I can't seem to post in the tech forum. Can anybody help me with that? I need some help getting the controls on my steering wheel to function again. Stock radio, they just stopped. Been dealing with eps issue for almost a year now. Please help. AND YES i've searched about 200 hours on the internet for the answers to no avail. THanks.

 

Why you can only post threads here: RX8Club.com - Announcements in Forum : New Member Forum

I don't see much info on the steering wheel controls either, so I'm going to move the thread to the audio subforum to see if anyone there can help you better.

 

Ok. Here is the info on the steering wheel controls...

1) Wiring schematics... FSM - Section 13 - Subsection J3 - Page 92 - Audio Control Switch.

It's a simply circuit... two wires to the radio... high resistance across the two wires when all switches are at rest, lowered resistance when any of the buttons are depressed.

2) Troubleshooting procedure... Workshop manual - Troubleshooting - Body and Accessories - Entertainment - Audio Control Switch Inpection

The troubleshooting procedure in the workshop manual requires the removal of the steering wheel and the driver's side airbag... so that would be the last resort...

When the controls stop working, It will be one of four things...
a) The control switches are damaged,
b) there is a broken wire between the steering column and the radio
c) there is a damaged or loose pin in the radio connector.
d) The head unit (radio) is damaged.

So... first, take apart the center console and remove the radio... Verify that the pins in the connector are not bent or broken. In the radio harness, The audio control switch wires are on pins N (Red/Black wire) and P (Green/White wire) of the connector.. use an ohmmeter and verify the resistance between the two pins as follows...

Switch position = Resistance (ohm)
VOL- switch ON = 51-56
VOL+ switch ON = 140-154
SEEK+ switch ON = 286-315
SEEK- switch ON = 534-589
MODE switch ON = 985-1,080
MUTE switch ON = 1,940-2,130
OFF = 4,800-5,290

If the resistance is infinite (usually indicated on a digital meter by a -1 reading), then the problem is closer to the steering wheel (either a broken wire or damaged controls)... More to the wiring harness under the steering wheel and find the two wires (Red/Black and Green/White) in the clockspring connector (you should be able to test the wires from the back of the connector) and test again. If the resistance is still infinite, the problem is in the controls and you will need to replace or repair them (Up here in Canada, I was quoted $400 for the controls and 3 hours labour for the repair by Mazda). If the readings are as specified, you will need to run two new wires from the clockspring connector to the radio connector.


If the readings are as specified, the problem is with the connection to the radio or with the radio itself. Again, check the pins in the connector and the socket in the radio for damage. Reconnect the radio making sure that the connector is firmly seated and test the controls...

Hopefully, the problem is just a loose connections at the radio, and will be easily fixed...

Either way... A learning experience... 8-}

 

Ok so if it was just the radio controls I could live with that. But nothing works. No cruise control. No horn. No air bag. No stereo. Nothing. I could start tearing the dash apart and checking for issues there but everything worked fine until I changed the ps rack plugs wires and coil packs. Now nothing works on the steering wheel. It has to be something with one of those or having the battery unplugged for a week. Idk.

 

FWIW, this is typically called a R2R Ladder

 

You did not mention that NOTHING works...

Start checking fuses... you HAVE blown at least one... probably the ROOM fuse, which would disable interior lighting, radio, cruise control, instrument panel and others...

(How do you know the air bag does not work??? did you hit the crash sensor with a sledgehammer???) [ NOTE: DO NOT DO THIS!!!!! ]

 

I'll start checking the fuses again. I checked them once already. I'll check them again. Including the ones in the pillar lower drivers side door area and under the hood. I don't really want to tear apart the dash as i've done nothing in there. We'll see what happens when I check every fuse and relay. Thanks guys.