I am thinking of replacing original cd player with a mp3 player, is there any way of retaining and still using the steering wheel controls.
no pretty much not. do a search for more info. topic covered heaps.
yes there are devices out there for most brands of cd players as i was woundering the same thing when i was doin research for the same reason its some kind of device that changes the signal to infer red and allows it to work but they are around 250 or 300 dollars plus installation
For that kind of money maybe I'll just stick with what's already there
As Mr_Calais says, there are things out there that will let you. Do your research before you buy to make sure that it will let you have that option. It will cost about that much though, although michaelw, one of the members on here was going to try and get something going. Would likely be much cheaper. Will have to see how hes going with it.
www.pac-audio.com in the US.
a cat-09 will enable your aftermarket headunit to work with your steering wheel controls. it costs about 150. What head unit are you using. alpine pioneer clarion jvc sony kenwood can work
Haven't thought about that part yet, was going to have a look if I could still retain steering wheel buttons