VY Steering wheel controls for Stereo

[RichardW]

Hi all,
I had a look through the forum and couldnt find the answer to my question, I am surprised that no one had not asked this before.

I have a VY and have installed a AMP and different speakers using the stock head unit with Hi-Lo Converters etc, job was done professionally and I have a whinging noise (from engine) coming through my speakers. I have tried all advice that people have given and it has not fixed the problem.

I have really got the sh*ts with it and have decided that I am going to replace the head unit with something that is good quality rather than the crap Holden have put in. Who puts in units that have no RCA outputs these days, come on.

My question, is there a way to still use the controls on the steering wheel, or if I change th head unit do I lose them?

[Tasmaniak]

NO ONE makes a head unit without RCAs these days. Besides, it's pretty simple to add RCAs to yours.

9/10 times you lose your steering wheel controls when you replace your HU, but there are some that have it as an optional extra. Perhaps someone else here could tell you what make and model they are. Although, I do not believe them to be cheap.

[bdcmedia]

There are NO head units that utilize these controls directly. What you have to do is buy and aftermarket device that basically takes the IR control from your new head unit and is connected to the wheel controls. So when you control your new head unit it is actually being controlled by the remote control via Infra Red.

[Spyder]

ive been told about one of those, didnt know they were ir tho.
ive been told $250 for one of those

[RichardW]

NO ONE makes a head unit without RCAs these days. Besides, it's pretty simple to add RCAs to yours.

9/10 times you lose your steering wheel controls when you replace your HU, but there are some that have it as an optional extra. Perhaps someone else here could tell you what make and model they are. Although, I do not believe them to be cheap.

So how do you add RCA outputs to it? The way that it has been done on mineis by using the speaker wires. This is what has caused the buzzing/whinging. If you have another way please let me know.

Thanks

Rich

[RichardW]

There are NO head units that utilize these controls directly. What you have to do is buy and aftermarket device that basically takes the IR control from your new head unit and is connected to the wheel controls. So when you control your new head unit it is actually being controlled by the remote control via Infra Red.

Thanks for the reply. That sounds what I am after. What are they called? Do you know of any manufactors? The more information the better.

Thanks

Rich

[boardyboy1979]

Thanks for the reply. That sounds what I am after. What are they called? Do you know of any manufactors? The more information the better.

Thanks

Rich

The Steering control to IR converters are made my Stinger Australia. Fairly sure they are brand (JVC) and model (VX)specific.

I'm still waiting for mine.

[RichardW]

Thanks will give them a go

[Johnny9]

I asked the same question to a guy a JB HI FI. He told me that Pioneer, JVC and Some Sony HU are compatable with the steering wheel buttons. You need to buy a module(as stated above) which is worth around $200.

Good luck!

[r0nniem]

Stinger sell a product called CAT. Works with Alpine, Clarion, JVC, Kenwood, Panasonic, Pioneer and Sony head units with Infra-red. Works in HOLDEN VT/VX, HOLDEN VS, HOLDEN VY, HOLDEN BARINA, HOLDEN ASTRA, VECTRA ... just a matter of adjusting a couple of Jumper pins on the board for audio brand and vehicle type.

[wheelz_27]

Saw these infared buttons you speak of at AUTOBAHN, bout 200.
Richard, I have done the same as you, used hi/lo converter to create RCA's and a 4 x 50 Response amp in the boot to 6x9'z and splits in the front doors. Still run rear doors off head deck - standard power, so 6 speakers, but really you cant notice rear doors on or off at high volumes. I ALSO had the whining noise you speak of, regardless of volume it was there. I took all precautions - wired power down opposite side to sound, same size earth to power, good quality earthing, good quality wires. It still came up.
So i stuffed around a bit, moved some wires... still there... then i put everything back how it was to begin with and... it disappeared. I have no idea why, so sorry I can't tell you my remedy, but i think the story is quite comical.
So who 'professionally' installed your gear ?
I think the blaupunkt head is pretty good, especially now i've incorporated an amp and better speakers. I've got satisfactory sound and i havent had to outlay for new head deck and new steering wheel controls to suit. I reckon you could sometimes mistake the 6x9'z for havin a sub theyre great amped up.
Each to their own, just my 2 cents
PS i reckon response gear is great value for money
Cheers
Wheelz

[RichardW]

Nice thanks I will check it out, bit pricey but will be worth it.

