Install guide

Section 3 Multifunction Steering Wheel

This section will describe how to change the multifunction steering wheel (MFSW) control unit to

regain the use of the steering wheel controls with the RNS-E. These instructions are specific to

vehicles with existing multifunction (audio/telephone) buttons on the steering wheel. The new

installation of a MFSW into a vehicle with a regular steering wheel is far more complicated than the

instructions given in this document.

The existing MFSW in the vehicle will work with the RNS-E, but the control unit must be changed.

The MFSW uses an internal and external control unit. The internal unit (inside the steering wheel)

reads in the actual button presses. It communicates the button data over a single data wire to the

external control unit. The external module receives the data and relays it to the CANbus network. It

also gathers data about interior illumination (for button lights), and ignition status (off or on) and

relays that data over the same single data wire back to the internal control module for its use.

The external control unit is the one that must be replaced. This is because the existing control unit

that operates with the Symphony I radio does not communicate via the CANbus language.

Section 1 must be completed for this installation to operate properly.

Look for a separate document to be available in the future on www.nsxjr.com

covering the topic of retrofitting

MFSW into vehicles originally equipped regular steering wheels.

3.1 MFSW Control Unit Installation

Remove the driver’s side knee panel as discussed in Section 1.1. Look up into the foot well behind the

fuse box and find the control unit, probably with the number 608 on the top. It will be on the middle

row, far left side. Pull the 608 unit out and install the new 616 unit in its place. There is no rewiring to

be done because the correct pins in the relay socket have been properly reassigned to the CANbus

network based on the wiring already performed in Section 1. Reinstall the knee panel.

Special thanks to Eric C. of Boston for donating his 6I6 control unit for my installation.