Steering wheel bulbs, why did GM do this?

[spgtti72]

Just got done replacing a couple of bulbs on the fuel/mileage switches on my steering wheel. Thanks to the other posts here I got it and it was easy to solder the new bulbs in....

But who @ GM came up with the length of the wires which run to the switch? If they had added 1/2" this would have been cake. I pulled the switch out of the front of the wheel without pulling the airbag but also broke the lock on both sides of the connector as the switch would only come 3/4's of the way out because of the short wiring.

The reinstall was worse even with the airbag removed. It took fishing around with a small screwdiver inside the recess that the switch fits into, to get the connector back into the switch.

Anyone else have similar issues or is there something I'm missing here. I don't really see any way to release the connector on the back side of the switch from inside the steering wheel as there's barely enough room to fit a screwdriver in there.

 

[91RS]

The way it's designed to be take apart is by taking the steering wheel off and taking off the black plastic cover from the back side and unplugging the wiring from the back.

 

[JochenWoern]

The way it's designed to be take apart is by taking the steering wheel off and taking off the black plastic cover from the back side and unplugging the wiring from the back.

So how EASY/DIFFICULT is it to change the complete switch out without doing any soldering?

I have two switches with the bulb being out, and I was just going to exchange the complete switches. But I do NOT want to have to take the steering wheel off, was hoping to be able to pull the switch out from the front.

Is that easy to do or will as well cause headaches?

Thanks.

 

[91RS]

Easy and difficult are relative terms though, there all easy for me because I've done quite a few of them. However, for your first time they'd probably be faily difficult. It can be done without taking the steering wheel off, but I would recommend taking it off. There've been times I've pulled a terminal out of the connector and ended up having to take the steering wheel off anyway.

The best thing you can do for your dash lights is turn the panel dimmer down to about half way.

 

[spgtti72]

The way it's designed to be take apart is by taking the steering wheel off and taking off the black plastic cover from the back side and unplugging the wiring from the back.

This^...would make sense. Pulling the switch out from the front is difficult as the wiring isn't long enough and the connector snaps together. You'd have to be skilled or lucky not to break something. Reconnecting it is even worse. I'll pull the wheel next time.

 

[jason78]

I was able to do the top two switches with little frustration but I ended up taking it do the dealer and having them do the bottom two. I am not sure what they did to get them in but the technicians were not happy about it. 1/2 inch more on the harness would have eliminated this problem.

I found that rather than trying to "pry" the switch out of the hole with a small screwdriver as some recommend, it was easier to use a pair of small pliers to grab the plastic "fin" that separates the two buttons to pull them out. The fin gets marred up but it didn't matter to me because I was replacing the switches.

 

[JochenWoern]

I was able to do the top two switches with little frustration but I ended up taking it do the dealer and having them do the bottom two. I am not sure what they did to get them in but the technicians were not happy about it. 1/2 inch more on the harness would have eliminated this problem.

I found that rather than trying to "pry" the switch out of the hole with a small screwdriver as some recommend, it was easier to use a pair of small pliers to grab the plastic "fin" that separates the two buttons to pull them out. The fin gets marred up but it didn't matter to me because I was replacing the switches.

So if I read this correctly, DON'T do it unless you pull the wheel off?????? Mine are both on the bottom.

 

[91RS]

The bottom ones are more difficult. As I said, I would pull the steering wheel off.

 

[JochenWoern]

The bottom ones are more difficult. As I said, I would pull the steering wheel off.

Thanks very much.

 

[91RS]

I need to make a slight correction after I just had a look at a steering wheel I have. The buttons cannot be unplugged from the back side. However, the steering wheel still needs to come off, then take the plastic trim off the back held on with two torx screws, then take the wiring harness connector loose from it's mount, and then you can pull the connector around to the back of the steering wheel and give the wiring to the switches plenty of extra slack.

 

[spgtti72]

On the bottom switches I don't see any way to get the switches out far enough to get to the connector...you will break the tab off the back of the switch while pulling it out of the wheel. Not knowing I could pull the wheel and grab some more slack, it took me 45min. to get the connector back on the back side of the switch while fishing it on with a screwdriver.

Breaking the switch apart and soldering the new bulbs in was easy, and I've never done anything with a soldering gun more than put wires together.

 

[jason78]

I need to make a slight correction after I just had a look at a steering wheel I have. The buttons cannot be unplugged from the back side. However, the steering wheel still needs to come off, then take the plastic trim off the back held on with two torx screws, then take the wiring harness connector loose from it's mount, and then you can pull the connector around to the back of the steering wheel and give the wiring to the switches plenty of extra slack.

It sounds like you are talking about a NNBS Steering Wheel. Most of the comments here have been about the NBS Wheel. What year and model are you referring to?

 

[91RS]

It sounds like you are talking about a NNBS Steering Wheel. Most of the comments here have been about the NBS Wheel. What year and model are you referring to?

NBS. NNBS wheels don't have to come off to change the buttons.

 

[ScottyBoy]

91RS is correct. if you do completely remove the NBS wheel, you can give the switches a bit more slack, making it much easier to re-install the lower switches.
However, it is possible to re-install them without removing the wheel. But it takes some skill, and a pair of long right andled needle nose pliers.

 

[bsul92]

Replacing the steering wheel lights just might of been the worst experience of my life. The top two came out without even disassembling the wheel. The bottom two weren't so cooperative.

 

[JochenWoern]

Replacing the steering wheel lights just might of been the worst experience of my life. The top two came out without even disassembling the wheel. The bottom two weren't so cooperative.

Guess mine will stay NOT illuminated, as I am for sure not up for the challenge and/or the headache.

 

[bsul92]

Guess mine will stay NOT illuminated, as I am for sure not up for the challenge and/or the headache.

Yea honestly, i dont blame you. and even after replacing mine, Two have already popped.

 

[JochenWoern]

Yea honestly, i dont blame you. and even after replacing mine, Two have already popped.

That's too bad. Sorry.

 

[ktmhans]

Hmm,
I have to say i have replaced both bottom switches on my 04 was it a pita yes, but not different from anything else i have done on this truck. Little patience and a pair of harbor freight hemostats. Less then 5 min.
No fat fingers allowed. LoL

 

[JochenWoern]

Hmm,
I have to say i have replaced both bottom switches on my 04 was it a pita yes, but not different from anything else i have done on this truck. Little patience and a pair of harbor freight hemostats. Less then 5 min.
No fat fingers allowed. LoL

What is a "hemostat"????

KTMHans, are you Austrian???? If so, where from?