Steering wheel remote problem

[MrSag]

I have a great head unit installed (JVC KD SH-99), but it sucks that JVC doesn't make any steering wheel remote controls, nor is it going to. So I was trying to find a workaround. So far I have not found any programmable steering wheel remotes. I thought about rewiring a Blaupunkt Thummer
http://pix.crutchfield.com/products/2000/023/l023SWREMOTEMT.jpeg
to send the right IR frequencies to my JVC. But since I'm not too keen on electronics, that's not a reallistic idea. (If anyone knows how to do that, please tell me, I'll prolly pay you lots of money.)
Then I found this interesting device, called a control interface
http://pix.crutchfield.com/products/2001/127/l127SWi2_dg.jpeg
that can receive an electric signal from an OEM steering wheel remote control, and interpret it into a programmable IR signal, hence controlling my head unit. This thing costs 70 bucks (:(), but if I can get it to work I'll buy it. Which brings me to my last problem. My steering wheel doesn't have any buttons or a controller. So does anyone know of a steering wheel that fits a '94 Caprice and has all those remote control buttons and a control output? If so, is it difficult to install it, and connect the horn and the air bag?

[LM13]

94 trans am and 97 grand pri have them steering wheel controls for sure.
dude
that oem thing, you saying that you dont have to run wieres from the controls to it? or you do?
i am thinknig the best way is to get some wireless thing, coz taking the steering column apart and putting it back together is a real pain.

[DR2000]

MrSag: If you want an air bag, you'll need to find a new wheel which has air bag in it.

LM13: IR is wireless. IR stands for infra red signal. That's what all the remotes used. So I believe first you wire this thing up to the buttons on your steering wheel, and then you place the unit somewhere in front of the head unit (I wonder where would you stick it though?).

[EliGC]

Sag, you pay me lots of money I'll learn how to do that.:D

[MrSag]

Ok, here's some information I was able to dig up on ImpalaSS forum. The wheel can be replaced with one from Lumina LTZ, Monte Carlo, or Firebird. I don't about the Firebird one, but Lumina LTZ and Monte Carlo steering wheels looks exactly the same (picture below), only the ones from Lumina, I think, come in different colors, while the ones from Monte Carlo are always black. They do have different part numbers. As for the control interface, it attaches to the airbag coil by the means of some adapter (which costs phucking 100 bucks!). I believe you have to run the wires through the steering column, but you don't have to take it apart. You just pull the wires through. The interface device itself can be placed out of view. The thick black wire that you can see in the post above has an "eye" at the end. This "eye" transmits the infra-red signals, and can be positioned so that it faces the head unit. So, there will be a thick wire sticking out from, probably, the left side of the front passenger seat.
Now before I go search the junkyards for a new steering wheel, I got another question for anyone who knows. I know that the people that switched their steering wheel had to buy a new air bag or patch a blown one inside the new wheel. Can't I just take the air bag out of my old wheel and put it in the new one?

[MrSag]

...here's the one from Monte

[MrSag]

AutocroSSer
Senior Member
Member # 13
posted 11-08-2001 12:47 AM
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If you ppl are still there, please reply to this.
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What the hell, I'm game


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Can I take my airbag out of my old steering wheel and put it in the Lumina or Monte steering wheel?
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Not even close


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What does the SIR coil look like and why is it so expensive?
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It is the interface between the wires coming up the column and the EXPLOSIVE CHARGE in your airbag. Needless to say, you want this part to work right!


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Can I just splice the wires instead?
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No


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Where to the remote control wires run? Through the steering column? If so, do I have to take apart the steering column, or can I just pull them through?
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Can pull them thru, and this is why you need the different SIR coil.


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What do I need to do to take off my steering wheel?
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For teh wheel itself, just a puller. For the airbag : get someone who has done it before to help you. This is NOT an area to be messing around!


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Do I have to disconnect the PCM beforehand?
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No, but disconnecting the battery first is a good idea.

[DR2000]

Yeah, this guy really knows what he's talking about. He's one of the most knowlegeble people on that board.