The Official radio thread!

[sophie]

I hope we can have an interestic topic here - XM's radios.
Since Im thinking about buying a new one, I hope you can give me and maybe others as well some advice - are there any radios with MP3 that support Xm's Wheel Buttons? Is there a chance to make that work?

I have an old 1994 radio that doesnt even have a CD player in it, and it would be nice to have an MP3 support (whether USB, MMC or even plug-in eternal player possibility).

So please, if anyone has managed to get a radio that works with the wheel buttons, share your knowledge!

[Peter.N.]

Hi Sophie

The short answer is yes. I have a radio/cd in mine operated by the steering wheel controls. You can, or at least could, get an interface/adaptor lead for Sony and one or two others. Have a look on ebay.

Peter

[andmcit]

Yep, done this on a few Xm's now. As Peter says, you need a series of adaptor leads that
transfer the signal between the steering wheel plug and whatever make radio you decide
to use. This auction explains all the variety of options and the model numbers needed
from Autoleads:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PC99-X17-Citroen- ... 1|294%3A50

I've recently gone with a couple of recent instals of Sony blacvkface head units that use a
small credit card sized remote that can actually be better than the steering wheel controls
as you get more control than the wheel buttons (even a s2 Xm wheel!!)

Andrew

[Roland]

Hi there, we have finally found an excellent condition 1995 vsx auto, photos to come. It doesn't have the remote controls on the steering wheel however. Can these be added without too much difficulty ? Did the steering wheels come pre-wired to receive the controls? There is an aftermarket radio cd fitted for the moment. Thanks for your advice , Roland

[Peter.N.]

Hi Roland

If its a VSX it should have the radio controls on the steering wheel unless someone has changed it at sometime, in which case the wiring should be there and it should be just a question of changing the steering wheel. Maybe the airbag has been deployed at sometime?

Peter

[Roland]

Thanks for that Peter, perhaps it is just an sx then? Although it has electric windows all round etc. How does the airbag connect? We are thinking of adding the controls to the existing wheel but won't bother unless it is pre-cabled. I have seen photos of low spec cars, without electric seats etc here for parts that have had the controls on the wheel so it must have been an option I guess. Roland

[Peter.N.]

If its an SX it should have a dual zone heater (which I prefer) and mechanical rear windows. If it only needs a steering wheel I have a good low mileage one here, at least it was good last time I looked at it.

Peter

[Roland]

Thanks Peter, we have sourced a wheel.and bought the adaptor leads to a Sony unit. I just hope that all the xm's were pre-cabled to the stereo from the wheel, I should imagine that this is the case but all will be revealed when the wheel is removed! Roland

[Peter.N.]

If it has electric rear windows, seats and climate control it should be a VSX, I hope you are successful.

Peter

[Roland]

Hi Peter, we have sourceda xantia steering wheel with the stereo controls but unfortunately they don't seem to work. Does your wheel have the buttons and an airbag? We have an aftermarket sony stereowth the adaptor leads so all that is fine, fingers crossed! Our car is a 1995, regards roland