lights in steering wheel
newoldsguy
06-08-2005, 07:04 AM
2001 Aurora 3.5. The lights that allow you to see the buttons in the steering wheel at night (fan and radio adjustments) do not illuminate. When I remove the module from the steering wheel and hook it up to a 12 volt DC charge, the lights illuminate so they are not burned out. I have tried cleaning the contacts on the little wiring harness that runs to the modules and that did not work.
I also removed and re-set every fuse and circuit breaker under the hood and beneath the back seat. I disconnected and reconnected the battery terminals.
If the problem were in the little wiring harness that connects into the modules, I would not expect the buttons themselves to work but they all work fine so the module is getting energized. I have to suspect there is a blown fuse. Does anybody know which fuse on this vehicle controls those mini bulbs?
Ted Harvatin (newoldsguy)
[email protected]
I also removed and re-set every fuse and circuit breaker under the hood and beneath the back seat. I disconnected and reconnected the battery terminals.
If the problem were in the little wiring harness that connects into the modules, I would not expect the buttons themselves to work but they all work fine so the module is getting energized. I have to suspect there is a blown fuse. Does anybody know which fuse on this vehicle controls those mini bulbs?
Ted Harvatin (newoldsguy)
[email protected]
Jacko30
06-08-2005, 10:08 AM
This is very strange.
One of my lites is burned out and I am going to take the module out and have a look at it. I don't believe there would be a fuse for these 4 bulbs only and I wonder how many wires are going to these modules.
I would like to see a wiring diagram for the steering wheel that way maybe one could see how this part is wired.
I am going to buy a new module which is very affordable at about $18US before I take things apart than if repairing does not work I can slip in the new one. Just my 2 cents worth.
:confused: :confused: :confused:
One of my lites is burned out and I am going to take the module out and have a look at it. I don't believe there would be a fuse for these 4 bulbs only and I wonder how many wires are going to these modules.
I would like to see a wiring diagram for the steering wheel that way maybe one could see how this part is wired.
I am going to buy a new module which is very affordable at about $18US before I take things apart than if repairing does not work I can slip in the new one. Just my 2 cents worth.
:confused: :confused: :confused:
serick04
06-08-2005, 02:13 PM
I have the same problem with my '01. I had one of the switches lose backlighting so I took it apart to have a look and now none of them work. If anyone finds a cure I'd like to hear about it.
juliest
06-26-2005, 06:13 PM
Can someone tell me how to check the lights in the steering wheel, only one of mine work.
newoldsguy
06-27-2005, 04:52 PM
I have the same problem with my '01. I had one of the switches lose backlighting so I took it apart to have a look and now none of them work. If anyone finds a cure I'd like to hear about it.
(1) If some but not all of your bulbs are working and you are able to perform some fairly delicate solder work, this first post is right on the money. This is not my post but it is accurate.:
On the 01 aurora you need to gently pry out the switches. This is most easily done when the temperature is warm and the plastic on either side of the switch is soft so that you can push it back. Both switches on each side come out together as one unit. Unplug the wiring harness. You can go buy a new switch set (this is how the dealer would do it) for a lot of money or you can replace the bulb for about $1.00 or less. If only one bulb is out, I would replace both anyway so that the brightness matches, and I'll bet the other one goes out soon anyway.
To replace the bulb you need soldering skills. Do this in a location where you won't lose small parts, as there are several inside. You take the switch apart from the back side by pushing the plastic side pieces back with a small screwdriver alowing the central portion to slide out. Now you will be inside of the switch and the light bulb is right there. It is soldered on to the circuit board in its little white "boot". Pop the bulb and boot off with your fingers. Take the old bulb out of the plastic boot and take the green plastic sleeve off of the bulb. Go to radio shack and buy a new 12 v bulb that is the same physical size. I replaced my bulbs with 60 milliamp bulbs, they are slightly brighter than the old bulbs. You might see if you can find 40 or 50 instead. Put the green sleeve on the new bulb. Solder the new bulb on to the contacts. Don't try using the plastic boot. Don't cut the wires on the new bulb to length until after you solder it on. I found that the long wires made excelent "handles" to control the bulb position with until soldered in place. Once soldered on the board, bend the extra wire back and forth a few times and it will break at the solder edge. Put it back together and you should be in business.
