Steering wheel audio control

[vmons]

Should be easy, right? I have a 2006 xlt - on the steering wheel is a cruise control panel on the left and a blank panel on the right. can't i just pop out the blank panel, locate the harness from the stereo head unit and pop a factory audio control panel in ??

 

[EMG7895]

If its already wired yes, if not then you probably need the harness and a new clockspring with the correct wires.

 

[beachthug4]

Let me know if this works I am interested in trying too.

 

[johnd23]

I would like to know as well... I hate seeing the blank panel on my steering wheel.

 

[wharriso]

Has anyone gotten the control yet? If so, where did you get it? I see a lot of steering whells for sale but they are for 05 on back, none for 06+.
________
teen vids

 

[blu mi c5]

Unfortunately swapping out the steering wheel delete plate for the audio switch controller (and also the steering wheel wiring) will not control the radio. The switch will light up but the radio will not operate via the switch. I have an XLT with the Audiophile radio and swapped out the delete plate with a switch but no dice. It does look better though, as it lights up the steering wheel. All you need to get this "lighting effect" is the switch module and the wiring in the steering wheel. (The rest of the wiring is already in place...at least on the Audiophile equipped cars). Hope that helps.
Cheers.
PJ

 

[sooner_luvr]

Has anyone been able to get this to work? I have the CD/MP3/Cassette stereo.

Thanks.

 

[wharriso]

Does anyone know where to get the steering wheel controls from? Do you get them from the dealer? What do they cost?

 

[braggster]

I have a 2007 XLT on order with the 6 disk in dash changer. Can anyone tell me if the steering wheel control comes stock on this model or is it on a different model?

 

[Dapo2008]

Any luck swapping out steering wheel controls on an XLT?

 

[Dapo2008]

I just went to Dominic at ARC in Boston. He told me the reason that my nav system was not displaying time, was because it was originally programmed for a 2008 Ford Escape. Nonetheless, He programmed it for 2006 Explorers with Navigation and Audiophile Subwoofer package. He also put the option for steering wheel controls into the radio. This might be the reason why some of the guys with XLT cannot use the steering wheel controls even if they purchase them, I believe the CD/MP3 Radio, 6-In Dash, and Navigation Radio need to all be programmed to accept steering wheel controls before it is used. I am trying to purchase the steering wheel control pad right now, but I will def update to see if it works.

 

[whatnoise]

Any updates?

 

[automark]

EDIT: I've taken this question over to the explorer audio forum in attempt to get more audiophile expertise. Please see my post regarding S.W. controls in 06 XLT that didn't come with it from the factory. Then, post away! Let's get this figured out for all of us.
Thanks and regards,
MSH

Hi, I'm looking forward to updates also. My 06 XLT has the blanking plate. I don't have audiophile stuff, just the 1 disc with mp3 ability. Would be willing to upgrade head unit and switch, etc when the time comes.
I've pulled out my black blanking plate tonight, and there are no wires or connections behind it, so I think that a whole portion of the harness isn't in place that I'd need. ( I have no Audiophile package. I'll still try to find out more details.
If anyone has info, please post.
Thanks and regards,
MSH

 

[golfafire]

Anyone provide a update on this issue if you can install the audio controls on the steering wheel if you have the dummy plate. I did order the switch assy. today from my dealer to replace the dummy plate but I want to hook it up to work. I do have the 6 disc system.

