Thread: Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls?

Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1 Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Benton Harbor, MI
    Posts
    18
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    I have a 2005 GP that did not come with factory radio controls, and I thought that it might be something cool to add. I bought the controls off of Ebay and figured I'd just pop the airbag cover and plug them in. However, when I took the airbag cover off (that's a pain in the ass by the way!!) and there was no harness/connector for them. Would it possibly be tucked away somewhere in the steering column wrapped in electrical tape or something? If not, has anyone done a write up on how to add them? If not, I guess I might be the one doing a write up on how to add them. lol. Thanks guys/gals!
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls? 
    GrandPrix Junkie
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    4,724
    Thanks (Received)
    18
    Likes (Received)
    75
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    You may also need the correct clock spring and wire harness that runs from the column to the radio to make that work.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. Thanks MegaVortex thanked for this post
    Likes MegaVortex liked this post
  4. #3 Re: Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Benton Harbor, MI
    Posts
    18
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by FordMan77 View Post
    You may also need the correct clock spring and wire harness that runs from the column to the radio to make that work.
    Thanks! Any idea on the part number? I'm not seeing it on the parts diagram.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #4 Re: Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Benton Harbor, MI
    Posts
    18
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by FordMan77 View Post
    You may also need the correct clock spring and wire harness that runs from the column to the radio to make that work.
    Never mind, I found it! Will have to pull the steering wheel off and see which one I have.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #5 Re: Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls? 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824
    you would need the other style clock spring, its what makes the radio controls work. if you had the right one, you'd have found the wires.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  7. Likes MegaVortex liked this post
  8. #6 Re: Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Benton Harbor, MI
    Posts
    18
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Scottydoggs View Post
    you would need the other style clock spring, its what makes the radio controls work. if you had the right one, you'd have found the wires.
    You are correct! I actually got a 2005 entire steering column in the mail for only $75 shipped!! This is including the wheel, airbag, and everything! The clockspring definitely has different connectors, as well as the column harness. However, the connectors that come OUT of the harness appear to be identical. I'm just waiting on a new retainer ring, because I destroyed the one on the old column getting the clockspring off (even with snap ring pliers, just couldn't seem to get it) and I don't want to ruin the one on my car and be screwed. I'll report back once I'm finished with the project. I also have to get the aftermarket adapter to use the controls with my new radio, so it may be a bit. Below are the clockspring and retainer ring part numbers in case anyone wonders... The reatainer ring says it's not compatible, but from the pictures online it certainly looks like the right part. Again, if not I'll post an update!

    Clock Spring: 26097600
    Retainer Ring: 274414 (I think!)
    Reply With Quote  
     

  9. #7 Re: Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls? 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    39,995
    Thanks (Received)
    63
    Likes (Received)
    166
    Dislikes (Received)
    5
    Chats
    243824
    why dont ya just put that whole new column in the car.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
    Reply With Quote  
     

  10. Likes MegaVortex liked this post
  11. #8 Re: Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Benton Harbor, MI
    Posts
    18
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Scottydoggs View Post
    why dont ya just put that whole new column in the car.
    That's just too easy! lol Honestly, I just really like to have projects to work on and I like to keep as much original parts in the car as possible.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  12. #9 Re: Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Benton Harbor, MI
    Posts
    18
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    All finished! All I'm waiting on is the adapter for my aftermarket radio. I'll let you know what I learned. Maybe someone else will find this useful.

    So, the clocksprings for 2004-2005 come in 2 different types. With steering wheel controls and without. Additionally, the steering column harness connector that connects to the clockspring also comes in 2 different types and they each have different connectors that attach to the clockspring (all of the other connectors on it are the same, which in my opinion is stupid). So, you need both the clockspring for SWC AND the steering column harness for SWC. Everything else appears to be fine.

    One additional note: 2006+ GPs have the cruise control on the left stalk along with the headlights instead of the bottom right of the steering wheel. So while those clocksprings/harnesses may work, you would have to switch over to a new left stalk with the cruise control on it. Beyond that, I don't know if the clockspring and harness would work or not. I would say if you have an 04 or 05 just get the 04/05 parts to keep it as simple as possible. I'll post pictures and part numbers below.

    New clockspring and harness:




    Old clockspring and harness:



    This is the 2005 connector to the harness WITHOUT SWC. The one without is a flat connector, while the one with the controls is rectangular. (sorry I forgot to take a picture of the SWC harness connector):



    Make sure that when you remove the old clockspring that the steering wheel is straight and that it's lined up with the positive cable hole for the horn. Hold the center so that it doesn't move while you remove it. Then tape it or otherwise secure it so that it doesn't spin, because it does need to be "centered". If you need to reuse it for any reason and you don't do this, it could break during use when you're turning the wheel. I ordered a new one which comes centered. It has a plastic tab that keeps it from moving and keeps it centered. Just line it up with the horn wire hole and install it. Then you break the plastic tab off and it's free to spin. Super easy!



    Finished product:



    And it lights up too now! lol:




    Part numbers


    Clock Spring: 26097600
    Retainer Ring: 274414 (Says it doesn't fit online, but I assure you it's the right one. This is in case you ruin yours getting the old clockspring off. I got lucky and my new snap ring pliers worked great.)
    Steering Column Harness: Actually I can''t find the part number. I got mine from a used 05 column. I would ask your parts dealer or hit up the junk yard.

    Cheers!!
    Reply With Quote  
     

  13. #10 Re: Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls? 
    GTP Level Member wowitsfast's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    portland oregon
    Posts
    959
    Thanks (Received)
    6
    Likes (Received)
    34
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    507
    Good job man crack a cold one for a job well done

    Sent from my SM-G981V using Tapatalk
    Just a bunch of junk thrown together http://www.grandprixforums.com/membe...ht=wowitsfasts
    Reply With Quote  
     

  14. #11 Re: Adding Steering Wheel Radio Controls? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Benton Harbor, MI
    Posts
    18
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Chats
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by wowitsfast View Post
    Good job man crack a cold one for a job well done

    Sent from my SM-G981V using Tapatalk
    Thanks boss!
    Reply With Quote  
     

Similar Threads

  1. Steering Wheel Radio Controls
    By Bronco Boy in forum Audio, Security & Visual Electronics
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-21-2016, 10:48 AM
  2. Steering wheel radio controls
    By Timmaayy2121 in forum How To Write-Ups/Tech Tips
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 03-08-2015, 10:22 PM
  3. Adding Steering Wheel Controls
    By JBC2005 in forum Audio, Security & Visual Electronics
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 10-05-2011, 12:09 PM
  4. steering wheel radio controls
    By DaveB in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-18-2009, 11:59 AM
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •