SWI-X Install??

[jarchie]

Ok, here goes, I have been trying to get someone to answer some questions about this SWI-X thing that lets you use the steering wheel controls with your after market radio.. I did some research to see if it works with my Kenwood and it does. The problem I am having is no one can tell me where they put the unit or post pictures of the install. Any of you guys out there have the pictures for the "how to" on this??:confused:

[rvaldez1]

The unit is very small and light, theoretically you can simply allow it to hang behind the radio. When using a single din radio there will be about 4" of space behind the pocket of the dash kit on top of the radio, just use some velcro that way it wont fly around.

[BAD MERC]

The SWI-X is a universal piece that uses an infrared repeater. The unit gets hooked up red to switched power, black to ground and the white wire goes to the steering wheel control wire on the radio harness (tape up or remove the other wires but DO NOT remove ot cut the looped wires). The wire from the wheel is a lt.blue/red on the OEM radio harness. There are TWO, use the smaller one. Route the repeater LED to the front of the console behind the cup holders and to the extreme driver side of the console and drill a 1/8" hole there and press it in from the rear. Make sure it has a direct line-of-sight to the receiver. Mine is installed exactly like that. Depending on your Kenwood receiver - they make interfaces that work by plugging directly into the back of the radio instead of having a hole drilled. The hardest part is programming it, have a professional do it if you have any questions.

[magindat]

Kenny is right. Although I put my led in the trim above the radio. It's a little less reliable when in the bright direct sun, but I was too lazy to run to the console.
The unit has enough wire to hang behind the center guages. I zip tied mine back there, so if I ever wanted to change the programming I could reach it from the side by the driver's pedal.

The hard part of programming is that you need an infrared remote for your unit. The intructions are clear and straight forward. The one trick is that the instructions say that programming each button takes 2 seconds. That means the channel stays open for 2 seconds. Just press the teaching remote the normal 1/2 second interval. If you hold the programming remote button down for the whole 2 secs, the SWIX will learn multiple instances of that button.

The SWIX simply translates the electrical signal from the steering wheel to an infrared signal like from the unit's own remote control.

So, it's a little tricky, but just work with it and you'll be fine. There's no pics of the install. No one would ever take one. Just use your common sense, protect all wiring and read the good advice (esp from silver2004).