PAC SWI-PS Steering wheel control interface for Pioneer, Jensen, and Sony

I have OCD, and if there are steering wheel controls I'm going to want to use them. So I bought the SWI-PS and it works great. I have 8 controls on my steering wheel in my 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP and I can use all of them. Rarely I push a button and nothing happens, but I think this is from wear on my buttons, they're really worn. Overall this is the product I needed and it's very simple to install. I recommend this to anyone that wants to use their steering wheel controls with an aftermarket head unit.

I have been working on my own electronics gear for years. I am way beyond the novice level and if it payed well, I could do this for a living.
I would not recommend this product for use in a newer chevrolet. The tech rep from the company told me when we were trouble shooting that they have had issues with this unit in the chevys.
With the advice he gave me we got the unit to work briefly. He decided, after a few more frustrating trys, that the unit itself was defective.
Fortunately, Amazon has excellent customer service and they issued my request for a replacement immediately.
I have zero confidence in the new unit and expect the same frustrating experience when I receive the replacement. So, unless you just like challenges and chasing down tech support on the phone, just avoid this product.
UPDATE: I got the new unit and spent another frustrating day with tech support. I tried using a relay to switch the unit on and rewired to a different source and ground... still does not work! The tech-rep now thinks it is the brand of aftermarket wire-harness I used, since it is not a PAC brand. Yea, RIGHT!!!

Installed this in 2009 Honda Accord V6 with Pioneer Avic F90-BT. It works, most of the time. Install was easy. I had trouble with the source button not being recognized but the folks are PAC responded lighting fast(within hours) and told me to put a drain resistor and the button worked. They acknowledged that the unit can be picky but if I buy the newest version it would be better. I have tried the black version 1, the blue version 1 and the blue version 2. True they have gotten better, but it's still not 100%.

I find that if I program it when the car is running and the headlights and AC are on full it makes the voltage sag enough that this works 95% of the time. If I program it with the car running it doesn't like to work when the engine is off and the battery is cold. If I program it when the engine is off, it can be finicky when the car is running.

Being a former MECP master installer and currently a EE for a living I know the premise behind this, but it can be frustrating when you are making a pair of IDQ 10s pound and realize that you have attracted some unwanted attention, of the reg and blue lighted variety, only to have your mute button not work because the voltage sagged a bit too far on that bass note lol.

The ONLY reason this gets 4 stars is because PAC has fantastic customer service, even though the product leaves a bit to be desired.

Brought this into my local shop to have installed with my new Pioneer AVIC-Z110BT. Works perfectly and utilizes the 4 steering wheel control buttons on my 03 Ford Expedition - Vol+, Vol-, Source, and Memory.

The Source button toggles through all the available audio/video sources that are active.

The Memory button works only in the AM/FM radio mode and toggles through my programmed stations. I don't have Sirius or XM so I haven't tested that, but I'm assuming it works in that mode, too. I don't have any CD's so I haven't tested to see if it advances to the next track. It does nothing in ipod mode.

I have read other reviews stating that there was some lag between the time they press the button and the radio responding, but I did not experience any delay whatsoever. For my particular set up, this product has met my expectations.

The install is not for the technically inexperienced. Download the specific instructions from the website and combine those with the written material that comes with the unit. Once installed and programmed it works great.

Installed Prouduct in 10 minutes. Instructions easy to understand and very helpfull. Device worked as expected and more!!
100% Reliable

Pac-Audio originally said that this would not work with the Pioneer AVH-P4000DVD but their latest version removed this headunit from the non-compatible list. It works. This should actually work with anything that has a remote input in the back that looks like a 3.5mm headphone jack.

I installed this on a 2008 Subaru STI with no problems except that PAC-Audio's instructions for the STI are actually wrong. The correct instructions you should follow are for the 2008+ Impreza/WRX, NOT the STI instructions.

Here is where you can find vehicle specific installation guides (click on Technical Docs):
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It enables factory steering wheel buttons to be used with the aftermarket stereo. It works well.. there is a definite delay between when the switch is pressed and when you see the response from the head unit. Ater 1 year of use, one of the steering wheel switch do not have any response.. not sure if it is PAC unit's complaint..

