another mod: radio remote

[Mykel]

Hi Folks,

after some time (and the necessity to have the centre console off for a completely different reason ), I have finally managed to get the radio remote buttons for the steering wheel to work. It works a treat and is nice, especially when your head unit has no physical knobs anymore (like my Clarion) and you have to iPhone-like slide your left finger up and down the thing while driving

So this is what you need:
1. a remote control unit from a Rover 45 (thanks Rob):

2. an Autoleads control unit named PC99-X04 (off eBay, guess the seller):

and your steering wheel off the column, obviously. Fortunately, the fixing holes for the remote control are already present, but hidden under the moulded rubber. So go ahead and scratch them free:

Now comes the scary bit: Take your precious steering wheel (or a nice new one made from wood, thanks Nigel!) and attack it with a sharp knife to make way for the buttons:

It is a good idea to start with quite a small hole and gradually widen it until the unit fits snugly.

[... to be continued]

[Mykel]

... and then presto! here you go with the new creation:

Next thing is to fit the two spades into the black connector that goes into the rotary coupler. Using positions 1 and 2 is a good idea, as this is where they originally sit on the 45. Unfortunately I couldn't take any more photos as to the wiring, but it's dead simple:

With the steering wheel off, remove the top cover from the steering column and pull out the white plug from the rotary coupler. I used two old spades from another white connector I got from a breaker to connect two wires to positions 1 and 2, simply soldering them in place. Those wires will need to go to positions 2 and 3 of the car's ISO power connector. Again, I used the spades from an old connector block and soldered them to the two wires, pressing them into the respective slots in the connector.
Now refit connector, cover, steering wheel and airbag and reconnect the battery.

Next is to connect the patch wire (radio specific) to the Autoleads adapter box:

... and try to fit everything into the space behind the radio . Usually you first connect power and speakers and let the radio start up once while still out of its frame. Then connect the patch lead to the remote socket in the radio and try the buttons on the wheel. In my case, it worked instantly. Radio back in place and job done.

Eager for your comments
Mykel

[Tipper]

I like that, well done. Looks pretty easy too assuming your radio has the interface connections.

There'll be a run on remote buttons on ebay now!

[Reckless Rat]

Nice mod!

I've still got the original MG radio/cassette player in mine. (the wind-up one that runs on steam)

Mind you it does play ZZ Top "Eliminator" dead loud from time to time...and my left arm is more than long enough to reach the volume knob.

[Rob Bell]

Nice one Mykel - glad you got it fitted! I am now seriously thinking of not using my Rover 45 steering wheel, which as you accurately spotted is larger than the original MGF one, and transferring the radio remote and cruise switches to my existing steering wheel And not fishing out the horn buttons is probably the best idea too!

[Dieter K]

Eager for your comments
Mykel

[talkingcars]

Autoleads do different leads for different makes of headunit.

[Mykel]

Autoleads do different leads for different makes of headunit.

That's right, they come in two "parts", one being the adapter box, which is specific to the car's make and/or model. For the Rover 25/45/75 with ISO connectors (not the BMW style ones) this is PC99-X04. The other half is the patch lead, which is specific for the respective head unit. There's a whole bunch available, for Alpine, JVC, Panasonic, and so on.

BTW to explain the functionality of the remote buttons and how they work with only 2 wires: on each button press a certain resistor is switched between the two contacts, therefore the wires' polarity is not important. This resistance will then be calculated by the adapter box and transformed to the necessary signal for the head unit's remote control logic. The installation can even be extended with another pair of buttons on the other side of the steering wheel without need for more wires in the car. They will simply connect to the same wires inside the steering wheel, as these buttons will give different resistance values.

Just to make sure that there's never a last word on any mod