Adding steering wheel media controls 07 ext

[Peter M Jenkins]

I have 07 expedition ext 5.4 wanting to add right side steering wheel media controls. Bought switch. No harness behind the old one to plug it into. Which I am now assuming means I need to replace clockspring. Controls I bought I believe are for 2012. Has only phone symbol on bottom button. Not temp. So would I be correct in assuming I would have to find a clockspring for 2012 in order for it to connect to buttons? But will that fit and work properly in an 07? Is the wiring harness the same behind the clockspring to be plugged in? Will I have to replace left side contorls as well? Or do I have to find the right side one with temp as bottom button and just deem them null? Not sure what to do could use some words

 

[Aspen03]

What exactly functionality are you attempting to add? I would guess that unless the vehicle was equipped with whatever those buttons control its unlikely they'll do anything even if you find a way to connect. If the radio wasn't designed for the functions...they won't be there.

If its an aftermarket radio it is much easier to just use a different SWI that has programmable functions and assign a long press secondary function to each button that you already have.

 

[Peter M Jenkins]

Aftermarket android touchscreen with capability of swc. Car just didnt have them to be connected so I thought I'd add them but want the stock look not aftermarket controls. Pretty much just want to have the volume and back next buttons work.

 

[Peter M Jenkins]

When I bought car just had the blank plate in the right spot of steering wheel.

 

[Aspen03]

Ah, makes sense. I've never seen one without buttons. Wasn't sure if you were trying to add a different set of buttons to gain features not originally present.

I'm willing to bet the wiring a the way back to the radio area is missing. The buttons work on a resistance ladder and connections as you know go through the clock spring. It's likely doable but a decent amount of work for just those two features. If you'll have android auto capability the back and next is easy accomplished via voice command. Volume up, not so much.

 

[Peter M Jenkins]

Yes I believe now that it is missing as well from what I am reading. Saw someone ordered a whole steering wheel just to get wiring for this same job but thread is dead cant get exacts. But this is what I ordered and this is what my steering wheel looked like before. Not actually my picture but you can get the idea.

 

[Peter M Jenkins]

https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/retrofit-steering-wheel-controls-xlt.29469/ he states he has done this but no mention of the clockspring. But he used button set with the temp settings at bottom I bought the one with phone button. Not sure how much of a difference that would make though. But his process isnt very clear.