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Using Steering wheel button(s) as a switch?

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Old 02-13-2006, 03:12 PM
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Using Steering wheel button(s) as a switch?

Could I rewire my steering wheel buttons to do things like nitrous activation and purge? I don't see any reason why not...but I have never heard of anyone who has done it so I think there must be some reason.
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Old 02-13-2006, 05:04 PM
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Re: Steering wheel button for nitrous purge?

I don't see a reason why you couldn't but it is probably easier just to add a switch elseware on the car.
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Old 02-13-2006, 07:48 PM
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Re: Steering wheel button for nitrous purge?

Originally Posted by Injuneer
A "search" on the correct forum (N2O Tech) would have turned up this thread:

http://64.65.63.61/forums/showthread.php?t=428528
Well seeing how it would have many more uses then just purge...I thought general might of been a better spot.
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Old 02-13-2006, 08:22 PM
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Re: Steering wheel button for nitrous purge?

I assume your thinking about the stereo control buttons. A good idea in theory, but won't work without a lot of work and an electrical engenering degree.

All those functions are controlled by like 2-3 wires. The stereo has a small processor to break the signal down and deternime the correct function.

Re'
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Old 02-14-2006, 06:07 AM
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Re: Steering wheel button for nitrous purge?


I was thinking about this. Using the stock radio wire that run through the steering column.
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Old 02-14-2006, 08:17 AM
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Re: Steering wheel button for nitrous purge?

Yeah, but I want to keep the airbag.

I really don't see why it would be so hard...each button must need a wire going to it...why can't those wires just be tapped into?
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Old 02-14-2006, 09:03 AM
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Re: Steering wheel button for nitrous purge?

Originally Posted by TA-Body
Yeah, but I want to keep the airbag.

I really don't see why it would be so hard...each button must need a wire going to it...why can't those wires just be tapped into?
but they DON'T, there are a total of 2 wires for all the buttons, it is called resistive multiplexing, each button has a different resistant when pressed, and none of them add up to the same resistance as any others, and the BCM(or radio) interpretes the resistance since one of the wires has a set voltage, and the other wire drops to a specific voltage when the resistance(button) is applied
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Old 02-14-2006, 09:15 AM
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Re: Steering wheel button for nitrous purge?

2 buttons + 2 wires =
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Old 02-14-2006, 09:21 AM
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Re: Steering wheel button for nitrous purge?

Originally Posted by FastLt1
2 buttons + 2 wires =
doesn't work like that, if they were wired the way he needs, there would be at least 3 wires for them
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Old 02-14-2006, 03:58 PM
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Re: Steering wheel button for nitrous purge?

This is an interesting topic. I changed the words in the topic so it would fit on the "General F-Body Tech & Info" fourm.
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Old 02-14-2006, 04:18 PM
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Re: Using Steering wheel button(s) as a switch?

What you talking about is just a signal input, steering wheel radio controls are not 12volt switches. End of story, this is a waste of time.
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Old 02-14-2006, 04:19 PM
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Re: Using Steering wheel button(s) as a switch?

As pointed out above, the F-body steering wheel controls are not simple switches that you can wire stuff up to. There is a company that makes a box to interface to them though and provides various outputs. The name escapes me, but I seem to remember reading about it on ws6.com or somewhere in the past. In fact, I think Keith Locklier either developed it or tested it???
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Old 02-14-2006, 04:26 PM
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Re: Using Steering wheel button(s) as a switch?

Originally Posted by BlownF1
As pointed out above, the F-body steering wheel controls are not simple switches that you can wire stuff up to. There is a company that makes a box to interface to them though and provides various outputs. The name escapes me, but I seem to remember reading about it on ws6.com or somewhere in the past. In fact, I think Keith Locklier either developed it or tested it???
See now this is what I was tryign to get at. Yes you can't wire anything directly to them, but I don't see why there could not be some kind of box that would control them the same way the radio did.
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Old 02-14-2006, 06:57 PM
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Re: Using Steering wheel button(s) as a switch?

Try emailing PAC or checking their webpage (http://www.pac-audio.com/)...they make interfaces for the steering wheel controls to work with aftermarket stereos, they could probably turn you on to what you need, or perhaps a way for using one of theirs?? One of their guys is in the Southern California F-body club and might be able to help you.
In fact, I'll send him a link to this thread...

Last edited by BlownF1; 02-15-2006 at 10:47 AM.
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Old 02-14-2006, 06:59 PM
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Re: Using Steering wheel button(s) as a switch?

Can you forward this thread to him?
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