Audio Head Units
11-19-2010, 08:53 PM
#11
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Re: Audio Head Units
What module are you talking about? I even had the Kenwood guys meet me at Kromer an no-one was able to offer any advice on the steering wheel controls. I tried a wiring harness from UK but it did nothing as I discovered it only worked with CAN-BUS to CAN-BUS systems. Can you point me in right direction?
11-19-2010, 09:07 PM
#12
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Re: Audio Head Units
I will find out answers for you tomorrow, but when we hooked up kenwood decks in other cars with steering wheel controls, they were still functional after the deck was installed.
I'm not a super pro when it comes to car audio, but i volunteer a lot of time helping my good friends at Sound Concepts (we specialize in Kenwood), and I will find out from them. They have been installing for almost 30 years, if they can't tell me, no one can!
I'm not a super pro when it comes to car audio, but i volunteer a lot of time helping my good friends at Sound Concepts (we specialize in Kenwood), and I will find out from them. They have been installing for almost 30 years, if they can't tell me, no one can!
11-20-2010, 11:17 AM
#13
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Re: Audio Head Units
OK.
Heres what I found out for ya.
You would need a PAC Steering Wheel Interface. More then likely you would also need a SWI-can2 Interface as well.
These interfaces (I said Module in my first post, it was Interface I meant) usually apply to certain types of vehicles, i do know it does several Audi's. WHen it comes to electronics in a vehicle, nothing is impossible however, sometimes it does invovle a lot of thinking.
But search PAC Steering Wheel Interface.. The one I had in my hand today said it did Kenwood, JVC, Pioneer and Alpine. The Kenwood guys you were talking to obviously need to do some more learning however, the interface is not a Kenwood product and they won't make money off it so why would they push that sale.
Hope this helps! Kenwood FTW!
Heres what I found out for ya.
You would need a PAC Steering Wheel Interface. More then likely you would also need a SWI-can2 Interface as well.
These interfaces (I said Module in my first post, it was Interface I meant) usually apply to certain types of vehicles, i do know it does several Audi's. WHen it comes to electronics in a vehicle, nothing is impossible however, sometimes it does invovle a lot of thinking.
But search PAC Steering Wheel Interface.. The one I had in my hand today said it did Kenwood, JVC, Pioneer and Alpine. The Kenwood guys you were talking to obviously need to do some more learning however, the interface is not a Kenwood product and they won't make money off it so why would they push that sale.
Hope this helps! Kenwood FTW!
Last edited by midrange; 11-20-2010 at 11:32 AM.
11-20-2010, 05:58 PM
#14
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Carrying Place
Posts: 26
Re: Audio Head Units
I just put an Alpine head in my 96 A4 the pre out for that is 12v but the stock is 3-4V the trouble is finding a suitable grnd for the amp so the new deck doesnt make that irritating popping sound!
11-27-2010, 12:01 PM
#15
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Re: Audio Head Units
Well, I've asked Kenwood in Mississauga to look into the steering wheel control situation, and they say they don't know how to do it. To me, if a signal is being generated by steering wheel, then all you need to do is "translate" signal so that head unit (DNX7160) understands. I'm not an electrical expert but it would not seem an impossible task, yet Kromer and Kenwood have both now told me that they don't know how to do it or have said it can't be done. Can any of you experts out there figure this out?