[RichardW]

Saw these infared buttons you speak of at AUTOBAHN, bout 200.
Richard, I have done the same as you, used hi/lo converter to create RCA's and a 4 x 50 Response amp in the boot to 6x9'z and splits in the front doors. Still run rear doors off head deck - standard power, so 6 speakers, but really you cant notice rear doors on or off at high volumes. I ALSO had the whining noise you speak of, regardless of volume it was there. I took all precautions - wired power down opposite side to sound, same size earth to power, good quality earthing, good quality wires. It still came up.
So i stuffed around a bit, moved some wires... still there... then i put everything back how it was to begin with and... it disappeared. I have no idea why, so sorry I can't tell you my remedy, but i think the story is quite comical.
So who 'professionally' installed your gear ?
I think the blaupunkt head is pretty good, especially now i've incorporated an amp and better speakers. I've got satisfactory sound and i havent had to outlay for new head deck and new steering wheel controls to suit. I reckon you could sometimes mistake the 6x9'z for havin a sub theyre great amped up.
Each to their own, just my 2 cents
PS i reckon response gear is great value for money
Cheers
Wheelz

Was installed by Tonys Pro Audio, guy in a van came out. He knew what he was doing. We played around for ages trying to get rid of it. It didnt seem to matter what we did the noise was still there.

The blaupunkt head unit is not bad, but as it is not using RCA's good quality will never be there. I am hoping once I install a new head unit (looking at the Pioneer DEH-P5750MP) that it will fix my problem and also the sound quality will be increased.

I agree that 6x9's are great and a sub is just about not needed. But I am thinking of putting one in anyway. Thanks for the wrap on the Response amp's. I was thinking of buying one to power the sub. I have Pioneer everywhere else and Focal front speakers (very nice) Cant beat Bang for buck and I dont want to spend the earth on a amp for the sub.

[brockyslovechild]

Not sure how much truth is in this, but was talking to a mate the other night, he has a VZ HSV Maloo ute, he tells me pioneer have made a h/u that will plug straight into wiring loom and incorporate paddle controls on steering wheels! He has one on order, I've asked him to get me model number, when I get it I'll let u all know!

KeV..........

[RichardW]

Not sure how much truth is in this, but was talking to a mate the other night, he has a VZ HSV Maloo ute, he tells me pioneer have made a h/u that will plug straight into wiring loom and incorporate paddle controls on steering wheels! He has one on order, I've asked him to get me model number, when I get it I'll let u all know!

KeV..........

Hey Kev,

Nice one. I have found out a bit more on this too. There is a company called Stinger that imports a converter. They have different ones that will fit, Pioneer, JVC, Alpine etc. Costs around $200, the Alpine ones connect up easy but for other you need to run it by infra red. Got in contact with a guy from Stinger and he said JB HiFi sell them. Called a "CAT 08"

Let me know how your mate goes thought, I am interested in that.

Rich

[macdaddy]

hey richard i too have that whigning noise coming through my speakers!

but i have a vr with a pioneer head unit. i have been told of another guy with the sae prob n he took his car into the car audio shop where he got it fitted and had no idea what it was. i am really stumped as to what it is! did u ever find out what caused it?

[Rowan]

I called up Gary's Car Radio and was quoted ~$135 on a CAT08, give them a call.

Edit: That was for my brothers car, personally I made an interface board for my carputer using a Phillips I2C bus AI chip. Each button creates a simple resistance difference, so by putting 5v though the +radio button wire, and connecting the negative to the interface board, you get say 2.5v for the 'Mode' button, 1.5v for Next and so on, each being different obviously. This in turn controls the volume on my computer and other various functions I programmed in (ie hold Mode and press Vol+ will raise the antenna using another I2C bus DO chip, obviously Mode and Vol- lowers it).

[RichardW]

I called up Gary's Car Radio and was quoted ~$135 on a CAT08, give them a call.

Edit: That was for my brothers car, personally I made an interface board for my carputer using a Phillips I2C bus AI chip. Each button creates a simple resistance difference, so by putting 5v though the +radio button wire, and connecting the negative to the interface board, you get say 2.5v for the 'Mode' button, 1.5v for Next and so on, each being different obviously. This in turn controls the volume on my computer and other various functions I programmed in (ie hold Mode and press Vol+ will raise the antenna using another I2C bus DO chip, obviously Mode and Vol- lowers it).

Hi Rowan,

Can you please let me know the phone number not having much luck finding it.

Edit: You sound like you know what you are doing with electronics, I am a novice would not know where to start. Maybe you should start making them and selling them to stores and under cut the big companies.

