Hey guys,

The car in question is an '02 MCS - Non-HK, w/o Nav.

I've searched a bit and found either the PAC-SWI-Jack to be either difficult to program or open threads with no follow ups or some how-to's, but with persistent difficulties and broken links to pics.

Anyway, I want to upgrade to a Kenwood KIV-BT901 HU, but don't want to lose the steering wheel controls.

Many recommend the PAC-SWI-Jack, but many also have difficulties programming the actual unit and still become slow to respond or non responsive after some time.

Others have recommended Mike at NewMINIStuff's plug and play adapter ..

So .. how does Mike's adapter actually fit? I am purchasing the HU from Crutchfield so it will come with the harness adapter that will connect the new receiver's harness and the factory harness. How does Mike's actually fit in this?


Also, for those wo can answer about Mike's adapter, was the phone function for the HU able to have been programmed into the buttons?

 

Read my post about steering wheel controls. Mike's works great. Get the Kenwood unit with Boost for a US install. Also, get the ISO connector kit.

You will put the ISO connector on the ends of the cable coming from the Kenwood. This will plug right into the Steering Wheel Interface, which plugs right into the OEM wiring harness. No wires to cut at all.

No programming either. It is plug and play. Just did mine today. Very easy

 

Hey thanks Usuee!

I read your post a few weeks back, but I was still on the fence in which direction I was going to take my audio upgrade to. I was settled on just using a Line Out Converter just to keep my MFSW.

If you don't mind answering a few more questions ...

I was planning on a Kenwood KIV-BT901 headunit. It has bluetooth for the phone.

Will Mike's adapter work for the phone function? It's no big deal if it doesn't.
I assume that my original functions on the steering wheel will be kept - volume, mode, preset station search. Will it be the same on the new headunit?

Thanks for the reply, I want to absolutely ensure this will work on my car since Mike's adapter, being overseas, is a bit pricey, but hopefully will be worth it.

 

I put one of Mike's cables on my 2005. Using the stock head unit and a parrot bluetooth device it allowed me to use the phone buttons and still allowed the stereo buttons to function.

Mike has different cable sets for different head units and different cars and years.

Mike knows his stuff. He is busy and across the pond, but he will get back to you.

 

I can't speak for bluetooth as the unit I got does not have that, but as for the rest, yes. The steering wheel controls work great. Actually, there is one button on the steering wheel, in between the tune up and down, that did not seem to do anything for the OEM stereo, but now it changes to the next preset station.