Anyone ever used steering wheel buttons for gearshift?
11-08-2008, 12:07 PM
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None of the buttons in the car are simple on off buttons. They are all connected to ECUs which inject a message on to the CAN bus for the receiving ECU to read them and react. Same with the buttons on the steering wheel - they are actually connected to an ECU that are generating signals.
However its possible (in theory) to slice the switch contact cables and then wire them to the gear shift cables. A similar method is used for the paddle retrofit. However getting to the switch contacts on the steering wheel is not going to be easy or elegant and is going to involve some wires cut.
A better idea would be to invest in a CAN interface like the one used for the Parrot handfree kits. These kits are plug and play and read the steering wheel button signals and convert them to analogue signals which can then be used to switch the gear shift switches.
However its possible (in theory) to slice the switch contact cables and then wire them to the gear shift cables. A similar method is used for the paddle retrofit. However getting to the switch contacts on the steering wheel is not going to be easy or elegant and is going to involve some wires cut.
A better idea would be to invest in a CAN interface like the one used for the Parrot handfree kits. These kits are plug and play and read the steering wheel button signals and convert them to analogue signals which can then be used to switch the gear shift switches.
11-08-2008, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by bruce_miranda' post='715953' date='Nov 8 2008, 10:07 PM
A better idea would be to invest in a CAN interface like the one used for the Parrot handfree kits. These kits are plug and play and read the steering wheel button signals and convert them to analogue signals which can then be used to switch the gear shift switches.
...hoping there's one of those inventive types on here that knows how to take that to the next stage...
11-08-2008, 02:00 PM
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stupid
11-08-2008, 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by DD_545i' post='715964' date='Nov 8 2008, 09:22 PM
That sounds promising.
...hoping there's one of those inventive types on here that knows how to take that to the next stage...
...hoping there's one of those inventive types on here that knows how to take that to the next stage...
11-08-2008, 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by bruce_miranda' post='715998' date='Nov 8 2008, 07:34 PM
I would have tried this but I don't have an automatic!
Its a shame that you wont be able to try this one out.
oh well, lets hope someone else will try to think of a way to do it.Anyways, thanks for lifting our hopes up
totaly appreciate it BRUCE
11-08-2008, 04:12 PM
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I'd rather just retrofit some sport paddle shifters....
11-08-2008, 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by GENEaTALS' post='716030' date='Nov 9 2008, 02:12 AM
I'd rather just retrofit some sport paddle shifters....
11-09-2008, 12:35 AM
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Originally Posted by DD_545i' post='716231' date='Nov 9 2008, 12:08 AM
Roughly how much would they cost, and how much expertise required to fit?
Members My530i and andy545 have done it....http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry608328
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=27130&hl=
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=46814&st=0