Connecting steering wheel controls on the cheap!?

Question

I've just put a JVC radio in my Rover 200. The radio has a 'OE steering control connector' which is a jack socket. The car has a connector with 4 wires the went to the old radio. 2 of these are for the steering controls adn I understand it's just a case of differing resistances appearing across these lines dependant on which button is pressed.

The proper leads to get the car talking to the radio are around £35! Is there an easier (cheaper!) way? I'm happy to cut wires or build a circuit if necessary.

What is it the radio is expecting to see by way of input on the steering control socket?

Thanks!

Haynes manual shows 2 wires coming from the radio switched to ground at the steering control. But what does the JVC radio expect?

Answer 1

Sorry, it's not that easy.
You're right that the steering wheel side is a ladder of resistors. But the JVC side is looking for the same signal as the IR remote control is sending.
The modules you buy (like from PAC, www.pac-audio.com) recognize the voltage drop across the two leads and then pulls the output line to ground in the same signal as the remote control pulses.
If you were to build your own circuit you would have to use a PIC and program it to learn the IR pulses. Easier but not cheaper to buy a unit PAC built.

Answer 2

There might have been an adaptor that could have been installed - not available for all head/car combinations and if having one fitted by somewhere like Halfords this would have been an extra xcost option of up to £80 ish You will need a wiring adaptor if one is available.

Answer 3

Buy the version that somes with a remote control to it and duct tape the remote on.

Answer 4

i would look at the Haynes manual at the wiring diagram and construct your own circuit this should save you allot of money.