Aftermarket Stereo: Keeping Stock Volume / Seek Controls

[shoon]

As most of us with SHO's know, once you put an aftermarket deck in you will lose the functionality of the volume and seek controls to the right of the instrument cluster on the dash.

However... I have a solution for those who are somewhat technical! (you will need to know how to solder.)

It's a fair bit of work but if the buttons mean that much to you...


If your deck comes with a wireless remote control, you can disassemble the remote and hardwire the seek / volume controls to the board by soldering the terminals onto the remote. Then hide the remote assembly inside the dash wrapped with some foam so it doesn't rattle. (similar to the way remote starters are installed on newer cars with VATS)

Next step is to find a way to semi-permanently mount the remote in a place where it will point towards the deck.

My thoughts for now are to extend the leads on the IR LED (the clear thing on the end of the remote that sends the signal), and jam it somewhere that won't have any objects or passengers block the signal. possibly in the center console somewhere (arm might block it, but if your arm is lifted to use the buttons in the first place it shouldn't be a problem

So ideally the functionality of the buttons will still exist, and the only thing that might require permanent modification is when you mount the IR LED somewhere. One major downside is the remote controls take batteries.. so you might have to replace it every couple years OR if you are REALLY good with electronic stuff you can make a power supply that drops the 12-14v power from the cars electrical system to 3v to power the remote !

Full writeup with pictures to follow, but for now here is my awesome picture I made with paint


Edit: The wireless remote for the deck will no longer be wireless, so that caption is not so accurate.

 

[gurucomputers]

That is a great Idea. I hate having non-functioning buttons. I am going to have to try this. How about mounting the IR LED in the in a very small angled box in the head liner that matches the interior. Maybe alter the design so the SEEK button is the FWD button on the remote for CD's.

Here is your 3V power supply:

R1 = 200 Ohms
R2 = 280 Ohms

This gives a 3vdc output with a 12vdc input.

The LM317 can be found at your local Radio Shack.

 

[NoSlo]

You could also go crazy and just buy a Steering Wheel Audio Control Adapters. This is a device you splice into the remote switch, teach it your remote codes, and it transmits the IR codes to your aftermarket stereo when you use the remote radio controls.