Our take on the PAC SWI-X

Installation Note: Click here or call an Advisor at 1-888-955-6000 to see if the SWI-X adapter is compatible with your vehicle.

You want to install a non-factory replacement radio in your vehicle, but you hate to give up the convenience of your factory steering wheel radio controls. PAC's SWI-X interface allows you to connect your steering wheel controls in a wide variety of vehicles to almost any aftermarket stereo with wireless remote capability.

Installation is straightforward — connect a few wires, then program the adapter for your particular car and your stereo, and you'll retain the convenience of your steering wheel controls. The SWI-X uses an infrared beam to communicate with your stereo. Step-by-step LED confirmation makes programming easy. Once connected, the adapter's memory will learn up to 12 functions from your receiver's wireless remote, retaining them even if battery power is interrupted. Dimensions: 3-3/4"W x 1-1/16"H x 1-9/16"D. Warranty: 1 year.

Important Note: You'll want to make sure that your stereo and your vehicle are both compatible. If you have no car audio installation experience, you should consider professional installation. The SWI-X uses an infrared beam to communicate with your stereo's remote eye — check "Hands-on Research" for a list of incompatible remote controls or call an Advisor at 1-888-955-6000 to see if this adapter is compatible with your stereo.

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

Product Research

What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

Steering wheel radio control interface with attached 46" IR cable
23" Wiring harness
One 47 ohm resistor
One 150 ohm resistor
One 560 ohm resistor
One 1000 ohm resistor
One 1500 ohm resistor
Installation Instructions
Vehicle Wire Color and Pin Location sheet
Resistor kit sheet

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Features

Compatibility: The SWI-X interface allows you to retain the use of your steering wheel radio controls when replacing the factory head unit with an aftermarket radio with IR remote control in select GMC, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Cadillac, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Acura, Honda, Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Range Rover, Saab, Volkswagen and Harley Davidson vehicles. The interface allows you to use the radio controls in compatible vehicles to command most aftermarket radios with wireless remote capability. The SWI-X interface will only work with infrared remotes that use a 38-40kHz carrier frequency.

Incompatible Remote Models: The SWI-X interface in known to be incompatible with the JVC RM-RK230 remote (included with the JVC KD-AVX1 and KD-DV5100 head units), the JVC RM-RK240 remote (included with KD-AVX2), RM-RK241, and RM-RK250, and the Sony RM-X110, RM-X112, RM-X131, RM-X143A, and RM-X145A infrared remotes.

Easily Programmable: The SWI-X is easily programmed or reprogrammed using the factory controls and the head unit's remote control. During programming, step-by-step LED confirmation will guide you. Once connected, the SWI-X's memory will learn up to 12 functions from your receiver's wireless remote, retaining them even if battery power is interrupted.

Resistor Kit: Some vehicles have a separate wire for each of the steering wheel buttons. Use the resistor kit for steering wheel push buttons that do not already have a resistor network connected to them. The resistor kit includes the following resistors:

47 Ohms (yellow, purple, black, and gold bands)
150 Ohms (brown, green, brown, and gold bands)
560 Ohms (green, blue, brown, and gold bands)
1000 Ohms (brown, black, red, and gold bands)
1500 Ohms (brown, green, red, and gold bands)

Review this product

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences about this product. Please be sure to focus your comments on the product itself. Read our Review Guidelines for more information.

Review title

* Email * Please include your email* Please enter a valid email address.

Your email won't be visible

Display name

(e.g., JohnD) Your review will be signed using the display name and location

* Your location * Please include your location

(e.g., Charlottesville, VA)

* Your rating * Please select a rating

Click on a star to rate the overall product on a scale of 1-5

1500 characters left * Your review * Please write your review

Attach a YouTube Review

Crutchfield Video Review Guidelines

Only submit videos that you made or are authorized to use.
Do not submit videos that contain music, video or visuals that are copyrighted and belong to someone else.
Please see our Review Guidelines for more information.

Submit the URL of your YouTube™ video review or product demonstration. e.g., http://www.youtube.com/v/o79TWHh598U

500 characters left Pros

500 characters left Cons

* Agree to Terms
By checking this box you agree your review becomes the property of Crutchfield, that you are over 18 years of age, that you own or have owned this product, and that you are located within the United States or its territories. Please see our Review Guidelines for more information. We reserve the right (but are not obligated to) review all submissions and edit or remove any review in any manner which we deem necessary. Your review should be posted within seven days.

Submit

Share this product

1-10 of 33 items >> Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness

1 out of 5

Poor Product

Written By J, Youngstown, OH on Thursday, September 29, 2011

I have installed an aftermarket stereo before and had little trouble until I purchased this item. I ultimately had to take this item to a professional to install, who refused to install this particular type of unit due to functionality problems and user complaints.