Many mordern audio systems come with steering wheel audio button functionality.
Basically, this function consists of two wires that are connected to the the audio buttons on factory audio systems.
The aftermarket deck simply monitors the resistance between these two lines, and when that resistance changes, then
the audio system determines what audio button has been depressed.
Different Resistance values represent different buttons depressed.
AU model falcons came with steering wheel mounted audio controls.
These buttons fit to EF and EL Model steering wheels, and would be ideal for use with aftermarket decks.
This document describes what is required to fit, and wire these buttons to be used on an EF/EL Falcons, with an aftermarket Deck.
Tools Required
Phillips head screwdriver
Flatheaded screwdriver
T45 Torx bit
10mm Socket Parts required
Steering wheel audio switches and connector from an AU Falcon
Cruise Control Stalk Switch and assembly from an AU Falcon (If cruise control is fitted).
Clockspring from an AU Falcon
Before you begin
Ensure that your steering wheel is pointed straight ahead. This ensures that the clockspring will be aligned properly when removing and fitting.
Step 1 - Airbag and steering wheel removal
1) Remove the two plastic blanking plugs located on the two sides of the steering wheel plastic cover. >
2) Using a 10mm Socket, remove the two 10mm bolts located under the plastic blanking plugs
3) Gently pull the Airbag from the steering wheel assembly.
4) Disconnect the Airbag from the steering wheel / clockspring connector.
5) Disonnect the cruise control / horn button connectors from the clockspring connector.
6) Using a T45 Torx bit or T45 Torx Key, Loosen the steering wheel mounting bolt.
7) Loosen the Bolt so as it is only held in place by two or three turns.
8) Ensuring the above bolt is in place, forcibly loosen the steering wheel.
(Note the bolt should be in place to prevent the steering wheel from flying off and smacking you in the face,
due to the amount of force that is required to remove the wheel).
9) Once the steering wheel is loose, remove the bolt, and the steering wheel.
The next step is removing the clock spring assembly from the Au Stalk switches, as well as removing the clock spring assembly from the EF Stalk switches.
1) There are three clips that hold the clockspring assembly in place.
2) Depress these clips one by one, and gently release the clockspring assembly from the stalk assembly.
3) Continue the above process for the both the AU and the EF/EL Clocksprring assemblies.
Swapping the Electrical Connectors from the AU and EF Stalk Switches
Note, this step is only required if you have cruise control, and wish to fit the AU Cruise control On/Off Stalk Switch.
This step is provided if the AU stalk switch is missing the variable intermittant wiper and or Ignition key illumination options.
Please also note, if the same functions are available on the AU stalk switch, or these functions are not required,
then you can safely skip this step.
Removing the EF/EL Wiring loom from the stalk assembly
1) Locate and cut the zip tie(s) holding the main wiring loom in place.
2) You will need to remove the 2 main electrical connectors that are plugged on to the stalk switch assembly shown in figure 4.
3) to unplug these connectors, use a flat bladed screwdriver, and gently pry the connector tab apart, freeing the electrical connector.
Removing the AU wiring from the stalk assembly.
1) Locate and cut the zip tie(s) holding the main wiring loom in place.
2) You will need to remove the 2 main electrical connectors that are plugged on to the stalk switch assembly shown in figure 4.
3) to unplug these connectors, use a flat bladed screwdriver, and gently pry the connector tab apart, freeing the electrical connector.
If the wiper stalk on the EF/EL includes the variable intermittant wiper delay ring switch,
you will need to remove the wiper stalk switch from your EF/EL stalk assembly
To do this,
1) Locate the two small phillips head screws holding the wiper stalk switch plastic mounting bracket in place.
2) carefully unscrew these two screws, and gently remove the bracket.
3) pull the wiper stalk switch outward from the stalk assembly.
4) free the wiper stalk switch wiring from the stalk assembly.
Next, you will need to remove the bad wiper stalk switch from the AU assembly.
5) Locate the two small phillips head screws holding the wiper stalk switch plastic mounting bracket in place.
6) carefully unscrew these two screws, and gently remove the bracket.
7) pull the wiper stalk switch outward from the stalk assembly.
8) free the wiper stalk switch wiring from the stalk assembly.
Finally, you will need to fit the EF/EL Wiper stalk switch to the AU stalk assembly
9) Fit the wiper stalk switch into the stalk assembly by aligning the stalk pivot knob into the stalk assembly.
10) Depress the stalk switch detent button, and align the stalk pivot knob with the stalk mounting bracket pivot hole.
11) Align the stalk mounting bracket screw holes with the stalk assembly
12) Tighten the two phillips head screws holding the stalk mounting bracket in place.
1) Connect the electrical connectors that were previously connected.
2) Turn the Ignition siwth to the On Position.
3) Ensure the Turn SIgnals, High Beam, Flash, Wiper, Washer and Hazard light switch functions correctly.
4) If fitted, ensure that The Cruise Control can be turned On and Off using the AU Cruise Control stalk switch.
If there is a problem with any of these, then you will need to unplug the electrical connectors, remove the assembly, and check the connectors.
1) Connect the AU Steering wheel audio buttons, electrical connector, to the clockspring connector.
2) Turn the Ignition Switch on the Accessories Position.
3) Go to the Steering Wheel Audio Control Configuration Menu for your audio system.
4) Select the Learn button function.
5) Press a button on the Steering wheel audio controls.
You Audio system should recognise that a button was pressed. If this is not the case, check the polarity of the Steering Wheel Control wires.
6) Continue testing using all 3 buttons on the steering wheel audio controls.
7) If the Audio system detects all three butons as working, you can continue on to the next step.
NOTE: This step is only required if you have obtained only the Audio Buttons from an AU.
If you are missing the Cruise Control buttons from an AU, then you will need to add an extra wire to the steering wheel audio button connector that connects to the clockspring.
Becuase you will no longer need the Old EF Steering wheel button connector, it is suggested that you butcher this connector to obtain the required pin and wire.
1) Using any tools neccessary, cut the plastic from the old EF 3 Pin Cruise control button connector, and release a wire, complete with pin.
2) Insert this wire into the spare hole in the AU steering wheel audio buttons 4 Pin connector.
6) Cut the 3 WIres coming from the EF/EL Cruise Control Button, near the 3 Pin Connector.
7) Connect the 2 Black wires from the EF/EL Cruise Control Buttons to the Black wire going to the Horns.
8) Connect the spare wire from the 4 Pin AU Steering Wheel button connector to the Blue wire with a black stripe coming from the EF/EL Cruise control buttons.