This isn't a question, but more of a solution for those that ran into the same issue as me. I searched online and on these forums and it appears others have had this issue but nobody updated on how they got it resolved. So I will put this here, hopefully it helps somebody in the future and they don't have to spend time searching far.

Today's topic is using the Metra Electronics Axxess ASWC-1 universal steering wheel control kit, with an aftermarket headunit, to retain factory steering wheel controls. Truth be told my 2008 never had SWC, I had to add that in from a Ralliart I'm parting out and relocate the AYC/ACD switch to the center console. But anyways let's assume you have factory steering wheel controls and are planning to use them with an aftermarket headunit and you picked up this Axxess ASWC1...

The problem I had, after wiring it correctly and letting it "auto-detect" as per instructions.... It detected the Pioneer headunit (I have the AppRadio 4, SPH-DA120) but the buttons would not all work. And they were incorrect. Volume up worked as volume up, and Track up was volume down.... Volume down, Track down, or Mode did absolutely nothing. The ASWC1 manual states that if this is the case and you own a Pioneer headunit, to unplug and plug the cable going into the back of the deck 5-6 times and try again. Save yourself this trouble and save resetting and trying a million things. Just manually program it. They have a video on their site on how to do this. That way you program the factory steering wheel buttons manually, and everything will work. It's not too difficult to do, the instructions in their video are pretty clear.

Otherwise it is amazing to have steering wheel controls on my 2008. They work great and super fast, no delay or lag at all.

Hopefully this helps somebody out, good luck.

 

you may have forgotten to mention the harness, can you mention you color wires? did u had Rockford before?

 

I didn’t mention anything about the harness because there was no issues with the wiring or instructions. That was the easy part. I just followed the ASWC1 instructions for a 2008+ lancer online and it worked. I added a couple pins to my aftermarket radio harness to run the ASWC1 because I don’t like hacking and splicing into factory wires so that’s the only thing I did different.

The issues I had was basically with the programming of the unit, not wiring.

my car was never a RF car. It’s a base 2008 gsr. I added RF speakers and tweeters, steering wheel controls, heated Recaros, leather door inserts and arm rest, and the OEM projector headlights with level switches. Having a fully loaded Ralliart to partout helped with all of that