2008 MCS JCW. Factory HIFI. No OEM nav or Bluetooth


Appreciate the help ahead of this post. I searched and researched and planned to try and prevent exactly what ended up happening... Unfortunately some of the older threads are incomplete (pictures) or simply document successful installs without write ups.


So I have three issues. Replaced hifi with kenwood 8901 to get Bluetooth phone and steering wheel controls. I have a 6spd manual and don't have three arms. The deck is installed and functioning, but the stock deck was not relocated (needed info), steering wheel controls were not installed because they do not have a mini specific module, and it loses clock and presets.

First. The shop that did the install has no idea what to do with the stock stereo in order to retain computer/OBD functions. I believe I have the correct ribbon cable and length, but they have no idea how some have tucked the case up behind the speedo or what the connections for the ribbon cable are attached to in the car. I really need some specific pictures (which appear to be lost from older threads), or some detailed description. I am not helping, because there are two ribbon cables and it appears the longer ribbon cable I have will not provide any connection to the car (I may have the wrong cable). Best I can tell the OEM part in the speedo is retained and the brains must get stuffed somewhere. What and how are the factory connections maintained?

Second is steering wheel control. The only option is Axxess ASWC-1? The shop is concerned that this is a generic not specific solution, and can't verify it will work. (They don't stock it). Any input for this product or others that will interface is awesome.

Third is the correct power connection to retain memory settings when the car is off. I think the plan is to run a wire directly to the battery, as now it will hold memory for about 20 minutes, after that it has lost most settings like clock, presets, etc. I found some reference to the yellow wire from the ISO blah blah, either incomplete or way more technical than I can process.

I have it going back in end of this week to hopefully remedy the problems.

Thanks again.

David

 

I have some pictures in my gallery of oem ribbon and a google image of some one else's project.

Anyone with other pictures of how the ribbon cables were replaced?