said:

 

OK. Not much to go on then. I had a look at the pics in the eBay listing. The adapter cables look very familar so I'm fairly confident your steering wheel controls will work. All I can offer you is a link to my head unit post where's a discussion on steering wheel control switches.

There's also a wiring diagram. It's just a matter of connecting three wires (SWC1, SWC2 and GND) but that's easy for me to say. By you're own admission, you're not technical so you need to find someone with some school electronics. Otherise I think you're at the mercy of the installer unfortunately.

 

There's an possibility (but unlikely) that the installer has connected the SWC switches but hasn't programmed the steering wheel controls. Try finding the "SWC Settings" in your HU menus. Then try to program the switches. Worth a try.

Great, thank you. I will pass this on to garage and hopefully that will sort it. But will have a look in HU menus...if I can find them..lol.

[Geralt]

3 minutes ago, Viv said:

I will pass this on to garage and hopefully that will sort it.

Sounds like a plan.

 

Just to be clear then:

 

- They may need this connector: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334552676958

- The vehicle wire colours they are looking for are:

    SWC1 : Yellow & Black

    SWC2 : Red & Yellow

    GND: Brown & Yellow.

 

Good luck!