How to Install Steering Wheel Radio Controls

Looks like SOJ took care of this for the 08 LGT!

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=18456&d=1147704920

Sorry, kinda hard to make out, actually..

But, maybe I can do an '08 retrofit next year!!

HV

OK I see what you guys mean now. Another crazy idea to throw into the mix for you two. I am assuming that all the buttons for the radio controls have different resistances and that’s how it all works. If this is the case then can’t we still use only one set of controls and make a small board to switch from one set of resistances to another. Like mute= 2.2 ohms and mode= 1.7 ohms so a board and switch could then be fabbed to switch the load and send the desired signal. I am just making up numbers but I think it will help you get my concept. I am sure the first board will require some planning and thinking out but it seems doable. I am really split right now because I hardly ever use the shifter buttons on the wheel rather I use the stick. After seeing the crazy good aftermarket install with the pioneer it all might be for nothing as that is a project I want to take on. Anyone feel like a road trip or a meet up to do some crazy stuff? Let me know what you guys think about the switch idea.

Sorry for the delay in replying...

A board may be possible depending on how the steering wheel shifter controls actually work.

You would have to run wires at the switch level to make something like this work, but I think that there is a little room in the steering wheel behind the air bag. It would be pretty complicated.

OK guys I am going to be trying, in the next couple of weeks, to figure out what other commands the stereo can handle besides the ones on the controls.

For example, when I was first hooking up the connections, I was able to make the stereo say "CALL" and it was muted while I held down the button.

This makes be believe that the stereo is programed to perform more than what the controls now send it.

I would like to ultimately have the MODE button setup to scroll through the channel presets. I don't know if that is even possible yet, but I plan on sending all kinds of signals to see what the stereo can do...

Here is what we know so far from the factory service manual:

MUTE - 22 Ohms

Volume + - 90 Ohms

Volume - - 200 Ohms

MODE - 360 Ohms

Seek + - 690 Ohms

Seek - - 1500 Ohms

Nominal - 4700 Ohms

Oh really?!

Man, I wish I had more time to play with this, because I have a head unit just SITTING in my closet that I wouldn't mind setting up to play with some of this stuff.

Nuts.

At least a "Call" or "Mute" button would be nice for those without the controlls. They can put it on the console near the seat warmers or shifter.

Just write in which pin of the harness it goes and someone wil make it work.

^^ The Orange/White and Purple/White. Does not matter which as long as the resistance between the two is indicated above when the button is pressed. These wires are on the right side of the stereo, the same side as the volume control.

I don't understand how that works.

Or do you mean, as long as the resistance between the two is correct, it doesn't matter which direction it's set up?

Has anyone tried this on a 5EAT? Is there any specific reason that you used solid core instead of braided wire? I think I am going to do this as soon as my work stops shipping me out all over the U.S.

________

Gay Anal

Is there any specific reason that you used solid core instead of braided wire?

Easier to jam into the connectors.

Still looking for one of your takeoffs!

Needs to be stamped Momo!

Plz PM!

I don't understand how that works.

 

Or do you mean, as long as the resistance between the two is correct, it doesn't matter which direction it's set up?

Correct.

(Sorry for the delay, I did not get an email about your post... )

I am up for doign this on a 5AT ..

I need to source those pods ... I am also VERY interested in additional 'modes' the stereo can handle.. hands free phone via speakers ??

I am up for doign this on a 5AT ..

 

I need to source those pods ... I am also VERY interested in additional 'modes' the stereo can handle.. hands free phone via speakers ??

The other modes you mention would be with another part. In the UK, Subaru sells a bluetooth kit. It probably has a signal it sends to the stereo to mute the call and routes the sound through the speakers. This is another feature that I don't know of anyone in the States who has tried this part. If you use Bluetooth, it's usually easier to just use a headset anyway, IMO.

Basicly to make a long story short here we are only dealing with 2 wires (technicaly there are 4, the remaining 4 pins on ST4. remember there are 5 and pin #5 is the horn) but 2 wires are for illumination and on AT cars that is all set and are allready wired (don't know about MT's). On the wiring diagram 5EAT legacys use 2 pins for the shift control - pins 2 and 4, and on a legacy with audio controls it uses pins 1 and 2, pin # 3 is the ground. It's just a matter of removing the 2 shift wires and splicing the 2 to the stereo. YOU STILL have to add the 2 wires because the wire that would connect to pin 1 is blank on my connector.

 

Disclaimer - It might not be 100% but in theory I think that would work, any suggestions or corrections would be helpful and appreciated

thanks

Illumination should already be there if you have the shifter controls. So you are correct there are two wires to cut and run to the back of the stereo. It is FOR SURE, NOT there on the MT that is why I had to run wires for illumination.

Have you plugged in a stereo controls to make sure that the illumination uses the same wires for the shifter controls and the stereo controls? Nobody has actually done this to confirm they use the same pins. The AT control system wiring diagram contains no reference to illumination, only two control wires Pins 2,4 on the roll connector (ST4) and 7,2 on the Body unit (B68), and a ground pin 3 (ST4) and 8 on (B68).

I have asked 5EAT owners 1,000,001 times if the shift controls are illuminated, and have never received a response. One more time 5EAT, are your shifter controls illuminated on the steering wheel?