 

[automark]

Hi, I still want it also. I've asked around some more, and apparently unless the wiring and the appropriate connectivity between the wheel and the back of the head unit is in place from the factory, it could prove to be difficult. I've not yet looked through the wiring diagrams, but apparently we can easily do the 6 disc mp3 system ( no subwoofer ) with very little effort.
The rub is that as soon as you try the SWC or the sub mods, you'd have to aftermarket wire the darn thing!
If anyone else has more details or updated information, PLEASE do post it.
thanks and regards,
MSH

 

[Dapo2008]

This is what I know about the steering wheel audio control (in order to get the switch light up and possibly have the steering wheel remote work). The good thing is that all the wiring is in place, the bad thing is that if you have a stock radio that was not programmed to have the steering wheel option, you are going to have to have it programmed for it. It was easy for me, because I have the navigation radio that I got off Ebay, and all you have to do is hold the 2 and 5 button down to see the diagnostics, and you can find out whether or not the radio has been programmed to do so. If not, then you can send it somewhere to get programmed, or go to your local Ford Dealership. The problem with wiring is, you have to get a separate wiring harness, from the Ford Dealership, which is different from the harness you have in your steering wheel in general. The harness in your steering wheel connects only to the cruise control, while in Explorers with steering wheel remotes, it connects to both the cruise control and the audio remote control. Nonetheless, to do this you have to remove the steering wheel, but first disable the power to your car so the airbag doesn't go off. Those comfortable with it, it should be a piece of cake, those not (like me, we would need someone to help us do it "which I have not yet," these are the instructions that blu mi ci 5 gave me, he seems to be pretty smart in this field.

If you follow the instructions, it's pretty easy, maybe a 4 on a 1 to 10 scale. I did it on my car no problem but I do this kind of stuff all the time, I'll give you the instructions but do it at your own risk (air bags must be treated with respect).
1) Turn all vehicle accessories off
2) Turn ignition sw to off
3) Under the dash on the left you'll see the RCM (Restraints control module), unplug the #17 fuse which is a 10 Amp fuse.
4) Turn the ignition on and watch the air bag indicator for at least 30 seconds. You should get a solid light (no blinking and it shouldn't turn off). If it's not illuminated you pulled the wrong fuse...do not proceed until the correct fuse is pulled!
5) Turn ignition to off
6) VERY IMPORTANT-disconnect the negative terminal from the battery and wait a MINIMUM OF 60 SECONDS. (This will deplete the back up power supply of the air bag)
7) After waiting the 60 seconds you can now remove and disconnect the air bag. (2 7mm screws hold the air bag to the wheel.)
8) Remove the horn assembly and then the old wire harness. (When re-installing the horn be sure you don't kink the rubber isolators or else it might squeak)

To reinstall
1) Install wire harness, switch, horn, and air bag
2) Turn ignition switch from off to on
3) Re-install the 10 Amp fuse
4) (Make sure no one is sitting in front of the air bag at this stage) Connect the battery cable.
5) Turn ignition sw from On to Off and wait 10 seconds, then turn it back to On. The air bag light should light for 6 seconds then turn Off. You're all set at this point, start the radio and see if it works.
Cheers

I just pulled my air bag module off to read the part number and there is no Ford part number on it. I think there is only a supplier part number on it, it is C-898-0166-00. I think if you go to the dealership and tell them that you need the harness for the audio controls then they should be able to get the right one for you. The harness you have today only has 2 connectors and two grounds, the one you want has 3 connectors and two grounds. (For reference my old 2 connector harness was part number C-821-0166-00)


First let me reiterate that the switch will illuminate but it won't control the radio. The stock radio XLT is not configured to "look" for the steering wheel switch, thus the only thing you can do is to install a new wire harness and new switch to get the illumination effect. If you want to put the switch in without the illumination effect then you can simply take a small flat head screw driver and carefully pry out the delete plate and then swap in a new switch. (You can use switch part number 7L1T-9E740-AA)

To put in a wire harness means that you have to take the air bag module out. I really wouldn't recommend that to a do it yourselfer.

Let me know if I can help with any other questions.

Glad I could help. The old harness only goes to the horn and the cruise switch, so the old harness will NOT light up your radio switch. The new harness connects both switches together. (They share the same illumination circuits through the clock spring)

I hope that helps. Good luck at the other dealership.

