Can I control my stock HU with girder?

scotty562 · 10-22-2006, 08:30 AM

I have this problem where occasionally my headunit will try to play the radio instead of staying on AUX. To solve this I have to take my bezel off and reach back into my head unit and press the aux button which my fingers and just baaarley reach

.

The point is it's a major pain when it happens.

I know I can send my controls from my steering wheel to my computer, but can I send signals from the computer to controll the head unit? Mapping a key combination that would choose AUX and one for FM radio would be excelent.

I don't need any information displayed, I simply need a simulation of the button being pressed.

My stock headunit which I'm using doesn't have a remote of any sort. The headunit itself is a monsoon headunit in a 2001 SS Camaro.

EQNish · 10-23-2006, 11:19 PM

I actually have a similar question, and not sure really where to start looking...

I was thinking about buy a headunit with an IR remote, then installing an computer based IR immiter to controll the head unit, on th ePC I would run some kind of software that would replicate the functions of the head unit, includinge the display... so you could use your touchscreen to control the head unit.

So basicly, is there any software currently available that would emulate an Head units function (Am/FM(FM1 FM2 FM3),CD (track up/down) volume, freq scan, and preset ...ect!

Is there any software available that would be able to replicate/send the IR signals to the head unit.

I know to search, which is what I was doing when I came accross this

PatO · 10-24-2006, 07:37 PM

Already done. If you have an IR remote, build a receiver (to learn the codes) and use a transmitter to rebroadcast the signals based on buttons you press.
See here:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...ight=ir+remote

EQNish · 10-24-2006, 09:37 PM

Yeah, thats what I'm thinking now....
having an IR emmitter connected to the head unit, which is also connected to the PC, really All I want is to be able to switch the head unit's sources, adn volume control, via my touch screen which would be attached to the PC...

that way I would have a good am/fm sound system, and easy speaker connectivity for the PC by way of the AUX port on the head unit.

anything sound that would come from the PC, would require the sending of the source switch to the head unit.... kinda of like building a componit stereo system in your home, where all the additional componits connect to the reciever/amp system

scotty562 · 10-25-2006, 06:57 PM

This still doesn't address my problem, I don't have any IR anywhere on my head unit. If I take my headunit out I'll have to repalce my amp as well as the head unit. This is what I'm trying to avoid.

PatO · 10-28-2006, 12:05 AM

Stock is Stock. Even if it's an upgrade. You might try searching the web for schematics, but I think you'll ultimately end up replacing the HU. The one thing you have going for you is that you can probably salvage the speakers.

Turbosatan · 10-30-2006, 04:44 PM

use the principle of braking

use a small wire with a rigid outer casing so when you push the wire one end it pokes out the other (you may be able to get this off a bike?)

make sure the spring return etc is attached and glue/solder/tap and screw in the other end to the back of your headunit then place the button somewhere inconspicuous under the dash etc so when you push the button it transfers the force down the wire and pushes the button on the back of your headunit.

if you want to be really daft you could wire it up to a really big red button in the centre console just so everyone who gets in your car say "hey whats that really big red button for" to which you reply "just dont push it" then when they do scream really loud as if self destruct has been turned on or the ejector seat is gonna go off. hehehe

anyway

i dont believe there is anyway to control stock headunits with no remote or feedback using girder or any other software package.

now i have got to here i just had an idea and im not gonna delete that entire post because of it

if you have an external relay controller you could put a simple actuator/servo maybe a power locking control over the aux button on the back of your headunit which is controlled by the pc (read girder) so when its on fm and not aux you click a steering wheel button which tells girder to pass a control message to the usb controlled relay which pushes the button for you.

anyway im drunk and im going to bed

hope this helps

Wiredwrx · 10-30-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by scotty562

I have this problem where occasionally my headunit will try to play the radio instead of staying on AUX. To solve this I have to take my bezel off and reach back into my head unit and press the aux button which my fingers and just baaarley reach

.

The point is it's a major pain when it happens.

I know I can send my controls from my steering wheel to my computer, but can I send signals from the computer to controll the head unit? Mapping a key combination that would choose AUX and one for FM radio would be excelent.

I don't need any information displayed, I simply need a simulation of the button being pressed.

My stock headunit which I'm using doesn't have a remote of any sort. The headunit itself is a monsoon headunit in a 2001 SS Camaro.

Use a USB relay controler card, and then take apart the HU, and solder on wires to the contacts of the switches you need, and then bring them out to the Relay board. Then conostrol them with your carputer, or even, if you want to bypass the carputer, you can just run the wires to some small buttons you mount somewhere, and control it from there.

Michael

scotty562 · 11-07-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Wiredwrx

Use a USB relay controler card, and then take apart the HU, and solder on wires to the contacts of the switches you need, and then bring them out to the Relay board. Then conostrol them with your carputer, or even, if you want to bypass the carputer, you can just run the wires to some small buttons you mount somewhere, and control it from there.

Michael

This sounds like an awesome idea. Do you have any links to more info about this? I know nothing about USB relay controller cards. Of course, I'm eager to learn ^_^.

Edit:

Would this or this work? If so, I would also be able to regain control of my AM/FM radio wooh!

Also, what kind of software would I need? If it's as simple as soldering wires to the buttons that'll be nothing.