DIY for Steering Wheel Removal and Steering Wheel Audio Control Unit Install
Joined: May 2002
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From: Aurora, Colorado
bmccann101 i've done this for my 05 z. Need help?
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Joined: May 2018
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From: AZ
Rehash on an old subject for anybody looking to complete this DIY. Following through the thread I was able to completely get an 03 steering wheel working with illumination and SWC to an android deck. The female pin connectors from RadioShack weren’t an exact fit but worked with some finagling. The easiest way to complete this was getting an 06+ clockspring and installing it. It was simple plug and play. All that leaves you with is running the wires as stated in the original DIY. But to get illumation, which many had issues with or never seemed to be tackled in this forum… all the 350z’s have a dummy button for the roadsters. Behind that dummy button you will find the negative and positive illumination wires for the drop top button. With some effort you can depin those wires, cut and extend them. Feed them into the corresponding illumination pin outs for the clockspring. Fully functioning SWC with dimming illumination
bmccann101 i've done this for my 05 z. Need help?
Idk how to test them
.. Can you advise what wires inside the vehicle side grey plug go to what on the aftermarket radio?
That way I can test location in the Grey plug.. And if I know what they put out (canbus? Resistance style?) I'll have an idea what to order for a Controller..
I'm using a joying android radio now.
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Joined: Sep 2025
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Has anyone tried installing a 2008 steering wheel controls to 2003-2005 zs? I just wanted to see if this was even an option if you wanted voice controls on the steering wheel, which replaces the PWR button? Otherwise, I will just stick with the 2006 steering wheel controls if it's not an option. Thanks.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 8,609
Likes: 1,388
From: Aurora, Colorado
Has anyone tried installing a 2008 steering wheel controls to 2003-2005 zs? I just wanted to see if this was even an option if you wanted voice controls on the steering wheel, which replaces the PWR button? Otherwise, I will just stick with the 2006 steering wheel controls if it's not an option. Thanks.
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Joined: Sep 2025
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Thanks. I have a 2004 Touring with cruise control so it won't have stereo and voice controls. If my understanding is correct, I only need the following 2006 parts to using the steering wheel audio controls for an aftermarket stereo. I also do want to get the illumination on the steering wheel controls and understand there are 2 additional wires that will need to be connected from the 06 Clockspring interface on the car side to enable this to work. I will be tackling this project at some point after getting the necessary parts needed. Just wondering if anyone tried adding additional components to enable the voice control on steering wheel to work and what additional components are needed to make it work.
2006 Steering wheel controls
2006 Clockspring
PAC SWI-PS or equivalent to connect to 3 wires on the 06 Clockspring interface side
2006 Steering wheel controls
2006 Clockspring
PAC SWI-PS or equivalent to connect to 3 wires on the 06 Clockspring interface side
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Joined: Sep 2025
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Stuck on illumination and dimmer wires
Has anyone figure out where pin 26 and 27 needs to be connected to get illumination and dimmer working with the 06 steering wheel controls. I tried connecting to the stereo illumination and dimmer wire and it still did not work. I also tried tapping into the VDS illumination wire without success either. I got all the other steering wheel controls to work with exception of illumination and dimmer wires I needed up taking the pins needed from 06+ to populate all 8 pins on the back end of the harness. I’m using Axxess Steering wheel adapter with an Kenwood aftermarket radio.
I'm bumpin this back up, been working diligently on this on my 03'.
I'm doing the 03' spiral cable w/ 06' Steering Wheel controls, I have the controls all mounted up, and I pinned the other side of the harness, I have 2 wires for the steering wheel controls, 1 wire for a ground, and 1 wire for illumination, I have no idea where to put the illumination wire to get power, I attempting to t-tap the illumination wire for my VDC but it doesn't work, I dunno if it doesn't have enough power or something to power the illumination for my controls, I dunno. It's kinda holding me up. I have also t-tapped the illumination wire for the radio and that didn't work either, does the illumination wire require resistance or something?
Are either of the illumination wires on the 03' Spiral Cable, I thought only the dimmer wire was missing not the illumination?
I have been going over this a million times, pin 26 and 27 are illumination, pin 27 isn't there through the 03' spiral cable, so you only have pin 26, is it possible to still power up the illumination with only the one illumination wire, because the dimmer is the other wire and thats why you need the 06' spiral cable to get the 8th dimmer wire.
Oh and here's my list of what wires are what:
27 is Dimmer (this is not on the 03' this wire is the one that isn't in the spiral cable and thats why you need the 06' to get the dimming feature).
26 is Illumination
25 is Horn
24 is Steering Wheel Control A
34 is Cruise Control
33 is Cruise Control
32 is Steering Wheel Control B
31 is Ground
A total of 8 wires, which the 06' has but the 03' does not have.
I'm doing the 03' spiral cable w/ 06' Steering Wheel controls, I have the controls all mounted up, and I pinned the other side of the harness, I have 2 wires for the steering wheel controls, 1 wire for a ground, and 1 wire for illumination, I have no idea where to put the illumination wire to get power, I attempting to t-tap the illumination wire for my VDC but it doesn't work, I dunno if it doesn't have enough power or something to power the illumination for my controls, I dunno. It's kinda holding me up. I have also t-tapped the illumination wire for the radio and that didn't work either, does the illumination wire require resistance or something?
