After market HU - Steering wheel controls

crawfys85 · 03-10-2017, 01:45 PM

Hi all,

I'm a new member here, but have been trawling through the threads for a few weeks so am confident I'm not doing the "noob" thing and asking something that has already been answered... But let's see...

I recently bought a 325d (2006 E90, M Sport) and wanted to upgrade the stereo system. Long story short, I bought a Kenwood DNX8160 (DAB, Sat Nav, CarPlay - the works!) and I also bought the appropriate Connects2 complete install system.

It is worth noting the OEM stereo was the basic model, no tweeters in the doors and no amplifier in the boot.

So, my issue is that the steering wheel controls are not working, no matter what I do. The CAN bus adapter supplied by Connects2 is functioning correctly because I am getting ignition power, reverse power, handbrake grounding and even the parking sensors and internal "pings" such as the seat belt warning are all still working (since the Connects2 system comes with a little speaker).

I am fairly confident on car audio, and have tried all the usual things (disconnecting a reconnecting the CAN bus interface in different order etc...) but nothing seems to work. The Kenwood unit just doesn't recognise the steering wheel buttons - With the exception of when I hold the phone button down, the unit changes source! Very strange. COnnects2 said this can be a side effect with Kenwoods, but they cant explain why the other buttons do not work.

I have noticed on other feeds people re-locate the OEM HU into the boot to prevent errors with SOS system, but mine doesn't have that. Everything is working perfectly except the steering wheel buttons.

I have also noticed in the BMW loom there are two fibre optic cables which originally ran into the OEM HU (one is green and one is green with a ribbed black sleeve). These are now not connected to anything. Are the steering wheel controls linked to this optical cable in some way? I doubt it because the Connects2 system SHOULD work without optical connections and like I said the other CAN bus functions are working without the optical connection, but obviously there is SOMETHING wrong in my case so thought I would ask.

I hope someone can offer some advice on why the buttons aren't working, or what I can do to fix the problem.

ctuna · 03-10-2017, 01:54 PM

crawfys85 · 03-10-2017, 03:52 PM

Thanks CTuna, some helpful info there. So it is clear to me now the optical cables are nothing to do with the steering wheel controls; which to be honest makes sense because the Connects2 kit I am using "should" work. If nothing else I have piece of mind!

So are there any suggestions on how I can make my interface understand the signals coming from the steering wheel? Again, it is strange because all the other CAN bus functions are working perfectly. Could it be an issue with the Kenwood HU? Or maybe the even the patch lead?

Has anyone here experienced a similar problem?

ctuna · 03-10-2017, 04:15 PM

There should be some members that are familiar with this
they just need to show up.
Changing head units is not widly popular here.
You might want to try the UK subforum to.

did you use this harness

http://www.connects2.com/Product/ProductItem/CTSBM005.2

CTSBM005.2 Looks like there is head unit specific add on for it.
They list two models of the steering wheel cable add on for Kenwood.

I would talk to connects2

03-10-2017, 01:45 PM	#1
crawfys85 New Member 3 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW 325d M Sport (2006 E90) Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Brighton, UK iTrader: (0)	After market HU - Steering wheel controls - HELP PLEASE!! Hi all, I'm a new member here, but have been trawling through the threads for a few weeks so am confident I'm not doing the "noob" thing and asking something that has already been answered... But let's see... I recently bought a 325d (2006 E90, M Sport) and wanted to upgrade the stereo system. Long story short, I bought a Kenwood DNX8160 (DAB, Sat Nav, CarPlay - the works!) and I also bought the appropriate Connects2 complete install system. It is worth noting the OEM stereo was the basic model, no tweeters in the doors and no amplifier in the boot. So, my issue is that the steering wheel controls are not working, no matter what I do. The CAN bus adapter supplied by Connects2 is functioning correctly because I am getting ignition power, reverse power, handbrake grounding and even the parking sensors and internal "pings" such as the seat belt warning are all still working (since the Connects2 system comes with a little speaker). I am fairly confident on car audio, and have tried all the usual things (disconnecting a reconnecting the CAN bus interface in different order etc...) but nothing seems to work. The Kenwood unit just doesn't recognise the steering wheel buttons - With the exception of when I hold the phone button down, the unit changes source! Very strange. COnnects2 said this can be a side effect with Kenwoods, but they cant explain why the other buttons do not work. I have noticed on other feeds people re-locate the OEM HU into the boot to prevent errors with SOS system, but mine doesn't have that. Everything is working perfectly except the steering wheel buttons. I have also noticed in the BMW loom there are two fibre optic cables which originally ran into the OEM HU (one is green and one is green with a ribbed black sleeve). These are now not connected to anything. Are the steering wheel controls linked to this optical cable in some way? I doubt it because the Connects2 system SHOULD work without optical connections and like I said the other CAN bus functions are working without the optical connection, but obviously there is SOMETHING wrong in my case so thought I would ask. I hope someone can offer some advice on why the buttons aren't working, or what I can do to fix the problem.
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03-10-2017, 01:54 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 2045 Rep 13,364 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	head unit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=head+unit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1036190 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin http://www.janus-design.net/english/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355089 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ight=head+unit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=retrofit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=993447 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1016187 https://www.bmwgm5.com/Logic7_E90_91_92_93.htm http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=dynavin BMW stereo types http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352586 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1266451970 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...2&d=1260829447 http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/e7...%20Systems.pdf http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343673 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138949 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780605 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1209780865 http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641323 http://bmwcoders.com/forum/3-er-8/bm...1-e92-e93-291/ http://technicpnp.com/menuDiagrams/d...e90_92_93.html http://www.musicarnw.com/page-2/ http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...3&d=1169133185 http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...4&d=1278871872 See page 10 third link in the above for bus layout number 7 is the steering wheel Most Bus connections only connect the other BMW accessorys , Bluetooth , SOS PDC, Sat radio electical e90 pdf http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.cGU&cad=rja http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...85464276,d.cGU The fact that one button works indicates it can't understand the other button signals. Last edited by ctuna; 03-10-2017 at 02:17 PM..
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03-10-2017, 03:52 PM	#3
crawfys85 New Member 3 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW 325d M Sport (2006 E90) Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Brighton, UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks CTuna, some helpful info there. So it is clear to me now the optical cables are nothing to do with the steering wheel controls; which to be honest makes sense because the Connects2 kit I am using "should" work. If nothing else I have piece of mind! So are there any suggestions on how I can make my interface understand the signals coming from the steering wheel? Again, it is strange because all the other CAN bus functions are working perfectly. Could it be an issue with the Kenwood HU? Or maybe the even the patch lead? Has anyone here experienced a similar problem?
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03-10-2017, 04:15 PM	#4
ctuna Lieutenant General 2045 Rep 13,364 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	There should be some members that are familiar with this they just need to show up. Changing head units is not widly popular here. You might want to try the UK subforum to. did you use this harness http://www.connects2.com/Product/ProductItem/CTSBM005.2 CTSBM005.2 Looks like there is head unit specific add on for it. They list two models of the steering wheel cable add on for Kenwood. I would talk to connects2 Last edited by ctuna; 03-11-2017 at 01:27 AM..
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