Steering wheel audio controls

[ghorvath]

I've seen this posted a couple times, but mine is unique enough that I thought I might try a new thread.

Just bought a 2007 Montana SV6 from a dealer who apparently got the car out of Canada. While it was owned in The Great White North, it apparently was in an accident Carfax labels "moderate damage" to the left front. I speculate that the airbag deployed, but have no proof one way or the other.

The audio controls on the steering wheel do not work. The buttons illuminate, and unlike other posters here, my horn and cruise control both still work just fine. I should also mention that none of the buttons work, not just this one or that one. No functionality of any steering wheel audio control buttons.

I've seen the clock spring mentioned as a culprit in other threads, but wonder if it's still a suspect here or whether the working lights and cruise eliminate it from troubleshooting? The dealer with whom we are/were working with was stumped, so I began troubleshooting this myself hoping it might be a quick fix like a fuse. Unfortunately my owner's manual fuse schematic doesnt list any slots for those controls.

Any help would be appreciated, I'd love to be able to go back to the dealer with a pinpoint "I'd like you to take a look at XXX", if possible. Thanks in advance!

[rkvons]

I'm not an expert, but does the radio look like the right radio for that van and able to be controlled by the steering wheel buttons?

[ghorvath]

Originally Posted by rkvons

I'm not an expert, but does the radio look like the right radio for that van and able to be controlled by the steering wheel buttons?

Yes, it appears to be the stock manufacturer-installed stereo that matches the picture of a "Radio with CD" as shown in the Owner's Manual. The steering wheel buttons likewise match the pictures in the Owner's Manual, so I'm led to believe there have been no after-market modifications done to the audio system, barring whatever post-accident work had to be done on the steering column if the airbag did in fact deploy.

[dewaynep]

The switches on the wheel are a multiplexed signal. The bcm is looking for different voltage drops as each switch is pressed. The fact that none of the switches works leads me to believe that you have: A bad ground, no power to the switches or a radio that can't be controlled by the switches. You could put the van on a bcm capable scanner and look at the voltages the bcm is seeing as you press the switches. No voltage (blown fuse, bad ground, bad power lead), voltage changes but the stereo doesn't react (sereo not interfaced properly with steering wheel controls). I guess it's possible the stereo was replaced and wasn't plugged in properly? Good luck. Just as an FYI, I have the steering wheel stereo controls on my van and have never used them.