Hey fellow scioners..... I have a 3 week old BSP Tc which rocks, BTW. Anyway, I just bought a new Eclipse CD8445 HU 2 days ago and had it installed by the dealer.....gotta love that 3 year warranty and theft protection.

So I'm reading through the manual and I come to page 65 and it states " the eclipse website provides software that enables the steering switch operation even with the installation of this deck". I assume the 8455 as well.

So off I go the eclipse website, then the E-iserve website and find nothing on this topic. I searched the net for hours last night and although I did find that the Eclipse NAV units are compatable with the steering wheel controls, I found no information on the single din units.

I then picked up the phone and called Eclipse tech support, and asked the question. The response I got was "Yes, the 8445 and 8455 will work out of the box with all Toyota, Scion and Lexus vehicles that have steering wheel audio controls." Apparently my dealer isn't privy to this information because he's trying to sell the POS Pac SWI-ECL for another 100 bucks. I don't think so.

I'm going back to the my dealer and letting them know what's up, cause the SWC is a must have. I've never had them before on other vehicles and I'm in love with them now.

I just wanted to inform the Scion community because I know the question has been asked, cause i found them when I searched. THERE IS NO SPECIAL ADAPTORS OR OTHER BS NEEDED. Tell your dealer to contact Eclipse for assistance if they are unaware of this feature.

Sorry this was so long winded. Is there any way this can be a sticky?????

There's been many threads discussing the fact that the eclipse works with the steering wheel controls... here's a good link as well...

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=76763&highlight=eclipse+wheel+control

The New Single and Double Din can be made to work.

Now, although good topic, should not be a sticky I feel. With eclipse HU's, the steering controls appear to be hit/miss. My AVN5435 doesn't accept the SWC connector in my 06 tC while all the other connectors were a direct fit. I had to get the SW1-X installed for SWC. I was there when my installer was on speakerphone with Eclipse.

I've read through that thread but it only discusses the DVD/NAV units. My original post was concerning the CD players. And the fact that it's supposed to work right out of the box. No need to buy the PAC SWI-X adaptor or anything like that. The software must be a firmware update or something. There's also a hookup config at the harness, but Eclipse did not tell me how to do it or what it was.

Good point Tucker,

I got a little excited and jumped the gun.

Was there any reference in your manual at all? There is in mine, which is why I contacted Eclipse to verify and start this thread. I don't know if this is just for the 05 units. I've had a couple 04 Eclipse models and don't remember seeing anything in the manual.

I can only verify what was told to me by Eclipse, the 8445 and 8455 will work out of the box with the software upgrade. It sounds like a firmware add-on.

Bottom line is, if you're planning on going with Eclipse and have an 06 Scion or any toyota product, check with your dealer and Eclipse just to make certain.

hold on a sec. people have had success wuth the eclipse HU's working with their steering wheel controls. this is the first of me hearing that someone has had a problem.

as for there being a difference for steering wheel control connections on an 05 and an 06. that is impossible since the steering wheel controls were introduced on the 06 models.

is toyota using 2 different connectors? or did eclipse change what they were using???? :ponder: :question:

I was referring to the 05 model line of Eclipse HU's.

UPDATE!
Here's what I've found so far. There are two brown wires coming off the HU, one solid and the other with a black stripe. These wires go to the remote steering control. I called Eclipse tech support again and asked specifically how to hook things up. His reply was that the two brown wires on the HU match up to two brown wires on the OEM harness coming from the car. I'm not sure if there is a seterate harness plug for the steering wheel controls. There is also a white wire on the OEM side that needs to be grounded. Once these three connections have been made your steering wheel controls will work with the "Eclipse" HU.
I'm still looking into this. I haven't seen my OEM harness yet but it sounds very simple. When i verify this I will post an update with a walkthru if needed.

hm, this is interesting, ive never been sorry that i didnt get the 06 tc since i have a DVD Nav system in my car and didn think it would work with the steering wheel controls, :doh: so now the question is this, can you buy an 06 steering wheel and replace your 05 one? :eyebrow:

Hey everyone, spread the word: http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=100393

Check the sticky all....

Locked.