Thanks

Richard

[RichardW]

hey richard i too have that whigning noise coming through my speakers!

but i have a vr with a pioneer head unit. i have been told of another guy with the sae prob n he took his car into the car audio shop where he got it fitted and had no idea what it was. i am really stumped as to what it is! did u ever find out what caused it?

Hey macdaddy,

I think our problems are different. But, Check that your RCA and Power cable is not running close to each other. There is a part that you can buy that you put on the power cable and the idea is to stop engine noise being passed through the speakers.

It is called a Car noise filter. Jaycar have some at http://www.jaycar.com.au/productResults.asp?FORM=CAT never used one but have heard of people say they work

Also make sure that your power wire doesnt have too much wire. That can lead to it.

Hope this helps.

Richard

[Phreddy]

Don't know whether this will interest anyone, but I've recently modified a Blaupunkt six-stacker to give low level outputs on the rear channels. It involved adding a small "buffer" board inside the unit, and picking up the signals before they get to the internal power amps - nice and clean. The buffer prevents any external loading from affectintg the internal impedances in the unit, and protects against any shorts and so on. I run a 4x50RMS amp as two bridged pairs into 7x10s on the parcel shelf. Existing front door speakers replaced with Boss splits (I know, cheap crap) but all 4 door speakers are only running from internal amps anyway.

Signal to the external amp is crystal clean - plus I also designed into the buffer board some switching circuitry for the remote amp power control. There's not much room behind the cradle, so the RCA sockets are on short lengths of shielded cable. Pins are hard mounted into the cradle and an additional socket mounted in the HU - that way it still slides in and out the way it always has.

All up it's worked out well. I have two other guys want me to do the mod for them as well! I've still got the convenience of the wheel buttons, cost me bugger all really. Plus the signal is remarkably clean where I picked it up from, it sounds great.

Oh well, for what it's worth anyhow!

Cheerz.

[Tasmaniak]

I'd be interested to know how you went with signal levels as the pre-amp output is only line level (approx .7volts) and amplifiers like between 2-6 volts. If you could let me know, that would be great!

[RichardW]

Don't know whether this will interest anyone, but I've recently modified a Blaupunkt six-stacker to give low level outputs on the rear channels. It involved adding a small "buffer" board inside the unit, and picking up the signals before they get to the internal power amps - nice and clean. The buffer prevents any external loading from affectintg the internal impedances in the unit, and protects against any shorts and so on. I run a 4x50RMS amp as two bridged pairs into 7x10s on the parcel shelf. Existing front door speakers replaced with Boss splits (I know, cheap crap) but all 4 door speakers are only running from internal amps anyway.

Signal to the external amp is crystal clean - plus I also designed into the buffer board some switching circuitry for the remote amp power control. There's not much room behind the cradle, so the RCA sockets are on short lengths of shielded cable. Pins are hard mounted into the cradle and an additional socket mounted in the HU - that way it still slides in and out the way it always has.

All up it's worked out well. I have two other guys want me to do the mod for them as well! I've still got the convenience of the wheel buttons, cost me bugger all really. Plus the signal is remarkably clean where I picked it up from, it sounds great.

Oh well, for what it's worth anyhow!

Cheerz.

Wish you sent that a few days ago. I just went out and brought a new head unit.

What would you charge to do it?

[Phreddy]

Sorry about that Mate!

Only got it all up and running about a week ago. Didn't want to spout off too much until I was sure it worked!

Let's see - how much would depend on whether you want 2 channels (like mine - only the rears) or all four. As I mentioned there is some modding required for the cradle, would you want this done as well? Kinda depends on where you are too I suppose...

Anyhow, PM me if you want to talk some more.

Cheerz!

[RichardW]

I'd be interested to know how you went with signal levels as the pre-amp output is only line level (approx .7volts) and amplifiers like between 2-6 volts. If you could let me know, that would be great!

Hey 12Volt King,

I installed my CAT8 and can confirm that both the head unit and steering controls are working fine. The whinging noise has gone too!!!!!! Yay, must say that the sound quality is a 1000% better than the stock unit. Very very happy with my new system. Blaupunt is a quality name but the unit in the VY is nothing but absolute crap. It was causing all my problems as soon as I removed it and put in a DEH75750 Pioneer, I had perfect sound and no more problems.

[wafi]

Hi RichardW ,

does cat08 solve your problem or u use it with the new H/U to don't loss steering controls?

any pic for your new h/u ?