(2) If none of your bulbs work, you may simple have a blown fuse. This is my post from last week. If you follow it, you will find the fuses that control the steering wheel controls and the lights that go with them. The poster who doubted these are separately fused is incorrect. They are separately fused, at least on the 2001.:
If you know that the lights in the steering wheel are good, which you can test by removing the module and putting 12 volts DC on the contacts and seeing if the bulbs light up, you may have a blown fuse or two. Same thing for the actual steering wheel controls.
The fuses for the steering wheel controls and the lights are, on the 2001 at least and probably other models, located under the "hush panel". This panel is a large one, just below the steering column. It snaps out without much effort and without any tools. (be sure to empty the container that holds your change or you will have coins everywhere).
After removing the panel, you will see all kinds of wires, harnesses and connectors. But if you look around carefully, you will see a little black box about 3 inches tall, 3 inches wide and one inch thick. On the lid, it will say "2 amp fuses only" or something like that. Pry off the lid and the fuses are inside of there. Test them or better yet while you have it apart replace all 4 of them. You may need needle nosed pliers or a fuse puller to get them out. I have short fat fingers and big hands and I managed to do it so I don't think it is that hard.
Thanks to my friend Jim, who is the electroics mechanic at the local Olds dealer and a good friend of mine.
Any questions, email me directly at [email protected] if you wish. I
(1) If some but not all of your bulbs are working and you are able to perform some fairly delicate solder work, this first post is right on the money. This is not my post but it is accurate.:
On the 01 aurora you need to gently pry out the switches. This is most easily done when the temperature is warm and the plastic on either side of the switch is soft so that you can push it back. Both switches on each side come out together as one unit. Unplug the wiring harness. You can go buy a new switch set (this is how the dealer would do it) for a lot of money or you can replace the bulb for about $1.00 or less. If only one bulb is out, I would replace both anyway so that the brightness matches, and I'll bet the other one goes out soon anyway.
To replace the bulb you need soldering skills. Do this in a location where you won't lose small parts, as there are several inside. You take the switch apart from the back side by pushing the plastic side pieces back with a small screwdriver alowing the central portion to slide out. Now you will be inside of the switch and the light bulb is right there. It is soldered on to the circuit board in its little white "boot". Pop the bulb and boot off with your fingers. Take the old bulb out of the plastic boot and take the green plastic sleeve off of the bulb. Go to radio shack and buy a new 12 v bulb that is the same physical size. I replaced my bulbs with 60 milliamp bulbs, they are slightly brighter than the old bulbs. You might see if you can find 40 or 50 instead. Put the green sleeve on the new bulb. Solder the new bulb on to the contacts. Don't try using the plastic boot. Don't cut the wires on the new bulb to length until after you solder it on. I found that the long wires made excelent "handles" to control the bulb position with until soldered in place. Once soldered on the board, bend the extra wire back and forth a few times and it will break at the solder edge. Put it back together and you should be in business.
(2) If none of your bulbs work, you may simple have a blown fuse. This is my post from last week. If you follow it, you will find the fuses that control the steering wheel controls and the lights that go with them. The poster who doubted these are separately fused is incorrect. They are separately fused, at least on the 2001.:
If you know that the lights in the steering wheel are good, which you can test by removing the module and putting 12 volts DC on the contacts and seeing if the bulbs light up, you may have a blown fuse or two. Same thing for the actual steering wheel controls.
The fuses for the steering wheel controls and the lights are, on the 2001 at least and probably other models, located under the "hush panel". This panel is a large one, just below the steering column. It snaps out without much effort and without any tools. (be sure to empty the container that holds your change or you will have coins everywhere).
After removing the panel, you will see all kinds of wires, harnesses and connectors. But if you look around carefully, you will see a little black box about 3 inches tall, 3 inches wide and one inch thick. On the lid, it will say "2 amp fuses only" or something like that. Pry off the lid and the fuses are inside of there. Test them or better yet while you have it apart replace all 4 of them. You may need needle nosed pliers or a fuse puller to get them out. I have short fat fingers and big hands and I managed to do it so I don't think it is that hard.
Thanks to my friend Jim, who is the electroics mechanic at the local Olds dealer and a good friend of mine.
Any questions, email me directly at [email protected] if you wish. I
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026