I purchased this along with a new head unit for my car. Upon installation it worked intermittently for a short time, say a day or two, but then suddenly stopped responding to button pushes.

I contacted tech support and they walked through some troubleshooting but ultimately decided that I had a defective unit and we set up a replacement.

Upon receiving and installing the replacement the exact same thing happened- the device would work intermittently for a day or two before completely failing to respond.

I've installed just about every piece of car audio equipment I've ever owned, so I'm not a novice but I took it to a local installation, just in case the problem was me.

Want to know something funny? They refused to install it. They claimed they have had nothing but problems with the device and have completely stopped installing them as a result.

This is essentially a ~$45 paperweight, and an ugly one at that. I highly recommend against purchasing it.

very easy to install and it really works, i have a 2007 mazda 6 with radio controls on the stearing wheel and a pionner deh-p6000ub installed. i recomend you to buy this product.

I bought this unit to bridge my Pioneer AVIC-F700BT to the factory steering wheel controls in my 2008 Mazda MX-5 Sport. I will say that the unit shown in the pictures is old, I received the newest unit which is blue in color and adds new phone control (if your car's steering wheel controls support it) for Pioneer Bluetooth head units like mine. Here are my experiences installing and using this product:

- The unit works as advertised. There is a very slight delay between when you push a steering wheel button and when the head unit registers the push and acts upon it. Unlike what some others have said, you do not really need to "hold down" the buttons for a brief period on mine. All I need to do is tap the button and a half second later the command registers. If you hold the button (as in the volume or seek) it will dramatically scan or change volume. My head unit has an audible "beep" noise when it registers a key press and that helps you gauge how many times it "saw" you push the button.

- Installation is very complex if you make it hard on yourself. The included instructions are universal and try to cover every base possible... which makes for some very large fold out instructions that can be hard to follow. My advice, and the advice of Pac Audio (the makers) is to go to their website and search out your vehicle specific instructions and print them. It is much, much easier to install with tailored instructions.

- As to the installation, mine was not as smooth as I thought. This happened due to a typographical error in the instructions. Anyone else who has a 06-08 Mazda MX5 and is reading this review please take note... in the instructions it lists splicing connection 10 to ground as optional. It is not. You MUST splice connection 10 to ground for your steering wheel controls to transmit properly. I didn't do this the first time through and had to go online and do some searching before I found a message board discussing this very issue. Going back in and fixing it was easy, but had I known ahead of time it would have been easier.

- My personal advice is to wire the unit somewhere under your dash board where you can hold it in your hand when programming it but that also allows your head unit to be completely installed and working. I had mine loose so I could program it easily then I attached it under my dash with a piece of 3M double sided mounting tape so if I ever need to access it again it is easily within reach and I don't need to yank my dash apart again to get to it.

In summation, while the unit may not operate with the near instant speed of the factory head unit, it is more than adequate and intuitive. Do yourself a favor and do some research online before buying to see if there are any installation quirks for your particular model before pulling your dash apart. A few minutes of internet sleuthing will pay off when it comes to the install. I learned the "hard way" but I don't really hold that against this item. When you install it right and program it right, it works like a charm.

This thing works like a charm and has no lag time. It is very easy to program, don't be skeptical about the other reviews on this it works great you just have to get the instructions for your car from the manufacturer website. Wiring is a little tricky, but w/ the instructions it's much easier. Would definitely recommend it.

The steering wheel control works perfectly well with my pioneer avh-p3100 dvd. all my buttons on my steering controls are working and each specific button works how it should as how it was programmed. I was really scared of losing my controls on my steering wheel and ending up with buttons on my steering without any purpose but this thing made it happen. and also a very good idea because it actually helps in controlling my radio while i'm driving due to the radios small buttons eventhough its touch screen the controls on your steering wheel helps a lot in controlling the radio without lookin at it.

Small and easy to install. You can check out the install directions for your vehicle at http://www.pac-audio.com/swixprogramming/swixprogramming.asp before purchase.

Works great. Very customizable. Installed in 2002 Dodge Durango as per the included instructions and it has worked flawlessly.

I almost didn't buy this after reading all the poor reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. As it turns out, this device actually works, and so far seems to work very well.

