I'd like to spread the word such that as many people can see it as possible, so I am making a new thread. I almost didn't buy an aftermarket headunit because I didn't want to lose the steering wheel controls, but then I learned about the PAC adapters for whichever brand HU you have. However, these things are expensive, difficult to install, and don't always work great. My search continued until I came to the eclipse brand name.

The professionals, your friends, scion, and even eclipse for that matter will tell you that you need that PAC unit to get the sw controls to work. WRONG. I have today successfully installed my new Eclipse CD3000 aftermarket HU and I have all the steering wheel controls functional without any additional adapters. I have ONLY tested this with the eclipse cd3000 and I believe that eclipse is the only brand that this will work with, however simply tapping into the correct wires where the stock sw control harness is and connecting it correctly to the eclipse sw control wires on the back of the unit will enable the controls. The only additional items necessary, are 1 resistor, and a little knowledge about wiring. After a little trial and error and a few calls to eclipse (they tried to convince me that what i was doing was impossible), I was able to succesfully connect all of the sw controls.

So spread the word and hopefully all of you guys that used the 'search' button for this problem came across this thread and found it useful. It is known that eclipse and toyota work together, so there is more proof and a great reason to pick out an eclipse HU. Did I mention that the cd3000 sounds unfreakinbelievable?

Enjoy and happy wiring!

 

i would disagree with all 3 of your statements. i'm not sponsored by PAC, but i beleive that they have a solid product. That, and I would never give up my Kenwood HU. At $69 from crutchfield, perhaps less from other places i find the price moderate in an overall stereo purchase...expensive is a real stretch here. and mine has worked without issue for quite some time. They have several models including direct wire connect and IR..

lastly, i find that the install is no more difficult than other types of wiring...and if your eclipse required running back to the mfg for additional info, a resistor and a "knowledge of wiring", i'd say the ease of installation is about the same.

 

Well not to be rude or anything, but this was for peoples info, I really didn't ask for anyones opinion on the product. I have seen them installed 3 times, 2 times they didn't work and one time it did - installed by professionals. If it worked for you, GREAT, I hope you enjoy it! No additional part and all alot less wiring is a lot easier however. Expensive is all relative. $70 to a college student is very expensive, especially if there is a way of doing it for free, i'd prefer the $70 in my pocket - thats a full day of work for me! I was simply stating mine own opinion based on what i've seen with my own 2. Thats why its an opinion/observation - based on empirical data...not looking for other opinions on this thread - that can be for another. This is just to help people with an eclipse radio who want to reattach the sw controls. Kenwoods are great units, once again, for another thread! With the kenwood, I too would get a PAC, but with the eclipse - not necessary!

And if the PAC is easy for you to install, then you can do this with your eyes closed. I am not experienced with these things, so that is why i consider it difficult and time consuming. If experienced to the point that the PAC is easy, like I said, this is cake. If someone with my level of experience can do this wiring (which is no experience), than anybody can do it! No way that I could have done the PAC install - i read the instructions and tried it to no avail.

 

threaded forums are for posting opinions.

you have yours, i have mine. whether you like it or not, and whether you asked for it or not. when you post, expect some sort of response. that's what this website is all about.

 

keep it relevant - what you did is known as threadjacking. Stay on topic...this thread isn't for opinions, it is for help on installing the sw controls and just informing people that it is doable...maybe this thread should be locked mods, i've said what I wanted to say and hopefully it will help someone out!

 

gee gosh sorry dad, i thought this was a thread about how you thought the pac was crap. and how on a a limited budget college students can still afford the Eclipse.
my experience with the PAC says otherwise. thought that what this site was all about. I forgot you were the grand poobah. geez i'll try not to "threadjack" your posts again. i now know that when you post an opinion...no one else should comment on the topic. understood and very sorry.

the beev

 

i dont feel like trading wits at this point - middle school was several years ago - mods, lock this one up please!