Steering wheel controls dont work

[Yamahakid88]

Having a little trouble figuring out why my steering wheel controls wont work, for the radio etc. It does have an aftermarket radio on it but since ive had ther car the controls have never worked. Anyone have an idea where to start?

[02NavyBlue]

So they never worked with the stock radio? And do they still light up with the headlights on?

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

They dont work because of the aftermarket radio.

You need a harness adapter to make them work again.

[02NavyBlue]

I was thinking that, but he mentioned it having an aftermarket radio after saying they never worked (making it sound like he had a stock radio at one point and they didn't work then)
But with an aftermarket radio, that alone cuts that option out of the picture.

[SomeDudeAtHome]

Don't mean to thread jack but this might be useful to the OP. Which harness do you need to get the controls to work again? And is it just plug and plsy if you pull the radio out?

[Kilroy]

I've been looking into this for my new headunit install. There are basically two styles of adapter, one that utilizes the remote control functions ot the new head unit, and one that plugs into the new head unit. If your new head unit has a plug (looks like a headphone plug from an mp3 player) on the back of the radio, then you are lucky. You can get one that plugs in, and can self program. If you do not have this plug on your new headunit, you need one that you need to program, and it basically acts like the hand held remote control that comes with basically every new headunit. Basically. (Yes, I just realized I used the word "basically" a bazillion times. Sorry. ) Axxess sells them, and I'm not sure who else.

[SomeDudeAtHome]

Thanks I'll have to look into these. Gotta find something that will make AM stations work again as well. Then my radio will be all set.

[BillBoost37]

Thanks I'll have to look into these. Gotta find something that will make AM stations work again as well. Then my radio will be all set.

On which item will work, we'd need to know what year. There are a few different ones out there and it may depend on the year of the car and which radio you are buying.

On the AM.. why? lol

[Chadgervais]

On the AM.. why? lol

Because AM is fun. Its cool to go climb a mountain before sunrise and see what AM signals you get.

From Bar Harbor ME at Mt Cadillac, I have picked up Toronto, Bermuda, Kansas City, and Gander. I believe i picked up the Dominican Republic as well. During the day, I can get WBZ from Boston clearly as far north as Bangor, about 250 miles.

[SomeDudeAtHome]

On which item will work, we'd need to know what year. There are a few different ones out there and it may depend on the year of the car and which radio you are buying.

On the AM.. why? lol

I have a 98 and this radio DEH-3200UB - CD Receiver with iPod® Direct Control and USB input | Pioneer Electronics USA

And am because the hockey and baseball games are on it and I'm usually driving home from work towards the end of the games.

[SomeDudeAtHome]

Is this what I would need for the AM to work? And anyone ever use the fm signal amplifiers? Since getting tint my FM isn't as strong as it was. If that would help I'll grab one of those too.

Metra Antenna Y-adapter Splits antenna signal (1 female to 2 male antenna connectors) at Crutchfield.com

[ILoveAudi]

If you have had the aftermarket head unit in since you've owned it then that's why. It doesn't bother me that mine don't work. I have a remote for my head unit anyway. There should be an adapter out there somewhere!

[Scottydoggs]

Having a little trouble figuring out why my steering wheel controls wont work, for the radio etc. It does have an aftermarket radio on it but since ive had ther car the controls have never worked. Anyone have an idea where to start?

any chance the airbag light is on? if so that could be why, even if its got the harness for the after market HU. (would be a broken clock spring.)

no airbag light on, then id lean towards you needing that harness to make em work again.