11-27-2010, 06:39 PM
#16
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Re: Audio Head Units
Midrange answered this already, just because Kenwood doesn't know doesn't mean it is not possible. If you follow the information given by Midrange you would search on Google and come up with site and when you searched for the model of car you own it would also tell you that you need the CAN interface.... Steering Wheel Interface Application Guide and Instructions | iPod Integration for your car and More by Pac-Audio - Connecting you to the future
11-27-2010, 10:30 PM
#17
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Re: Audio Head Units
Thanks for the notes. Unfortunately for me, I can search the internet as well as anyone and I can read very well and have 6 professional/post secondary degrees and teach at U of T AND have a 2000 A8 with K-BUS which is not supported by any of these systems. All new stereos are apparently CAN-BUS. If you would examine the referenced website and search for cars, you'd notice that there is NOTHING for a 2000 A8. The SWI-JACK has been tried previously by Kromer. Didn't work. I have tried Connect2 wiring harnesses from UK which they SAY is made for 2000A8 AND the Kenwood patch, yet neither Kenwood nor Kromer staff can make any of these systems work in my car. I too think that it shouldn't be impossible, yet I can't find anything on the internet nor locally in Toronto that works nor anyone who can make it work. If anyone has real, personal knowledge and experience of something that works - for a 2000 A8, and not just a link to somewhere I've already been to no avail, I'll listen, and buy lunch if the damn thing works! Or find me an audio genius who can make it work and I'll buy both of you lunch!
11-27-2010, 11:37 PM
#18
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Re: Audio Head Units
I feel I have explained as much as anyone can on here. Perhaps the A8 is not a consideration in north america for electronic engineers to take the time and make an interface for your vehicle.
Not to be rude, but for someone with such a high level of education, sure does ask a lot of questions. You did learn how to do research in all those years of study correct? Because thats how I found the quick tip of information I found for you, to which I would have expected you to investigate further. Theres no guarantee it can work and I was just trying to get more info than you seemed to have already. I highly doubt its never been done before and I'm sure there are many people out there that know how to make your steering wheel controls work with an after market radio.
Either way, I have 2 easy ways to make you have steering wheel controls again. First one is very simple, install the factory radio back in and be done with.
Second one is also very simple, and i believe that with your 6 professional/post secondary degrees, you will be able to figure out this equation.
PLUS (+)
PLUS (+)
Equals (=)
Steering wheel control for your aftermarket radio.
Not to be rude, but for someone with such a high level of education, sure does ask a lot of questions. You did learn how to do research in all those years of study correct? Because thats how I found the quick tip of information I found for you, to which I would have expected you to investigate further. Theres no guarantee it can work and I was just trying to get more info than you seemed to have already. I highly doubt its never been done before and I'm sure there are many people out there that know how to make your steering wheel controls work with an after market radio.
Either way, I have 2 easy ways to make you have steering wheel controls again. First one is very simple, install the factory radio back in and be done with.
Second one is also very simple, and i believe that with your 6 professional/post secondary degrees, you will be able to figure out this equation.
PLUS (+)
PLUS (+)
Equals (=)
Steering wheel control for your aftermarket radio.
11-28-2010, 11:39 AM
#19
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 161
Re: Audio Head Units
Hey Midrange! You think you're joking with your remote/duct tape solution? Don't think that I already didn't consider that!! Really I did! 
Except I was thinking more like velcro fastened somewhere. 
I actually tried keeping the remote in the driver's door bin, but that's kind of a convoluted approach to the situation as well.
I did in fact do my research many months ago, in June 2010. DNX was installed early July 2010. I had already found the sites you referred me to and discussed issue with Kromer and, after consultation with Kenwood, we had ordered the SWI-JACK to try, at installation in early July. It didn't work. Kromer actually gave up then. It was then up to me alone and Kenwood to try and figure something out. My background, although extensive, is not in automotive nor electrical, so I was relying heavily on the so called industry experts. Kromer simply stated that my old beast has K-BUS system of signalling and all newer stereos use CAN-BUS. Kromer have no knowledge of how to make those 2 systems talk to each other. Neither does Kenwood, who only last week tried contacting their own internal engineering experts and then came back to me with a "can't be done" answer. I was in the UK 3 weeks ago and went the the largest automotive stereo/alarm shop in the entire UK. Nice place. Big and busy. I spoke with their installation experts and then their in-house wiring expert. They assured me that the wiring harnesses they sold me, made by Connects2 in the UK would work on my 2000 A8. The description of the part from the manufacturer clearly states that it is made for 2000 A8, in fact they state that it will work on 1999-2002 A8s. Guess what? Kromer couldn't get it to work. So imagine now, it's been a 5 month journey of frustration. Who should I believe? Connects2 in UK? Kromer? Kenwood? If it were stereo funtion only that I had upgraded, yes, I probably would switch back to Audi Symphony, but the DNX included a new Garmin navigation system and my Bluetooth handsfree telephone interface.
