Not sure if this really should be in the "How-To" section, but a mod can move it if needed.
I just installed the PAC SWI-X steering wheel audio control adaptor to control my aftermarket Alpine deck, and I figured I'd explain how it went for those who want to try it. The application guide for the unit is somewhat generic so hopefully this will make things easier since it is specifically for the Mazda 3.
Sorry, but I don't have any pics from the install due a camera malfunction, but I'll try to be as descriptive as possible. If I can get a camera working, I'll take some pictures and edit this post.
Here is the unit (picture borrowed from the http://pac-audio.com website):
I started by removing the all of the wires except for the red, white, and black wires from the connector. Use a small nail or pin and press on the little clips for each wire and pull them out the back of the connector. You can just tape each unused wire, but doesn't look as nice. Do not cut or remove the loop wires though. I then braided the three remaining long wires together to keep things tidy.
1: Attach the red wire on the PAC unit to a switched 12v source. The wire for the radio works well.
2: Attach the white wire on the PAC unit to pin 9 of the Mazda harness.
3: Attach a wire from the wire on pin 10 (of the Mazda harness) to ground.
4: The black wire on the PAC unit goes to ground. I attached the black ground wire for the PAC unit to the wire going to pin 10 of the Mazda harness (step 3 above), and then attached both of them to the same ground point. I used the radio ground wire for the ground point.
That's it for wiring! Below is a picture of the Mazda 3 connector (again borrowed from the Pac-audio website) viewed from the end, not the wire-side:
Programming is pretty easy. The application guide tells you to just turn on the ignition, but I've heard that the unit seems more stable if you have the motor running for the full 14.4volts.
1: While holding the MODE button in, start the car and leave it running. Release the mode button.
2: Once both LED's turn on then off, press and release the MODE button 3 times. Each time you press the MODE button, the LEDs will both blink once.
3: Wait for 3 seconds and the LEDs will flash on and off 3 times. Proceed to step 4. If they do not flash 3 times, shut the car off and start over at step 1.
4: Press/release the MODE button once to enter programming mode.
5: The "Press Steering Wheel Button" LED will light up. Press/release one of the steering wheel buttons. The "Press Steering Wheel Button" LED will shut off and the "Press Function on IR Remote" LED will light up.
6: Point the remote control for your radio to the "IR Remote Input" area and press/release the corresponding button on the remote control for your radio. The "Press Steering Wheel Button" LED will shut off and the "Press Steering Wheel Button" LED will turn on.
7: Repeat steps 6 and 7 for each function on the steering wheel controls.
8: When done programming all buttons, wait 7 seconds and both LEDs will blink 3 times. Programming is done!
9: Now you can try it out by holding the IR LED (the long black cable on the PAC unit) to the radio and press the various steering wheel controls to make sure they all work. Also, each time you press a steering wheel button, one of the LEDs on the PAC unit will blink rapidly telling you that it is sending a signal (Can't remember which LED it is, but one does blink).
If any of the steering wheel buttons do not work, you will have to re-program all the buttons again (you can't simply re-program just one). To reprogram, just shut the car off, start it again, and start over at step 4 above.
Once everything works good, you can mount the IR LED. Drill a 3/16 hole in the desired spot. Snap the LED holder (small black piece) into the front of the hole. Snap the LED into the holder from the rear.
I mounted my IR LED about 1" below the latch to open the center console storage compartment. It seems to be a good place, except that when I shift, my hand/arm block the signal. Otherwise it is fine. I was going to mount it to the dome light behind the sunroof but wasn't satisfied with the angle.
You will notice you have to press and hold the steering wheel buttons about 1/2 second before they work. If you just press and release quickly, the PAC unit won't send a signal.
Here is a link to the full application guide at the PAC-audio website: http://www.pac-audio.com/swixprogra...mmSearch=Mazda&Submit2=Search+Vehicles&ID=224
Have fun!
I just installed the PAC SWI-X steering wheel audio control adaptor to control my aftermarket Alpine deck, and I figured I'd explain how it went for those who want to try it. The application guide for the unit is somewhat generic so hopefully this will make things easier since it is specifically for the Mazda 3.
Sorry, but I don't have any pics from the install due a camera malfunction, but I'll try to be as descriptive as possible. If I can get a camera working, I'll take some pictures and edit this post.
Here is the unit (picture borrowed from the http://pac-audio.com website):
I started by removing the all of the wires except for the red, white, and black wires from the connector. Use a small nail or pin and press on the little clips for each wire and pull them out the back of the connector. You can just tape each unused wire, but doesn't look as nice. Do not cut or remove the loop wires though. I then braided the three remaining long wires together to keep things tidy.
1: Attach the red wire on the PAC unit to a switched 12v source. The wire for the radio works well.
2: Attach the white wire on the PAC unit to pin 9 of the Mazda harness.
3: Attach a wire from the wire on pin 10 (of the Mazda harness) to ground.
4: The black wire on the PAC unit goes to ground. I attached the black ground wire for the PAC unit to the wire going to pin 10 of the Mazda harness (step 3 above), and then attached both of them to the same ground point. I used the radio ground wire for the ground point.
That's it for wiring! Below is a picture of the Mazda 3 connector (again borrowed from the Pac-audio website) viewed from the end, not the wire-side:
Programming is pretty easy. The application guide tells you to just turn on the ignition, but I've heard that the unit seems more stable if you have the motor running for the full 14.4volts.
1: While holding the MODE button in, start the car and leave it running. Release the mode button.
2: Once both LED's turn on then off, press and release the MODE button 3 times. Each time you press the MODE button, the LEDs will both blink once.
3: Wait for 3 seconds and the LEDs will flash on and off 3 times. Proceed to step 4. If they do not flash 3 times, shut the car off and start over at step 1.
4: Press/release the MODE button once to enter programming mode.
5: The "Press Steering Wheel Button" LED will light up. Press/release one of the steering wheel buttons. The "Press Steering Wheel Button" LED will shut off and the "Press Function on IR Remote" LED will light up.
6: Point the remote control for your radio to the "IR Remote Input" area and press/release the corresponding button on the remote control for your radio. The "Press Steering Wheel Button" LED will shut off and the "Press Steering Wheel Button" LED will turn on.
7: Repeat steps 6 and 7 for each function on the steering wheel controls.
8: When done programming all buttons, wait 7 seconds and both LEDs will blink 3 times. Programming is done!
9: Now you can try it out by holding the IR LED (the long black cable on the PAC unit) to the radio and press the various steering wheel controls to make sure they all work. Also, each time you press a steering wheel button, one of the LEDs on the PAC unit will blink rapidly telling you that it is sending a signal (Can't remember which LED it is, but one does blink).
If any of the steering wheel buttons do not work, you will have to re-program all the buttons again (you can't simply re-program just one). To reprogram, just shut the car off, start it again, and start over at step 4 above.
Once everything works good, you can mount the IR LED. Drill a 3/16 hole in the desired spot. Snap the LED holder (small black piece) into the front of the hole. Snap the LED into the holder from the rear.
I mounted my IR LED about 1" below the latch to open the center console storage compartment. It seems to be a good place, except that when I shift, my hand/arm block the signal. Otherwise it is fine. I was going to mount it to the dome light behind the sunroof but wasn't satisfied with the angle.
You will notice you have to press and hold the steering wheel buttons about 1/2 second before they work. If you just press and release quickly, the PAC unit won't send a signal.
Here is a link to the full application guide at the PAC-audio website: http://www.pac-audio.com/swixprogra...mmSearch=Mazda&Submit2=Search+Vehicles&ID=224
Have fun!
