So, when I bought my S, it came with a Sony XPlod head unit. To my surprise, the volume on the stock radio controls to the left of the steering wheel still worked. After a little bit of visual research, I noticed an iR emitter mounted just below the iR receiver on the deck. I moved this emitter away from the deck, and the volume button to the left of the steering wheel no longer worked. So, someone has installed some kind of converter to send the signal to the radio. Unfortunately I haven't pulled apart the dash yet to see what's creating that signal (which would be very usual in diagnosing), but have any of you heard of this method.. and do you think the other buttons (mode, mute, ch) would be programmable for use?

Appreciate it.

 

I have the same unit on my Alpine.

Mine is made by Modifry (site sponser www.modifry.com) and it is called a DCI

DCI = Dash Control Interface.

Better put that IR emitter back