Is it possible to make the CD43 work with the factory audio steering controls; referring to the inserts with audio and track controls that can be adapted to the 3 spoke wheels on later cars.

The manual lists the following connections... I don't know what the abbreviation and/or function: ILL, VSS & Remote ... stand for.

1. Main antenna connection

2. Diversity antenna connection

3. Connection for CD changer AI

4. Connector for:
.......................Pin#
......................1. L/F+
......................2. R/F+
......................3. L/R+
......................4. Telephone mute
......................5. IGN+
......................6. R/R+
......................7. I-Bus
......................8. L/F-
......................9. +12v constant
....................10. VSS
....................11. R/F-
....................12. L/R-
....................13. ILL
....................14. R/R-
....................15. GND
....................16. REMOTE
....................17. N/A

5. 10 amp fuse

Yo,
Rod

The manual lists the following connections... I don't know what the abbreviation and/or function: ILL, VSS & Remote ... stand for.

...

Yo,
RodI can't make heads or tails of that. :(

ILL will be illumination signal (i.e. lights on). Remote is to turn on the external amp. VSS is probably vehicle speed signal, to adjust the volume depending on speed.

The steering wheel signals on this radio will come over the i-bus. Which of course requires you to have an i-bus remote steering wheel or an interface box that converts the old style remote signals to i-bus.

JFR, in case anyone was curious, I wanted to retrofit the OE buttons from this wheel (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AM51&mospid=47641&btnr=32_0949&hg=32&fg=35)

I assume, given the aforementioned information, a competent custom audio shop could do it?

I'm not exactly sure, as I'm no expert on the i-bus system. It may be that the steering wheel i-bus wire can be connected directly to the radio, but I suspect some form of interfacing will be required, as the i-bus carries signals for various components around the car.

As the E31 was never fitted with steering wheel remote controls as standard, I don't know whether the line can be hooked up to the existing i-bus.

It is possible though, as others have fitted OE steering wheel controls to the E31 before. I believe the webmaster of www.8er.ch is one of them, but the site is in German so unless you understand the language it won't be of much help.

I know it's been done before:

http://cms.clube31.de/files/cars/AlpinaB125.7/52/pict0032.jpg?pw=800&ph=600

Interesting. I will look more into it after I get a hold of a CD43 unit.

It all depends on what is going on inside the steering wheel. If it is just some sort of multiplex circuit (most are), the you can build an adapter to read the signals and convert them to drive whatever you want. If you look at the picture the Alpina 8 you will see that it has a couple of Pioneer pieces in the dash so no I-Bus here. I would assume that they just built a box to read which switch was pushed and converted it into something the Pioneer could understand - either IR or some hardwire interface. I've done things like this many times.

Here is a picture of some controls I did in my '91 E32. The second set of window switches controls the radio. I can adjust volume, track, source, mode, and disc/preset with these. It is probably similar to the steering wheel.

-Douglas

I know it is not about the steering wheel, but here are some pictures of the rest of the system in my e32. I went a little overboard.

And a few more.

Sorry about hijacking the thread for an e32.

I'll post some of my e31 when I do the system in it. :)

That E32 setup is awesome! I assume a competent audio shop is capable of creating such a conversion/transfer box, correct?

You can get a pac adapter or others from the bay to work with the wheel above, You can control next song and volume control easily, I have a new MF 3 spoke wheel with airbag if someone needs one, Below are pics of the adapters, Most of them work with aftermarket stereos, Not sure about stock stereo's.

I am not sure about a PAC adapter working with that wheel or not. I made my own. I looked a PAC's website and they might have what you need. Check with them. They do it a couple of ways. If not, I could help you make something. It might be interesting to have a steering wheel that will control the radio. Is the airbag single stage?

It all depends on what is going on inside the steering wheel. If it is just some sort of multiplex circuit (most are), the you can build an adapter to read the signals and convert them to drive whatever you want. If you look at the picture the Alpina 8 you will see that it has a couple of Pioneer pieces in the dash so no I-Bus here. I would assume that they just built a box to read which switch was pushed and converted it into something the Pioneer could understand - either IR or some hardwire interface. I've done things like this many times.

Here is a picture of some controls I did in my '91 E32. The second set of window switches controls the radio. I can adjust volume, track, source, mode, and disc/preset with these. It is probably similar to the steering wheel.

-Douglas

IS THE RADIO NOT WITHIN ARMS REACH? IF IT IS, THEN WHAT IS THE POINT OF THOSE SWITCHES? ISN'T IT SAFER TO LOOK HALF WAY DOWN THEN ALL THE WAY DOWN WHILE DRIVING? I THOUGHT THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF HAVING THE SWITCHES ONT HE STEERING WHEEL, WERE SO YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE WHEEL. SO EVEN IF YOU MEMORIZED THE SWITCHES, WHAT GOOD DO THEY DO?

EXCELLENT WORK, DON'T GET ME WRONG. AND NEAT STUFF. I JUST DON'T SEE THE POINT OF IT....

The point of it is this. I am 6'7" tall. My seat is all the way back. I have to lean forward slightly to operate the radio or any dash controls for that matter in the E32. These switches are at my finger tips when my arm is on the arm rest. I just reach down and operate the system. I can do it all by touch. The E32 did not have steering wheel controls either. This was the solution I opted for on that car. It works fantastic and I never touch the radio. You would see the point if you sat in the car.

Something that is not shown in the pictures is that I added some other BMW oem switches by the rear cigarette lighter that allows the rear seat passengers to control volume up and down and track up and down. That interfaces with the same control module.

There is an RS232 port in the front side of the passenger seat that allows me to connect a laptop computer and control and tune the system from it as well. Of course that is pointless and the custom computer that controls system on and off sequencing and thermal management. This car is full of pointless, bu the switches in the console are some of the most useful parts of the system.

The car is too small for your height. IMO! I would say 6'3 Max...

I alternate days between a 840, 735iL. & Porsche 911.

:confused....I'm 6'7, drive the car every day and have no seat(comfort,reach) issues. I did take out the sunroof headliner though.

Amazing, I'm only 6'1 and the seat is all the way back,

Amazing, I'm only 6'1 and the seat is all the way back,6'2" here and the same.