Now, for the steering wheel STEREO controls, the wiring diagram for the audio system does not even have ST4 on it (we can find that information elsewhere however). It does have B68 and what wires must leave that connector to go to B36 to control the stereo, and illumination. NONE of these wires exist on an MT. You MUST run all off them. they are pins 7, 6 (for stereo control), and 2 and 8 (for illumination). From the stereo remote switch diagnostic, we know that pins 1,2 on ST4 are used to control the stereo.

next, what all this crap means...

Now to continue this discussion a basic diagram of the stereo controls:

ST4 is the green connector that is part of the switch assembly in all legacy's. In the MT's and 4EAT's this switch is only wired for the horn, one wire on pin 5. leaving 1-4 empty

In 5EAT's the green connector has the horn (Pin 5), and controls for the sport shift, these use pins 2,3 and 4. Leaving 1 empty.

In Cars equipped with steering wheel stereo controls they use pin 5 (horn), and pins 1,2,3,4 for the stereo controls. (1,2 for the actual control, and 3,4 for illumination.)

Now the wires on B68 that lead into the rest of the car are as follows (only the pins we are interested in):

Pin 3 = Horn

Pin 2, 7, 6, 8 = Depends on application (damn Subaru!)

In a 5EAT pins 2 and 7 are used to connect to the shift lever, and therefore into the TCM to control shifting. Pin 6 is not used. 8 is Ground

In a MT and 4EAT, 2, 6, 7, 8, are not used there are no wires running off of 868.

In a car with stereo switches from the factory, 6, and 7 go to the stereo (eventually), 2 is illumination control, 8 is Ground.

So, a person with a 5EAT or 2.5i MT, or 4EAT CAN install this.

Here are the preliminary procedures:

2.5i MT and 4EAT: SAME as a GT with Manual. Read the directions above and go to town.

5EAT: Follow steps 1-9. When you get to step 10 here are the differences:

1. You will have to cut the wires leading to the TCM, these are pins 2 and 7, the wire colors are:

Pin 2 (VW) Violet with White Stripe

Pin 7 (L) Blue

2. Leave enough room to reconnect them later if you want to go back to stock and to allow enough room to tap them. You may have to peel back several inches of tape covering the wire bundle.

3. Connect one of the control wires from the stereo to the wire coming out of pin 7 (Blue), and connect the other one (pin 6) as shown in the directions same as MT.

4. Then connect the illumination using Pin 2 wire (Violet with White stripe) to the violet with white stripe on the back of the stereo.

Some notes:

1. 2.5i cars, you MAY not have the correct roll connector, the only way to find out is to buy the wheel and connect it up. Worst case scenario is that you have to buy the roll connector from a GT. ($60) Also it has not been confirmed that the single disc stereo will accept the commands from the controls, but the wires have been confirmed to be there, so I would bet my money on the fact that they WILL work.

2. 5EAT cars, it is POSSIBLE, that the illumination may just work when you plug it in, but I doubt it. Also we may have to modify the above directions so that the dimmer switch works correctly. This is something to check when doing the install. So check illumination before you continue cutting wires.

I hope this answers some of the same questions I get a LOT and addresses some of the concerns of those with AT and the 2.5i

I have a 5EAT and I DO NOT have illumination, so I would say it is not present.

Again...my shifter buttons DO NOT ILLUMINATE when the lights turn on!!\

Since I am doing other work to my vehicle, I will be installing these at the same time. I will try to take pics and do some additional investigation to the questions.

I have a 5EAT and I DO NOT have illumination, so I would say it is not present.

 

Again...my shifter buttons DO NOT ILLUMINATE when the lights turn on!!\

 

Since I am doing other work to my vehicle, I will be installing these at the same time. I will try to take pics and do some additional investigation to the questions.

THANK YOU!

Feel free to contact me if you have questions, also I hope the info above helps a little.

I think that pin 4 on the roll connector is ground for the illumination. I know that if you touch pins 4 and 5 together, you'll sound the horn.

Don't ask how I know this.

I think that pin 4 on the roll connector is ground for the illumination. I know that if you touch pins 4 and 5 together, you'll sound the horn.

 

Don't ask how I know this.

That is correct, pin 4 on ST4 is ground.

I have a 5EAT and I DO NOT have illumination, so I would say it is not present.

 

Again...my shifter buttons DO NOT ILLUMINATE when the lights turn on!!\

 

Since I am doing other work to my vehicle, I will be installing these at the same time. I will try to take pics and do some additional investigation to the questions.

I concur - NO illumination on 5EATs..

Was just lamenting the lack of illumination of the cruise control (compared to my wife's Mazda 3) last night, and, there was no illumination of the shift buttons either.

HV

Our cruise is so intuitive, why would you need illumination to work it? That's just VW engineering for you ... make another fancy "feature" to fail.

Simplicity of our cruise is just beautiful!

I think that pin 4 on the roll connector is ground for the illumination. I know that if you touch pins 4 and 5 together, you'll sound the horn.

 

Don't ask how I know this.

How were the pants afterwards?

We need to get Pillboy to buy the stereo pods and get the first 5EAT set up!

Don't tempt me. Others are much farther ahead and we might as well let them continue. Illumination is no big deal as you will quickly get used to what button does what.

I need to study the wiring diagrams more. It doesn't make any sense that each model (auto, manual, auto climate, etc) would have a different wiring harness in the steering column...too many variables when you build them. My problem is too many other things demanding my attention...happens as you get older.