Installation was not the nightmare I was imagining, and in fact was what I would expect from something like this. Each vehicle model has a different procedure, and I would advise reviewing the installation instructions on PAC's website before buying this. Some installations require resistors, while others are much simpler. My specific vehicle required the connection of three wires, two of which were power and ground. I used tap-in connectors for all three and had no problems.

The programming process is not as difficult as some reviewers would make it out to be. As has been stated, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO PROGRAM THE DEVICE. Programming involves pressing a button on the side of the device in a certain sequence and then pressing corresponding buttons on your steering wheel. The instructions literally tell you when to press and let go of each button, and how long to hold the buttons before letting go. If you make a mistake, fixing it is as easy as turning your vehicle's key to the off position and starting over. The entire programming process, when done correctly, takes less than 30 seconds.

From a functional standpoint, I'm very happy with this device. It recognizes all of my button presses as fast as my factory radio. My new headunit beeps when I press any button, so it's very easy to tell how quickly it recognizes input. So far, I've seen a quick response on every press, regardless of button. I'll be happy to update this review if I start to see different behavior, but so far, so good.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with the product. Installation was what I expected and it works just like it should.

I was previously using a wireless remotes to control my IPOD in both my vehicles (Pioneer DEHP4100& Sony CDXGT610ui). Wireless remotes are AWESOME! Then I self installed entire new system in my 01 Maxima SE beginng w/ the AVIC-F700BT head unit. I needed a way to control the AVIC-F700BT so I scoured the net looking for a wireless remote. This SWI-PS steering control interface was all I could find. Hard to beleive Pioneer does not include or have a compatible wireless remote for the AVIC-F Series. I have to say - install of this interface was THE BIGGEST pain the a**. It got done but not without hassle and I'm an experienced installer. The instructions for my application actually state: "'put' wires to white interface wire". What does "put" mean? I called PAC and the tech clarified that "put" means to: strip the vehicle steering control wires, splice to the incl resistors and splice that to the white wire on the interface - essentially "however" way you see fit. Then, do it again for the other 4 wires. Try doing that inside your vehicle's dash. This unit is not for the un-mechanically savvy. Either way it works so-so. The new AVIC-F700 is touchscreen so I've been tapping the screen. Final verdict: if you can find a wireless remote OPT FOR THAT INSTEAD. The PAC SWI-PS was supposed to keep my eyes on the road but it's intermittent operation has destracted me from that.

The product I received when I purchased this item looked very different from the picture of the item. The item I received required one wire hooked up and 2 resistors wrigged up to another connection. Once installed the real issue arose. In my case I mainly wanted to be able to do volume up and down from the steering wheel. I expected to be able to use all functions which is not the case. At first all volume, source, and seek buttons worked. After a week the sek buttons started glitching and after a day or two stopped all together. Now the only consistent working button is volume down, most of the time volume up works, but it still glitches intermitently. My seek down still works though seek up is completely responsive.

I installed this in a 2007 Nissan Altima with a Pioneer F90bt. This is not a product to be installed by a novice. The resistors are trickier than they have to be. Would have been great to have them labeled and even better if they were already wired into a connector for quicker install. The button response time is slow, and sometimes inconsistent. If you don't push long enough nothing happens. Push too long and the button gets carried away.

THis product was very easy to use. THe directions it came with were very difficult to understand; however, the online directions made it much easier. Great Product!

I would've been really disappointed if I lost my steering wheel audio controls because of the Pioneer unit I installed. Luckily I stumbled across this product, and although the button press registration is a bit slow, it always works. Fantastic!

Great product. Easy to install, easy to program, works perfectly. I installed this in my 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix with Sony CDX-GT510 stereo. It plugs into the wired remote port on the back of the stereo. I've heard the IR remote interfaces sometimes do not respond especially in sunlight. This one is wired so it doesn't have any problems. It always works.

I have an Acura CL TypeS, and I got this steering control when I got a Pioneer AVIC-D2. The unit wasn't too hard to setup, the manufacturer's website is pretty helpful. I did notice that it sometimes is pretty slow to process my steering wheel button presses. Rarely, it also completely ignores them, I have to let go of the button, pause, and press again.

Even with these little issues, I still like the unit, mostly because I can use my left hand to control the volume while my right hand is reaching for the phone, or whatever else.