Hey all,

I've been mulling this problem over for a few days, and I think that there has to be a way to do it. I searched and searched and everywhere I look says that the 4th Gen style CD Player will not work with the '88-'89 GTA Steering wheel controls. (The type radio I'm talking about is pictured below)



I'm assuming that this is just an error in plug-and-play communication. The 4th gens did come with steering wheel controls, so there has to be some sort of provision for this in the radio. Is it just a problem of signal conversion between the GTA controls and the 4th Gen Deck?

I would love to be able to attempt this conversion. I took enough EE as an undergrad to know that this is very, very likely possible with the right converter. Anybody have any info on what the actual outputs for the GTA vs the 4th gen steering wheel controls are?

Thoughts? Input?

-cal30sniper

 

I have the same radio in an 88 GTA. Can't wait for the answer on this one.

 

Does nobody know what the signals for an '88/'89 GTA or 4th Gen with steering wheel controls is?

 

All the signals travel down one wire, so there has to be some kind of resistor network in the wheel that changes the signal level for each button. I have a radio from 2002 truck Similar to 4th gen) in my 89 with the SCV input which I haven't got to work yet, steering wheel control input is on the same connector (the normally unused 6 pin one), but I forget which pin.

 

there is a company that makes interfaces for stock columns and aftermarket radios.id contact them and ask.

 

I know on Acura back in the 80's and 90's the signal was a 5 volt reference total through a resistor board to differentiate which buttons and did a conversion back then. GM probably used the same. I just havent had the time to look into it yet. Just FYI, I will see if I can find anything from a friend of mine that has an audio repair company.

 

There is, and its been discussed on these forums before with links to MFG's posted.

Can't find it right now, on my phone and I don't like typing long posts or searching much on its crappy connection.

 

They use the signal for the remote control on the aftermarket radio to interface with the factory steering wheel controls.

In the original post I stated that I was trying to interface a factory 4th gen deck with the steering wheel controls, not an aftermarket stereo. The aftermarket interface is easy, and has been done many times. As far as I can tell, no one has ever made it work with a factory deck other than the '88 GTA radio.

Gonna have to backshelf this for a while due to other stuff needing to be done, but I'm still kicking around the idea...

-cal30sniper

 

Steering wheels controls to Aftermarket decks:http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/steering_wheel_audio_control_adapters.html?nvpair=FFBrand|PAC

But as for controlling later model factory decks.....I dunno.