I have an '02 Dakota SXT, which I inherited from my recently deceased father. He was the original purchaser, and he took pretty decent care of it, so it's worth me putting some effort into. He didn't however get any real optional equipment on it - no power windows or locks, for example - just A/C.


Recently, I installed a Sony radio in it (along with a JBL powered sub and four new Infinity speakers). Since I'm ****/OCD about not wanting to mess the faceplate of the new radio up by constantly pushing buttons on it (it came with a remote, but it's kinda small and a bit difficult to use), I wanted to add the factory steering wheel control (SWC) buttons for the radio, so I got some from a junkyard (from a '00 Durango) and installed them on my truck. They don't seem to be working, however, and I'm 99.9% certain this is because my truck has a "base" CTM (the CTM controls the stereo control buttons on the steering wheel by taking input from them and passing it along the PCI bus to the radio), which doesn't support SWC switches, and I need a "highline" CTM from somewhere, which would need to be configured to enable that option.


Assuming I can find a Dodge/Chrysler dealer that still has a DRB III scan tool, is it...


A. Possible to replace a "base" CTM with a "highline" CTM?


B. Have a "highline" CTM reflashed for my VIN, yet have the steering wheel radio control button functionality enabled?


C. Install a "highline" CTM from a vehicle that had steering wheel controls, and just use it as-is, without reflashing? Would that cause me issues?


I do need to verify that the RD/BK and BK/LG wires are present in the steering column (they run from the clockspring to the CTM, and are for the steering wheel control buttons for the radio). I'm guessing they're there, but I haven't had a chance to go outside and look - been too damn cold, lately!


Thanks.

 

yes, this should be do-able. It actually might be easier to look online at the module refurbishers, and see if you can find a highline module that the vendor can pre-program. Very, very few dealers still have a DRB3, and those that do, it is probably collecting dust in a closet or locker that only the eldermost senior tech knows about.

All column harnesses are the same and the wires should be present. you'll just need the correct adapter from the PCI line to the head unit's remote input port.

 

I've looked into this before on newer trucks, I wanted to add to my 06. I believe you can just by pass the CTM all together, you should be able to buy one of those hands free converters for radio controls and just run the RD/BK directly into that and it'll broadcast controls to the radio.

Check out this post, it was my main guideline to use, I ended up buying my 4th gen and kind of canned the idea. If I end up keep my 06 I might look into it again this summer. The button control system remains unchanged until the 4th gen body came out I believe and possibly stayed in place until 12'

 

Actually, your statement that all column harnesses are the same appears to be incorrect - my Dakota SXT lacks the RD/BK wire for the steering wheel radio remote control switches. The gray connector at the Central Timer module has pin 12, where the RD/BK wire should be, vacant. And, the C1 (white) connector at the clockspring has pin 1, where the RD/BK wire should be, also vacant. So, the positive/signal wire (RD/BK) doesn't exist on my truck. The ground wire (BK/LG) DOES exist, as there are other things (I believe) that are also grounded through it.

I'm thinking my only hope now is to physically add a wire to pin 1 on the clockspring C1 (white) connector, and splice it to the steering wheel remote switches interface/controller for aftermarket radios I have. This is actually the second interface for steering wheel remote switches I bought; it's a PAC Audio SWI-CP2 unit. The first, an Axxess ASWC-1, looks for the signal only from the PCI data bus network, which can't ever exist on my truck, as I lack the RD/BK wire from the clockspring to the Central Timer Module. The PAC Audio unit can be manually programmed to accept inputs directly from the switches themselves.

 

Well today we've learned. interesting!