Are either of the illumination wires on the 03' Spiral Cable, I thought only the dimmer wire was missing not the illumination?
I have been going over this a million times, pin 26 and 27 are illumination, pin 27 isn't there through the 03' spiral cable, so you only have pin 26, is it possible to still power up the illumination with only the one illumination wire, because the dimmer is the other wire and thats why you need the 06' spiral cable to get the 8th dimmer wire.
Oh and here's my list of what wires are what:
27 is Dimmer (this is not on the 03' this wire is the one that isn't in the spiral cable and thats why you need the 06' to get the dimming feature).
26 is Illumination
25 is Horn
24 is Steering Wheel Control A
34 is Cruise Control
33 is Cruise Control
32 is Steering Wheel Control B
31 is Ground
A total of 8 wires, which the 06' has but the 03' does not have.
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Joined: Sep 2025
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I heard that the illumination could be negative/ground side switching instead of the normal positive and ground wiring. Can anyone confirm and what needs to be done for this type of wiring?
Also does the ground wire 31 on the back side suppose to provide ground for the illumination and dimmer on the steering wheel controls as well as the audio controls?
Really want to get this project wrapped up and appreciate any help. Thanks.
Also does the ground wire 31 on the back side suppose to provide ground for the illumination and dimmer on the steering wheel controls as well as the audio controls?
Really want to get this project wrapped up and appreciate any help. Thanks.
Has anyone figure out where pin 26 and 27 needs to be connected to get illumination and dimmer working with the 06 steering wheel controls. I tried connecting to the stereo illumination and dimmer wire and it still did not work. I also tried tapping into the VDS illumination wire without success either. I got all the other steering wheel controls to work with exception of illumination and dimmer wires I needed up taking the pins needed from 06+ to populate all 8 pins on the back end of the harness. I’m using Axxess Steering wheel adapter with an Kenwood aftermarket radio.
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Joined: Sep 2025
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When you changed to using the 06 clockspring, did you also change out to 06 steering angle sensor behind clockspring so the VDC and Slip lights don’t go haywire even after recalibration? I saw there are extra wires on the 06 steering sensor compared to the 04 sensor with fewer wires on the sensor harness as well.
Haven’t seen anyone talk about this in upgrading to 06 steering wheel controls on cars with VDC. What did you plug the illumination and dimmer wires to once you depin and add to the clockspring back harness?
Haven’t seen anyone talk about this in upgrading to 06 steering wheel controls on cars with VDC. What did you plug the illumination and dimmer wires to once you depin and add to the clockspring back harness?
Rehash on an old subject for anybody looking to complete this DIY. Following through the thread I was able to completely get an 03 steering wheel working with illumination and SWC to an android deck. The female pin connectors from RadioShack weren’t an exact fit but worked with some finagling. The easiest way to complete this was getting an 06+ clockspring and installing it. It was simple plug and play. All that leaves you with is running the wires as stated in the original DIY. But to get illumation, which many had issues with or never seemed to be tackled in this forum… all the 350z’s have a dummy button for the roadsters. Behind that dummy button you will find the negative and positive illumination wires for the drop top button. With some effort you can depin those wires, cut and extend them. Feed them into the corresponding illumination pin outs for the clockspring. Fully functioning SWC with dimming illumination
New Member
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 7
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Update:
I finally got the illumination on the SWC working and the VDC issues resolved. I ended up reverting back to the older model spiral clock spring since the older steering angle sensor does not work with 06 clock spring if you have VDC on your car. Aside from putting back the old spiral clock spring, I cut the pink wire from the steering wheel controls for the pin that is missing on wire harness and grounded using the existing screw holding down the magnetic plate used with the steering angle sensor. Afterwards, I connected the illumination control wire on the back side of spiral clock spring to the VDC switch illumination power wire and was able to have the steering wheel controls light up when turning on the parking lights.
I also did a manual re-calibration following these steps below and did not run into VDC or Slip lights turning back on again.
I finally got the illumination on the SWC working and the VDC issues resolved. I ended up reverting back to the older model spiral clock spring since the older steering angle sensor does not work with 06 clock spring if you have VDC on your car. Aside from putting back the old spiral clock spring, I cut the pink wire from the steering wheel controls for the pin that is missing on wire harness and grounded using the existing screw holding down the magnetic plate used with the steering angle sensor. Afterwards, I connected the illumination control wire on the back side of spiral clock spring to the VDC switch illumination power wire and was able to have the steering wheel controls light up when turning on the parking lights.
I also did a manual re-calibration following these steps below and did not run into VDC or Slip lights turning back on again.
- Turn on the vehicle’s ignition without starting the engine, and make sure the steering wheel is in the straight - ahead center position.
- Slowly turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and hold it for 3 - 5 seconds.
- Then slowly turn it all the way to the right and hold it for another 3 - 5 seconds
- Turn the steering wheel back to the center position again.
- Start the vehicle and drive at a speed of more than 20km/h (12mph) for 5 - 10 minutes.
Last edited by ninjastar; Dec 19, 2025 at 10:31 PM.
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