 

[hani64dubai]

Hi man,


I have 2007 XLT 4.0 and interested to add audio control but can you advise me where to get the Harness and what part number is it

 

[rgbarbato]

hi all,

first post! ive been looking around here for quite some time and love the site, great resource for explorer owners!

I hate to bring back a really old post, but with the help of this info I did the install of the steering wheel controls and all is well, switch lights up and all that good stuff. (Pics attached) however, as the above info says the switch does not function. so... I took the truck to the dealer to have them program it to work, and they claim they don't know what I'm talking about and have never done such a thing and that it "can't be done". So I took it to ANOTHER Ford dealer and they claim the same thing...

Has anyone had any luck with the dealer successfully programming their switch to work? I currently have the base radio with satellite in my XLT. I was blown away to see that these so-called experts have no idea what I am talking about... Doesn't seem like it should be a very uncommon practice to re-program a radio!

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[tojan19]

Can't help but awesome job! If you get it figured out, please post about it. I really want to do this to mine.

 

[Box]

Hi all... I know this thread has been dead for a while, but it comes up at the top of a google search so I thought I'd throw in my method for adding steering wheel controls here rather than start a new thread.

After doing some research I found that you cannot simply go buy the steering wheel harness that connects the clockspring to the left and right steering wheel switches; it is only serviced with the steering wheel. I came up with a method that will allow you to build your own harness on top of what is already there. This is pretty cheap as you only need to buy 2 things: the switch and a Ford pigtail kit.


*Note this was all performed on a 2007 Sport Trac. Your wiring could be different. I cannot be responsible for any damage you cause to your car!!! Be careful when working around airbags. They can injure you. Get someone with experience to help if you don't know what you're doing!!*

Items needed:

1) RH steering wheel switch: I chose to use part number 6L2Z-9C888-GAA (SW-6292 motorcraft). This switch also includes the temp + and - function. I don't actually have EATC but figured I might come up with something else to use that switch for in the future. I also have the part number for the switch without the temp control but forgot it at work so if anyone needs it let me know.

2) Wiring pigtail part number 3U2Z-14S411-DAAA (motorcraft WPT-699) this is the connector C2208 that plugs into the RH steering wheel switch.

3) Soldering iron, solder, electrical tape, tools, etc...


This job does not take long. I started by removing the airbag. There is no real need to unplug any connectors from the airbag, just lay it on top of the steering wheel. To be safe disconnect the battery and be sure the airbag is disabled and so on. Once the airbag is out of the way, unplug the steering wheel harness from the clockspring, remove the screw on the grounding terminal, unplug the horn connector and the cruise switch. Remove the harness from the steering wheel.

The awesome thing about the WPT-699 wiring pigtail is that it has all eight wires installed and they just so happen to be the same terminals used in the clockspring connector! You only need four of them at the RH switch: the power and ground for the lighting and the two audio control wires. So we remove the four un-needed wires by removing the red locking tab and releasing the pins (I use an xacto knife to release the tabs.)

Wire removed:

The removed wires are added to the clockspring connector by removing the red locking tab on the connector and inserting the terminals. In my case I removed pins 2,3,4,and 8 from the pigtail and installed 2 of them into positions 10 and 11 (audio controls) of the clockspring connector:

Next I spliced pins 1 and 6 from the pigtail (lighting ground and power) into the existing harness:

The two wires added at position 10 and 11 on the clockspring connector will then need to be joined to the other 2 wires left on the pigtail for the audio controls (pins 5 and 7):

Tape everything back up into a complete harness:

And install back into the steering wheel:

And you are finished:

My aftermarket audio unit comes in next week, so once I install that I will report back on whether the controls all program properly. I haven't bothered checking to see if the audio control wiring is all in place from the backside of the clockspring to the radio. From what I understand it is all there already, but if not then these instructions are to be continued.

C2208 (RH control plug being added with the pigtail kit):

C218B (clockspring connector):

Hope this helps someone out there. Sorry for the long post.