I’ve bought a reasonable Chinese head unit, everything works as it should apart from the steering wheel buttons (Volume +/- only works okay).
I have an Alfa Romeo Brera with Blue & Me (not that it should make a difference), the cable harness supplied has Key 1 wire connected but not Key 2 wire - Do I need to connect Key 2 somewhere......Where?
How do I get these steering wheel buttons to work?
It is not the case that I need to buy a connect2 harness as the one supplied should do the job.......:rofl::devious::grumpy::grumpy:
Have you gone into the factory settings on the unit, password is(normally) 126. From there select canbus tab (iirc) and select alfa romeo from The drop down list of cars. Select apply and exit. Hu should reset and fingers crossed the controls should work.
I did do this, the unit rebooted and then nothing worked not even the volume buttons?
The selection I think said something like Alfa Romeo Bangoo (which happens to be the box fitted) Still did **** all.....
I’m baffled :grumpy:
UPDATE: I now have +/- volume working and the Fwd & Back buttons on the other side but none of the telephone ones???
If I remember correctly the key wires on head unit harness go to key wires on the patch lead from steering wheel adaptor box.
Key1,key2 and ground. Mine uses the jack plug option but if I remember correctly both key wires need connecting to enable all buttons except mute to work on steering wheel controls.
What wiring kit did you get with your set up,can you post a pic/link?
Glad you've got most of the buttons working. Can't really help with the phone buttons. The call buttons on mine don't work either, however since I didn't have b&m factory fitted i didn't use them anyway. So I just use the on screen buttons for calls.
I am told that all I need to do is connect the Key2 wire from the head unit harness to the other steering wheel control wire - Where on earth will that be on the plug?
I’m going to have another go tomorrow, I need to find another brown wire allegedly?
The one I bought is in the link above but I did go for their all singing all dancing one with DPS, DAB & Rearview camera - yes I would recommend it as it does everything you want plus some.
Easy install except for this little problem but I’m sure I’ll sort this out shortly :rofl:
I may buy their DVR as well for the front?
Once you have HU out again hopefully you can tell which one is K2 on the interface,the Chinese HU I tried had all the loom colour coded so would like to think yours would too.
Have you done any other mods or using the feed to something else, or even connected another wire to it that’s still live?
If the ignition is switched off then no power should go to the head unit so it to should shut down, what is keeping the live side live?
Mine turns off and and at start up comes up with the Alfa logo and turns back on, it has never stayed on after turning off ignition, have you inadvertently change something in settings (from factory setting page using access code)?
You need to investigate the settings page, something has changed or you have a permanent feed to the head unit?
Thats the thing, I havent changed anything, just plug and play, maybe canbus adaptor is defected, I dont know ? and how is it even possible that after first engine start and turn off there are no permanent feed and after second it is
I'd like to get the same unit as you - I have a question though if you don't mind?
If you are playing a music track (from a mem stick for example) and switch off, does it automatically resume again at the same place in the track when you restart? I listen to a lot of talking books in the car and I don't want to have to search for where I left off every time!
Music it does couldn’t say about audio books but I suppose similar principles apply?
If I stop it half way though a track, it continues from where it was stopped.
Topic - thanks for the reply. The Aliexpress people are having a problem in finding England at the moment and the web site was a bit of a nightmare but hopefully things may be appearing at my door soon!
maiod86 - I suspect I will be asking you loads of questions later, like what is a 'Resolution Changer'? Is it a software program to load into the unit? I'll look for some XDA forums too.
No problem. Yeh it's just an app and I've set it to run at startup. Apart from installing the new Rom (look up hal9k px5 Oreo) It has just been a case of setting it up to my liking. As a personal preference I picked more of a car style home screen (car launcher AGAMA). The centre where the badge is can be set to show a few different things, such as album art of current track, next instruction on supported sat navs, compass etc. All the buttons are fully customisable too.
The only issue I've encountered is that TomTom only works in 2D map view, but that's fine for me.
I forgot that the LED’s come on when you switch your lights on!
For some reason today, I’ve lost my Bluetooth but it has been at the garage for almost a month so it may need resetting somewhere?
I used my stock radio 159 every day.....but once every 6 weeks or so it likes to forget the Bluetooth link to my phone and most times I need to reload all my contacts back into the Blue & Me after I pair the phone...….only takes a couple of minutes to do though. My car does not break down or have anything wrong with it at the moment (touches wooden desk) so I think it does the phone thing just to let me know its watching and to keep me on my toes!!! Just renewed my AA membership though....just in case!
I may not be getting my new toy as they are now telling me that I have my own address wrong. Who'd have thought, I've only been there 24 years! They have adviced me to check with my local Post Office....
They’ve just sent me an update to do with the Bluetooth connectivity, now and again it just wouldn’t connect without doing a factory reset.
The new update seems to have sorted it out arty:
Not a bad customer service they have tbf even though it’s a cheaper Chinese import, it’s bloody good service.
It's on its way by TNT! Can't see the delivery address yet. I'm now less worried about getting it than I am about getting it fitted to be honest! The supplier has suggested that I get it installed professionally as previous purchasers have made a mess of it! My days of doing anything with cars has long gone but I will give it a go if only to get rid of the heap of nonsense that is the fitted radio and the Blue and Me bodge. No doubt I will join the long list of people asking why this and that doesn't work!
Fingers crossed then. They say that to everyone about the fitting. Don't worry if you've ever changed a stereo before it's no different. If you have blue & me you need to leave it plugged in, but the unit means it's a snug fit with all the extra wires to fit in. Mine actually sticks out a couple of mm but is secure and looks fine.
Your mileometer will constantly flash if you remove the blue and me, When they fitted my Apple Play last week they initially unplugged it and found out the hard way despite me telling them when I booked it in!
You need the blue & me left plugged in, the head unit is a snug fit but just ensure you make room/space for the various plugs and connectors.
I managed to hoof mine all down the left hand side (more space) but the headunit did click in place nice and flush.
It’s just a case of arranging the cables before you put it in place, I found the easiest way was to unclip the blue & me unit and pull it out of the cage, feed both back in together slowly and arrange the looms as you go. It’s a bit of a ball ache but doable.
I've read that losing the Blue & Me Unit will cause an alert by flashing the odometer display, but really it should be possible to program that out. What else does Blue & Me do that is necessary I wonder? I hate leaving redundant stuff behind especially as it might interfere with the new head units functions!
I think that the older Android version is on the more powerful processor, possibly the newer Android can't handle the later processors! Don't quote me though!
Just preform a proxy alignment after it's all back together...that will stop the flashing....its caused when any canbus item is disconnected then the ignition is turned on (sometimes even without turning the ignition on) ........sorted.
Whoo Hoo - It's arrived. Not much in the way of installation instructions though!
I don't have a manual for the car so I'm going to need some help in finding 12V in the boot for the rear camera and some idea where people have mounted the DVR + Camera.
If you've done any of this could you put up some pics please?
I preferred not to cut any wires (to get power from the reverse light) so I used a piggy back fuse to get power from the fuse box in the boot instead.
Just means that the camera is always powered on ignition, so if the camera has LEDs they stay on even when not in reverse.
When I get the courage to mess with the existing wires I might sort it out. I removed the plastic trim in the boot to help hide wires away before replacing, and earthed on one of the bolts on the boot latch.
You can buy direct number plate light replacements with rear view camera built in for around £10.00, personally I did not fit their standard screw on camera (a bit naff).
I also went for the wireless option and just picked up the live from the reversing light - Works a treat.
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