Steering wheel audio contold\s

[mpd818]

Hello all. I have searched and not found the answer to my question. I have an 07 Ford Explorer. On one side of the steering wheel I have the cruise control buttons. On the other side of the steering wheel there is a blank where I am assuming the factory audio controls go. My question is can I but the factory audio control buttons and put in that blank on the steering wheel?
Thanks!

 

[aaronajb1981]

It could be done, but its a lot more than just adding the switches. you need to replace the "clock" (module on the column that spins with wires). Not worth it in my opinion. You may need a new shroud around it too if its a different size, then the steering wheel mounting may be different also.

 

[jrford]

From what i know the Clock spring is the Same. I bet it would work, from everything I've seen in the dash (except for the radio) all the plugs have been there. Also every radio I've seen has wires for steering control, Yellow wire in the 20pin. Steering wheel plugs goto the BCM as does the Radio. The only thing that might prevent it, is if the BCM doesn't support it, but i don't see why not.

For my jeep i picked up a steering wheel that had them and was able to plug and play.
Best $25 i spent on the thing. The radio was ready from the factory, but i'm unsure about the Ex's radio. . .

 

[OhFourEx]

I want to do the same thing on my 07 EB, it doesn't have the wheel controls. I know this is an old thread, but which answer is correct - easy p&p buttons, or rewiring with new clock spring?

TIA

 

[hkg53]

I have all the 2008 Explorer, Mountaineer and Sport Trac manuals including the electrical manual.

I tried to find what wires would be there but I cannot seem to find anything regarding that side of the steering wheel. they have the cruise control but nothing on the stereo remote.

I will search some more tomorrow. At least it may help to identify what wires you should possibly have. I don't thing there would be that much different between 06 through 08, not sure about 09's.

If you have anything you need me to look up, let me know.

Good night all.

 

[jrford]

i didn't know it would work with the heep, i was thinking id just spend the $25 on the wheel and if id didn't work a well i was only out the $25. but it was plug and play.

With the Ex the switches would be resistance based, in other words the same wire controls cruise/radio/temp etc. . up volume would be 75ohms; down vol. 100ohms etc.

I'd feel somewhat confident if those two wires where in back of the radio, in the 20pin harness. If those are not there i would consider it unlikely. but if they are there, then i'd check the steering wheel plugs, you should have wires on one end that are not being used, which would be for the radio switches. And of course a plug to hook up the buttons.

 

[Petey12371]

does the Radio have something to do with the SWC buttons?
Meaning - does the vehicle have an interface unit or do the buttons wire directly to the HU. I added factory radio steering wheel control switch to my 06 Eddie Bauer and I get no response from the radio. my wire harness only has 2 plugs, and the deck only has 2 spots to plug into. on my 2002 Explorer XLT, I was able to just add the radio control to the steering wheel with no issue - controls the radio just fine.

Now my deck has an AUX button on the face of the radio but I no place on the back of the deck to plug any other device into (i.e. sat radio, Ipod, CD changer).
do I just have a basic radio and need to go up to a premium factory deck to get the SWC to work, or do I need to switch out the wire harness from the radio to the steering wheel?