SOLVED - Clockspring replaced, now no steering controls

[Kapitein]

G'day all.

Today I replaced the clockspring on my 07 LTZ (with steering wheel controls & cruise control).

Replacing the clockspring went perfectly, and I now no longer have an airbag light - fantastic!

What is less fantastic is that I now have non-functioning steering wheel controls. Both left and right.

This is the clockspring I bought: SKP SK525043

- Ive already re-removed the wheel and checked the connections, they look fine.


- Have I bought the correct clockspring?
- Chances of a defective part?
- Is there a fuse I can check for the steering cotrols?
- Any other tips or advice?



Thanks a lot in advance

 

[wjburken]

Put a GM OEM clock spring in there and see if that solves the problem. I know it’s 3x the cost of the SKP part, but it’s been hit and miss for me with SKP stuff.

 

[Kapitein]

Put a GM OEM clock spring in there and see if that solves the problem. I know it’s 3x the cost of the SKP part, but it’s been hit and miss for me with SKP stuff.

Im in Europe so a GM part delivered is about 350USD. Ill do that if I have to, but interested to know if theres anything else I can try first.

 

[Doubeleive]

Im in Europe so a GM part delivered is about 350USD. Ill do that if I have to, but interested to know if theres anything else I can try first.

did you make sure that it was the correct one needed?
for instance if you bought one and it was for a lower trim level say lt and you have a ltz then the controls may not work
if you got the correct one the only thing I can think if is to check if one of the pins is not seated correctly or something of that nature.

 

[Kapitein]

did you make sure that it was the correct one needed?
for instance if you bought one and it was for a lower trim level say lt and you have a ltz then the controls may not work
if you got the correct one the only thing I can think if is to check if one of the pins is not seated correctly or something of that nature.

I ordered the one pictured above. It said for models with cruise control... There were no further distinctions on RockAuto...

All the cables plugged in and it looked the same as the old part.

Thanks

 

[wjburken]

did you make sure that it was the correct one needed?
for instance if you bought one and it was for a lower trim level say lt and you have a ltz then the controls may not work
if you got the correct one the only thing I can think if is to check if one of the pins is not seated correctly or something of that nature.

The one he bought is listed for the LTZ trim on RockAuto but they have been known to be wrong.

 

[Doubeleive]

I ordered the one pictured above. It said for models with cruise control... There were no further distinctions on RockAuto...

All the cables plugged in and it looked the same as the old part.

Thanks

I looked on rockauto website and see what you mean, I would verify the oem part number used. it may be on the old one which makes it quick and easy to verify

 

[Doubeleive]

The one he bought is listed for the LTZ trim on RockAuto but they have been known to be wrong.
View attachment 425468

ya I was just on there looking myself

 

[mikez71]

Plugs aren't swapped around? The photo makes it look like there are two very similar plugs.

 

[Kapitein]

Plugs aren't swapped around? The photo makes it look like there are two very similar plugs.

No, that's not possible. The plugs in the photo are for the airbag.

The steering wheel control plugs are attached to the wheel and plug into the female connector on the clock spring.

 

[mikez71]

- Ive already re-removed the wheel and checked the connections, they look fine.

Doh!

 

[petethepug]

The first thing I thought of was a fuse. I know GM used an inline fuse on 07 & 08 trucks for the heated steering wheel.

Apparently they also used an inline, shrink wrapped fuse on the 05 & 06 trucks. They may have carried this into 07 too.

 

[petethepug]

Did you find any hidden fuses?

 

[Kapitein]

Did you find any hidden fuses?

I didn't have time to take the wheel off again and open the dash yet.....

I did discover one fuse in the drivers side panel for the steering controls backlights.... This fuse was OK.

Will report back when I find the time to delve deeper again

 

[Kapitein]

Have been back through the install today, took everyting to pieces and re-assembled. Good new is I am a clockspring remover Pro now

Still no dice with the steering controls though No breaks in the wiring found, plus no in-line fuses as far as I can see.

So ive bitten the bullet and ordered (the last) OEM GM clockspring from Rockauto. Nearly $300 with taxes and shipping to Europe, so I really hope it works.

Google has led me to find that there are apparently 4 different versions of the clockspring, the only difference being on the pin-outs. I wonder if Ive been sold the wrong one.

Hope to have the GM spring on this weekend, will report back.

 

[petethepug]

Who would of thought this would be an issue. I wonder if it’s a voltage resistance variation between the different part #’s.

 

[Kapitein]

This gets stupider and stupider.

Opened the box for the GM part and the orange retaining clip was broken off. Meaning the clockspring had been free to rotate.

I fitted it anyway hoping that the part would be OK..... it isnt.

Immediate airbag light.

However the steering wheel controls work again! Which confirms the first part as either defective or incorrect.

Ive emailed Rockauto, im hoping they will be helpful.

Im getting annoyed! I can now do a complete clockspring replacement within 25 mins start to finish

 

[petethepug]

This is just bat ship crazy. If you need any other parts from them maybe they’ll ship em for free

 

[Kapitein]

3rd times a charm! Its fixed.

This time I opted for the SMP CSP313.

I now have the GOAT dashbaord back No airbag light and working steering wheel controls. This being the 4th time ive done the clockspring, it took me only 20mins from start to finish

Rockauto agreed to take the first 2 parts back - originally stating that they would deduct almost $100 from the refund for the return shipping! When I argued that fact they said they would provide a full refund.

All is well that ends well.

ADVICE FOR FUTURE READERS - Avoid the cheap SKG part as you run the risk of having an incorrect pin out. The SMP part looked to be just as good as the ACDELCO and was made in Mexico rather than China if that counts for anything.

 

[petethepug]

Rock Auto came through. Good to hear and hopefully they’ll get together with the vendors to demand an update of their compatibility charts.

Call it a win and edit your title to add the word RESOLVED or FIXED.