Hi everyone, first time poster that could use some help. I've checked several other posts that were similar but didn't quite help. I am trying to get the steering wheel controls to work with my new entertainment system and I'm told it all comes down to one wire--but which wire, I do not know.

Ok, I have been able to wire the after market harness for my truck and the harness that came with the radio. When they are connected, the Radio works.

My problem is getting the Steering Wheel Controls connected. If you look in the photos provided, when you remove the radio, there's the radio harness on the left, and a 2nd one on the right. None of the Aftermarket harnesses that I looked at has the proper harness for the clip on the right. The one on the right is supposed to have the steering controls for volume and tracking etc. If you click the link above and scroll through their pictures you will see AM harnesses have a different smaller clip that is not compatible with mine. You will also read SEVERAL people saying they went into the steering column and hooked up clock-springs etc. My steering wheel already has controls so I am not trying to do that. I just want to know which wire to connect behind the radio.

I contacted the AM radio company directly. They had someone contact me after reading my specs and they said "Do not do any of the connections from the steering wheel. Figure out which wire to the harness on the right controls the steering controls-- cut that wire, and connect it directly to the Steering labeled wire on the harness that comes with the radio. Then power up, go through the radio menu and sync the buttons. "

On the Left is the Truck's harness clipped into the After Market Harness that is wired to the AM Radio Harness. On the left if the 2nd Harness which was plugged into my OEM Radio and controlled the steerring buttons.

On the Left is the Truck's harness clipped into the After Market Harness that is wired to the AM Radio Harness. On the left if the 2nd Harness which was plugged into my OEM Radio and controlled the steerring buttons.

Close u of the front of the steering harness on the right.

Close up of top view of the harness on the right. Note the color of the wires

Close up of back view of the harness on the right. Note the color of the wires and the pin locations.


So my question is....what wire? No matter what wiring diagram I find, they are all blurry and difficult to read, or do not match 2008 colors. Can any one help? What wire do I cut from the harness on the right and connect to the radio ?

 

Welcome to the site.

Heres the pin out/connector view for the second connector.

 

Thank you for the diagram! Based on what you have shown me, I cannot cut one simple wire from here and run it to the radio as previously recommended. I have not found a simple harness adaptor for this either. It also looks like my harness is wired differently than the diagram.

This super simple radio swap is turning into a nightmare. I've been without AC/Radio during a horrible heatwave. I'ready to just put it back together if no one else has any recommendations.

 

Your vehicle very possibly has a CAN system which is comprised of a series of modules making up a network.
In these systems the factory radio is usually one of the modules in the network.
If for any reason that module function is absent the network can shut down and problems arise,

Suggest you check with your local Ford Dealership Service Dept to verify this potential problem caused by removing the original radio..

We all would appreciate being told what reply you received, thanks.