I'm thinking about replacing the 6 CD changer in my 2001 SE and was wondering if the radio controls on the steering wheel would work with any other radio???

Nothing will be plug and play. But there are some parts that you can buy [$70 part, another 30-40 for professional installation]. They will work via IrDa if the receiver accepts it.

Another option, see my post a couple weeks ago in the stereo forum, is a shift knob that works via Irda instead of a remote.

I recently replaced my stock 6 CD Changer with a new Kenwood KDC-x717 receiver with IR Remote.

Pacific Accesory Corporation has a steering wheel radio control device that was fairly easy to hookup and I am now able to use the steering wheel controls with my Kenwood receiver.

Check out:
http://www.go2pac.com/

From this thread:

Yes , absolutely it can be done.

If the aftermarket head unit that you purchase has remote controll capabilities you can get an adapter kit to integrate your steering wheel controlls so that they are still usable. The relay that is used with the stock unit inside the steering column is replaced an infared system.

The mount the relay inside the steering column and another little red infared reciever thingy inside the center console facing towards your head unit. It's the size of and ants ass so you don't even know it's there. The signal is sent from the steering column to the centerconsole and then to the hed unit. If I have a large soda in the cupholder I block the signal. Otherwise it's fantastic.

The only limitation is that is has to be programmed with the same commands as the remote and unfortuantely the C/D search and radio preset scan functions are on a different set of buttons on my remote.

I have volume and mode still switches from the radio to the C/D and I decided to use the arrows for C/D advance.

I did it some months ago and don't remember who made the integration unit. The price was $80 and the install took the shop about two and a half hours.

Behold the power of search .

I love XOC because while we can fight in some threads, in others we are very helpful

I love it!!

Bobby

where can i find one of these units that make this possible?