Audio sound system controlled from steering wheel.

[DuncanS]

On another topic a couple of days ago where I was musing about steering wheels,

[a2wolfsburggli]

Awesome...thanks for looking into this. My thoughts were very similar. I was curious if one could use the clockspring as just a conduit for the electrical signals by soldering into the wiring.

In retrospect, it does seem like far more work than reward.

Here is another option I thought about and discovered while surfing craigslist and then driving 400+ miles in the last 2 days in the Westy.

I ran into a Kenwood unit that was controllable with an android app. I currently use a magnetic cell phone holder on the dash of the Westy. (The phone case has a metal piece in it.)

Why not just embed some rare earth magnets into the underside of the horn cover and use the phone as the wireless remote? Only downside is no charging while driving. Even with where I have my phone mounted on the side of the gauge cluster, it's easier reach than the stereo in the dash.

Embed a couple more in various spots in the cabinetry or even the backside of the exterior panels and you can magnetically mount the phone anywhere inside or out for easy access (if you don't want to keep it in your pocket or want to use a retired cell phone or tablet.)
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[IdahoDoug]

Sounds like a lot of work to avoid leaning 8 degrees to the right and placing your right hand on the radio!

I suggest you use the wireless remote that comes with most stereos today, but this time dont affix it to the steering wheels center where its signal is blocked by the metal in the steering wheel hub. Make a little bracket and mount it offset toward the radio. Make it detachable (velcro?) so you can use the remote from the back of the van, making it more functional than steering wheel controls.
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[djkeev]

Without doing a steering wheel/column transplant, I don't see a solution.

I have radio controls on my Wife's car, it sits completely unused. The radio is so close by that have wheel controls is simply silly to me. A gadget you don't need.

But I'm old..........

Dave
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Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[jimf909]

[danfromsyr]

since I listen to radio and not tunes or an app.
I use the steering wheel radio controls in our SUV constantly

but I wouldn't pt any more effort in adding it to my van than one of the clamp/stick on Blue tooth controllers.

https://www.google.com/search?q=bluetooth+steering...p;ie=UTF-8
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[kamzcab86]

[DuncanS]

This was all good stuff. Just remember that IR remotes will not work as they have to be aimed at the radio. Rare earth mags are OK next to the phone as a holding device? Sounds like the electrons in the phone might have some objections. Plus, the whole idea of steering wheel controls is that you don't have to take your eyes off the road if you can feel the buttons and if you do, the buttons are right there. I'd be worried that trying to control the sound system by touching certain areas on the face of a phone the right way would be less safe than using the just a-little to-the-right dash knob controls which stick out. And the phone wouldn't stay in one place. it would constantly be moving with the steering wheel. All this being said, for under $10, it's probably worth getting one just to see what they do. Looks like it might the tough to let it in flush with the top of the horn pad. What's the purple part do?

Why not just go with voice commands, such as: "Please change to preset number 4" or, "Louder, please"or "Stop, STOP, STOP--SHUT THE #*%$%UP!!!"

Are we done here?

[DuncanS]

My original dream was to have a sexy double DIN unit that could display the back-up camera image and do GPS all with additional one-of-a-kind-useless Duncan sexy buttons built into the wheel looking OEM. I'd be willing to throw $25 and 1 1/2 hours into such a setup.

[DuncanS]

And oh by the way, I'm always having so much fun driving Orly Blau, I don't actually ever listen to the radio. Just sit there and dream up problems to solve the are not actual problems and don't need solving.
Orly Blau--Thought the Blaupunkt was the only interesting candidate of all the paste-ons. I'm kinna like you, Dave only older. Gadgets we don't need.

[danfromsyr]

that's why I said blue tooth gadget..

for you oldtimers Bluetooth isn't the bandleader from the muppets.
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[DuncanS]

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Entschuldigung sie Fraulein, auf ihren Zahn ein punkt zu haben.