After lots of reading I have decided to add steering wheel controls for the stereo. I only found one post where it says that a new clockspring is required for this install since my 2003 Sequoia didn't come from the factory with audio controls. Anyone know for sure if a new clockspring is necessary? How easy is that thing to replace if required? May not be worth the effort but all the other posts never mentioned this. They said just plug and play. Thanks

No clock spring needed. Mine didn't come with Steering control but I just bought buttons from another tundra and mount it in. Everything is prewired on the tundra. Sequoia is same I think.

Just what I wanted to hear. The Axxess appears very easy to install and with their 70-8114 adapter a few connected wires and your done. The switches come this week so will complete the install this weekend. Hardest part seems to be cutting the airbag cover for the new switches. I wasn't able to confirm that the airbag itself can be transferred to new airbag cover. Most said that it is glued in place and isn't removable. Looking forward to this weekend.

Any update on this?

Any update on this?


For those considering the install of the Axxess Steering Wheel Control here is a brief write up for my 2003 Sequoia with JBL and no stock steering wheel controls. These are the procedures I used but yours may be different. Also note that this can be potentially dangerous and you do this at your own risk. I recommend a professional install if you are a novice.

On the back of my JBL radio there were 2 wire harness plugs. One of the plugs has 3 wires…. Brown/white, Light green/red and gray w/red. These are the wires that are used to connect the Axxess control unit and are the audio controls for the Sequoia. I believe many vehicles have these but the wiring colors may be different. Check out the wiring diagram for your Toyota to be sure. Of course your headunit must have the capability of audio control.

I found that there is only one clockspring for the Sequoia. I purchased the steering wheel controls from a Toyota dealer. You need both the left and right and also 2 mounting screws. You also need a new airbag cover designed for the steering wheel controls (or you can cut your stock one). Now here is where I would do it differently. To save money I purchased an airbag COVER. In hindsight this was a costly mistake. First moving the original airbag assembly to the new cover was a little scary. Lots of prying and manipulation to remove the bladder. I basically destroyed my original cover so wasn’t able to sell it. If I had known this I would have purchased a complete airbag cover and assembly and then resold mine on eBay.

To avoid any potential airbag explosion disconnect the battery and remove the fuse for the airbag for 15 minutes. I also stepped on the brake to remove any static electricity. Remove the small covers on the side of the steering wheel. You will see two torx screws that hold the airbag assembly. The screws are locked in so they won’t fall out. Once removed the airbag comes right out. There are 2 wires on the airbag that need to be removed. The middle plug has a popup type clip.

Install your new audio control switches. Plug the new wires in the clockspring and the cruise control harness into the audio control harness. Pretty self explanatory when you see it. Make sure to route the wires in the clips to avoid any tangling. Reinstall the airbag and plug the wires back in. Be sure the middle plugs popup clip is pushed down or your airbag light will stay on. Tighten the screws and replace the side covers.

Pull out the radio and look for the plug with 3 wires. Connect the Axxess control unit wires to the headunit as described on the Axxess website for your vehicle. The Axxess unit is really simple to install and programs itself automatically. I highly recommend it and the guys at Axxess are really helpful too. Once you are wired up put the airbag fuse back in and reconnect the battery cable. Follow the directions on setting up the Axxess. Once everything is working reinstall the radio and enjoy.

Im confused here. You say that you had the factory JBL system but it didnt come with SWC's from the factory? I was almost dead certain that all vehicles with JBL had the SWC's.

Either way I do not have factory JBL so I have the straight 70-1761 style harness behind the radio and nothing more. They look like this.
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So where Im confused is that you say theres no need to replace the clockspring because the SWC's plug right into it but on a vehicle like mine with no wires behind the radio, does everything just stop at the clockspring? Is there some sort of control module that the wires leaving the clockspring run into?

Im super familiar with the axxess piece as I use it almost daily but what Im trying to get at here is that if theres nothing to hook the axxess piece to, where do I go from there.

No steering wheel controls on my JBL 6-disc changer. I had to add them. Most of the write ups I found were for the Tundra so here are a few links.

The Axxess website listing the colors for connection is here:

Axxess Interface - Steering Wheel Control (http://www.axxessinterface.com/steering_wheel_control_new.aspx)

A write up on the Tundra install is here. Different than the Sequoia but it should help.

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/audio-and-stereo/164603-add-steering-wheel-audio-controls-diy/

A wiring diagram for the Tundra is here:

2004 to 2006 Toyota OEM Repair Manuals (http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/04-06-Tundra/local%20files/wiring.html)

Here is a picture of the clockspring and the conncetions:

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