Does PAC SWI-X work on cars that don't have the multifunction steering wheel?

My car doesn't have the multifunction steering wheel but I'm planning to install the PAC SWI-X so that I can control my Alpine HU through my newly installed M3 steering wheel. Does anybody know if that will work?

or does the PAC only works on cars that have the multifunction steering wheel to begin with?:sad:
Any info would be appreciated so that I won't waste $66 on something that won't work. Thanks.

Well, since the PAC pretty much bypasses the stock multifunction wiring anyway - I don't THINK its dependent on that. From what I understand, it just uses the steering wheel buttons as an input to an infra-red emitter that you install somewhere else. As long as you can power up the wheel and get a signal going from the buttons into the PAC, it should work.

Of course this is all theoretical, as I don't have the thing installed yet, and my car does have the multifunction wheel.

Originally posted by MAE001
My car doesn't have the multifunction steering wheel but I'm planning to install the PAC SWI-X so that I can control my Alpine HU through my newly installed M3 steering wheel. Does anybody know if that will work?

or does the PAC only works on cars that have the multifunction steering wheel to begin with?:sad:
Any info would be appreciated so that I won't waste $66 on something that won't work. Thanks.

Hmm.. your theory makes perfect sense to me. Can anybody else confirm this?

Sure it works...it's designed to work with or with out factory steering wheel controls. What you have to do in the car of not have steering wheel controls is add in your own buttons. We have done this a few times on the back edge of the steering wheel.

Originally posted by Ron@Streeteffectz
Sure it works...it's designed to work with or with out factory steering wheel controls. What you have to do in the car of not have steering wheel controls is add in your own buttons. We have done this a few times on the back edge of the steering wheel.

Ok now I understand that you can use the PAC in cars that don't have buttons by adding your own i.e in the back edge of the steering wheel.

However, would you be able to use the buttons on the M3 steering wheel instead of adding ones on your own? 'cause the buttons on the M3 wheel don't have any kind of power or signal going on... do you know what I mean?

I'd like this to look as stock as possible.

the steering wheel has to be removed to install the PAC? i don't know if I want my audio shop removing my steering wheel.

The steering wheel does not have to come off.

How do you install the PAC?

I have one waitng to be put in but not sure of where to start.

I didn't do the actual install but I went through the programming steps with my installer and that part alone was a b*tch. You have to like hold the reset button for 2 seconds right after the car turns on. The light does something special. Then you press the button you want to program and point the remote at the black SWI-X box which then programs that button and you have to continue to do this for all the buttons (you can even program the phone and r/t buttons for whatever you'd like). It took my installer and I like 5 times to get it right because if you get one button wrong you have to start over at the beginning. I'm guessing actual install is cutting some wires and attaching the SWI-X to those wires and you also have to mount the IR-eye which sends the signal to the head unit.

Anyone have a DYI for the PAC ?