Intermittent Steering Controls - Rotary Coupler or Switches?

SpaceAce · 6th August 2018, 20:08

After fitting a new ICE in my 2001 75 I'm finding that the SWC volume control is very intermittent, the mode and next track buttons are occasionally intermittent but work most of the time and the cruise controls are fine all the time.

This says to me that it is more likely a worn out volume micro switch (used most often probably?) than the rotary coupler.

Does anyone have a view please?

Or a low mileage set of controls (inc. Cruise ) for sale?

Cheers

neilbaker86 · 7th August 2018, 01:15

Do you find that they don't work at all? Or just give you the wrong functions (i.e Vol+ becoming Track+)?

Heddy · 7th August 2018, 05:59

This happens to me too. You'll set them up and then a few days later the +vol will turn down the sound as well as the -vol. The power off won't work and stuff like that. While the controls are playing up, a reset won't work, the buttons won't respond to the input. In a couple of days they'll respond and you can set the controls up again. This is on my 04 (Facelift) same thing happened with my Y reg too. Dunno if the switches are sealed but gonna take a look at them. All ideas welcome.

neilbaker86 · 7th August 2018, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heddy

This happens to me too. You'll set them up and then a few days later the +vol will turn down the sound as well as the -vol. The power off won't work and stuff like that. While the controls are playing up, a reset won't work, the buttons won't respond to the input. In a couple of days they'll respond and you can set the controls up again. This is on my 04 (Facelift) same thing happened with my Y reg too. Dunno if the switches are sealed but gonna take a look at them. All ideas welcome.

When you say 'set them up', does your radio have a learning function for the steering wheel controls?

SpaceAce · 7th August 2018, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilbaker86

Do you find that they don't work at all? Or just give you the wrong functions (i.e Vol+ becoming Track+)?

They are all set up ok on the head unit. They work fine with the correct functions then not. Worst offender is the volume control, so I suspect worn out micro switch as this is the one you would use most....but not sure tbh

neilbaker86 · 7th August 2018, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpaceAce

They are all set up ok on the head unit. They work fine with the correct functions then not. Worst offender is the volume control, so I suspect worn out micro switch as this is the one you would use most....but not sure tbh

Yes, the problem is the switches work through a resistance network (analogue signal), so as the contacts tarnish on the switches the resistance changes and therefore the microcontroller thinks you've pushed something else. Even with new switches you can get this problem as you make (or break) the contact on the switch - if it isn't a clean on/off action the resistance can vary enough to again confuse the micro.

I have a project in the works that will solve this problem permanently, and give you some other features which I suspect (and hope) you and many others will be interested in. A prototype is being produced as we speak, so you may want to hang on for a few weeks...

Heddy · 8th August 2018, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilbaker86

When you say 'set them up', does your radio have a learning function for the steering wheel controls?

Yes, there's a dedicated icon on the settings screen. You highlight the function, press the button you want to allocate to it and it goes grey, then exit the screen.

Heddy · 9th August 2018, 12:59

Do or die (and I aint suggesting you do this) Pulled mine apart and sprayed liberally with WD. Wiped as dry as possible with a tissue and put it all back. So far so good, there's a positive click as the buttons depress which wasn't there before. If they dry out fully and fail again, I'll have a re-think.

6th August 2018, 20:08	#1
SpaceAce Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Belper, Derbyshire Posts: 82 Thanks: 7 Thanked 33 Times in 7 Posts	Intermittent Steering Controls - Rotary Coupler or Switches? After fitting a new ICE in my 2001 75 I'm finding that the SWC volume control is very intermittent, the mode and next track buttons are occasionally intermittent but work most of the time and the cruise controls are fine all the time. This says to me that it is more likely a worn out volume micro switch (used most often probably?) than the rotary coupler. Does anyone have a view please? Or a low mileage set of controls (inc. Cruise ) for sale? Cheers __________________ ----- Dave Last edited by SpaceAce; 6th August 2018 at 20:12..

7th August 2018, 01:15	#2
neilbaker86 Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oxford Posts: 847 Thanks: 124 Thanked 312 Times in 147 Posts	Do you find that they don't work at all? Or just give you the wrong functions (i.e Vol+ becoming Track+)? Last edited by neilbaker86; 7th August 2018 at 01:29..

7th August 2018, 05:59	#3
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	This happens to me too. You'll set them up and then a few days later the +vol will turn down the sound as well as the -vol. The power off won't work and stuff like that. While the controls are playing up, a reset won't work, the buttons won't respond to the input. In a couple of days they'll respond and you can set the controls up again. This is on my 04 (Facelift) same thing happened with my Y reg too. Dunno if the switches are sealed but gonna take a look at them. All ideas welcome.

9th August 2018, 12:59	#8
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Do or die (and I aint suggesting you do this) Pulled mine apart and sprayed liberally with WD. Wiped as dry as possible with a tissue and put it all back. So far so good, there's a positive click as the buttons depress which wasn't there before. If they dry out fully and fail again, I'll have a re-think.