Car Stereos: Ford Volume control on steering, sony head units, australia pty ltd

Question
Hi Brian,
I have 2001 Ford Fairmont and want to change the CD stacker to any modern mp3 or dvd player. Just wondering If I would be able to use the scan and volume +/- buttons on steering for the new system. I don't want to compromise this additional feature.
Kind regards,
Tauseeq

Answer
Hi,

You won't find an after-market head unit that will work directly with the steering wheel controls in your Fairmont, but chances are you can keep this feature using an adapter module.

Unfortunately, I can't tell you much about which adapter to buy, or where to find it, in Australia.  In the US, the most popular adapters are made by Pacific Accessory Corporation or Peripheral Electronics (the two companies have recently merged).  PAC accessories appear to be marketed in Australia through Stinger Australia Pty Ltd.  Here's a web site:

http://www.stingeraustralia.com.au/html/about_us.html

They can probably give you more information about whether a steering wheel control adapter is available for your Fairmont.  

In general, there are two types of adapters:  universal and direct-connect.  A universal adapter works with most after-market head units that include a wireless remote.  The adapter can learn the infrared signal from the remote, and can be programmed to emit the same signal when the appropriate steering wheel control button is pressed.  A universal adapter will include an infrared emitter, which must be mounted in an area that has a line of sight to the head unit's faceplate.  I've commonly mounted the emitter in the center console area near the armrest, or in an overhead console.

A direct-connect adapter is meant to work with the wired remote input, found on the back of many after-market head units.  Each manufacturer has its own wired remote protocol and connection type, so the adapter is somewhat brand-specific:  PAC's SWI-PS adapter, for example, is meant to be used with Pioneer or Sony head units.  A direct-connect adapter is usually more reliable than the universal type, and it's easier to install because you don't have to wire and mount the emitter.  Either type of adapter will require a power and ground connection, as well as a connection to the steering wheel control wire; this is usually found either in the factory radio plug, or under the steering column.  

Hope this helps!

Brian