My lighter circuit in my roof console is dead as well
but I would have installed the PAC wheel interface in the
headliner tapping the power from the lighter there and
pulling the wheel sensor wire (green) up to it.

The wire length confirms good reads from wheel buttons
The eyeglass case cover removes exposing a good amount
of room there to do it.....

But I ended up soldering up an additional 4 foot or so of
wire for the IR emitter and pulled that up instead.
Cant find the break in my factory 12v line (agggrhhhh!)

The transmitter is mounted on the facia with the lighter in
the upper console (drivers side) works a champ!

Shouldn't be too aweful effected by sunlight up high either

Note: I have great IR responce from the Kenwood head unit
with it'* handheld remote (from many an odd angle) and
excellent responce from the PAC SWI-X interface.

The wheel buttons are attached to resistors so it'* basically a resistor
network in the steering controls. The PAC senses them and converts
the resistance on the wire into programmed IR commands - pretty neat.

I mention this because I pulled a LONG sensor wire that ended up
being less than a few feet. So YES the resistance seen by the
PAC unit Changed due to wire length and had to be re-programmed.

So you might want to figure final placement and get the wire length on the
green sensor wire set - BEFORE - you go through the programming process.
Although the unit is easy to program - and remember to place it somewhere
it can be retrieved for programming later.

Now it'* Just like factory.... (ok wayyyy better!)

So there you have it!
Sorry no Pictures....

Cheers!
HowY

have you tried your cigarette lighter with the ignition off? the 2000+ cigarette lighters only have power with the ignition on, or 10 minutes after it'* been on. Thanks for the great write-up. I'll do it as soon as I get a chance.

Silence Of The Cams

Pleased to report back that the PAC SNI-1 Ground Loop Isolator
is another Kickin' product from Pacific Accessory.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...9&loc=111&sp=1

This filter totally Killed my alternator / ignition noise
and I can twist up the gains full blast without any
input noise at all.

My only grouse is how the unit is wired:
Input is a pair of RCA Male'* as a pigtail off the unit
Output a pair of Females fixed on the filter housing

SO why then is it not female Inputs fixed on the housing
with a nice pair of Male Outputs on a longer (12" -16") pigtail

So had to cut and scab in a pair of Female RCA'* on the low level line
and build a jumper (male - male) out of the extra I happend to have left.

Made for a clean input none the less
and worth every penny of the $9.00 asking price

PAC - SNI-1

Thanks for all this info Howy, I might need it someday

Great write-up I put my SWi-X in today and your write up made the whole thing as easy as could be. Thank you now with my two 12'* and steering wheel controls working my car system is finally complete(until I get the itch to upgrade a little )

where did you end up mounting your IR transmitter?

Right next to the steering wheel its almost behind my head unit my pioneer has a wide range that picks up the ir from lots of angles. I just got my digital camera back today so will be taking some pics as soon as i get time

This is great info, thanks for the write up. It'* too bad that you have to mickey-mouse the wiring, but there isn't much of a choice if you want a aftermarkt HU in there. What a bunch of stinkers at GM

Are you still able to use your steering wheel controls ok? How much does all this cost you guys?

Have to reply to a fellow Buckeye!

Yes this system provides Steering Wheel input as long as
your head unit has an IR reciever (comes with a remote)

Got both the filter & controller at the same time
- less than 70 bucks -

On rare occasion (only 2wice so far) the unit will pick
up a stray signal when making hard turns to the right

- I've reprogrammed the unit again and it has'nt happened
yet so far and I go 'round that turn daily. Great product
and an easy install as well....

I would'nt call the wiring "Mickey Mouse" I'd offer it'* more
an error by SCOCHE not verifying the ribbon on newer
models... or at least a note for Pontiac installations of the subtle
changes to the harness (antenna connection and switched power)
otherwise it was a straight up affair & typical of most I've done

Very happy and no factory HU re-location required....!