My offer still stands. Anyone who can get this working will be treated to a VERY nice lunch, in additon to costs/shop fee. No duct tape or velcro solutions please.
Except I was thinking more like velcro fastened somewhere. I actually tried keeping the remote in the driver's door bin, but that's kind of a convoluted approach to the situation as well.I did in fact do my research many months ago, in June 2010. DNX was installed early July 2010. I had already found the sites you referred me to and discussed issue with Kromer and, after consultation with Kenwood, we had ordered the SWI-JACK to try, at installation in early July. It didn't work. Kromer actually gave up then. It was then up to me alone and Kenwood to try and figure something out. My background, although extensive, is not in automotive nor electrical, so I was relying heavily on the so called industry experts. Kromer simply stated that my old beast has K-BUS system of signalling and all newer stereos use CAN-BUS. Kromer have no knowledge of how to make those 2 systems talk to each other. Neither does Kenwood, who only last week tried contacting their own internal engineering experts and then came back to me with a "can't be done" answer. I was in the UK 3 weeks ago and went the the largest automotive stereo/alarm shop in the entire UK. Nice place. Big and busy. I spoke with their installation experts and then their in-house wiring expert. They assured me that the wiring harnesses they sold me, made by Connects2 in the UK would work on my 2000 A8. The description of the part from the manufacturer clearly states that it is made for 2000 A8, in fact they state that it will work on 1999-2002 A8s. Guess what? Kromer couldn't get it to work. So imagine now, it's been a 5 month journey of frustration. Who should I believe? Connects2 in UK? Kromer? Kenwood? If it were stereo funtion only that I had upgraded, yes, I probably would switch back to Audi Symphony, but the DNX included a new Garmin navigation system and my Bluetooth handsfree telephone interface.
My offer still stands. Anyone who can get this working will be treated to a VERY nice lunch, in additon to costs/shop fee. No duct tape or velcro solutions please.
Last edited by ok2000A8; 11-28-2010 at 11:42 AM.
11-28-2010, 12:11 PM
#20
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 180
Re: Audio Head Units
Hey Midrange! You think you're joking with your remote/duct tape solution? Don't think that I already didn't consider that!! Really I did! Except I was thinking more like velcro fastened somewhere. I actually tried keeping the remote in the driver's door bin, but that's kind of a convoluted approach to the situation as well.
Except I was thinking more like velcro fastened somewhere. I actually tried keeping the remote in the driver's door bin, but that's kind of a convoluted approach to the situation as well.I also don't know why its such a problem to just use the stereo buttons thats not even a full arm reach away.. Why are steering wheel controls so important to give yourself this type of headache. I know its a great feature when your car is bone stock, but when you choose to go aftermarket, your also taking the risk of losing functions.
This isn't a kenwood fail.. Any aftermarket deck would give you this trouble.. Its not the aftermarket stereo thats the problem, its the fact there is not enough demand for your particular car (A
for the company (PAC) to design an interface for your vehicle. I took the time to actually check your particular Audi to see if PAC made anything, and they don't make anything for the A8. Look at it from a business point of view, they won't invest 1000's of dollars to make this interface to sell 2 a year at 50-100 bucks each.. Its not in their profit margin to even consider it. No demand. No shortage for North American cars. I would bet you go to Germany, and anyone driving a chevy would have a hard time like your having compaired to an Audi owner.I just can't see anyone who has the answer your looking for to just tell you. If they know how, they want to get paid for their time and knowledge, which in this case where it would take some serous wiring thinking, they could probably get a full days pay, and not just a lunch.
