Keep steering wheel controls with aftermarket deck: 2004 Mazda 3

[skeletor]

So from what I've been reading, it's recommended to buy an infared adapted that you wire into your aftermarket deck. I'm curious to see if anybody has hardwired it. There's gotta be a way where you don't have to spend $100 on an infared transmitter!

What is the wiring like at the steering wheel controls? I know my aftermarket deck has three wires (lower 3 in this picture) to connect to for steering wheel controls, any way to do it directly?

http://i.imgur.com/nwKc8.jpg

[S.F.W.]

I would not say the IR adapter is the best choice. I had the hard wire adapter in my old sedan. Look up pac-audio, they make both hard wire and IR controls for a multitude of decks.

[DarkKilla]

usually the IR adapter has some sort of delay, where as the hard wire version is just like oem factory

[Reddie1337]

I spent $100 on a little computer that made mine work from one wire. cost a bit, but all the factory buttons work, and they work well. Almost no delay, other than what the deck normally has to the iPod.

[skeletor]

Yeah, I think the hardwire thing is the best bet. Guess I can't just hook it up directly eh?

Also, I checked pac-audio and could only find infared ones on the mazda page... (http://pac-audio.com/productSearch.aspx?Make=Mazda&MakeId=21&Model=3%20Series&ModelId=1332&Year=2004&YearId=15&CategoryId=29)

[S.F.W.]

you need this:http://pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=207&CategoryID=29

[Reddie1337]

I guess mine is special... None of the 4 Kenwood decks I have owned are listed on here :S

I guess the bigger question is, what type of deck do you have?

[S.F.W.]

I guess mine is special... None of the 4 Kenwood decks I have owned are listed on here :S

I guess the bigger question is, what type of deck do you have?
From reading his posts in other sections he has an Alpine deck.

[fullblack]

i have a question? I was planning on replacing the steering wheel in my 2010 mazda 3 GT is it possible to relocate the buttons else where?

[Reddie1337]

You probably could, but it seems like a lot of work to just have to hit the buttons on the radio instead. It's just 2 wires from the harness that control the buttons, (different amounts of resistance through them make it do different functions) So in theory it is entirely possible.