Steering wheel radio button appears dead

[jaso1108]

New to the forum here- the radio control switch on the left side of the steering wheel appears to have gone dead- no light, no functions- has anyone replaced one of these? I tried prying it out a bit, but it looks like it might come apart if I take it out.

Is there a particular method to removing it and replacing it?

Thanks,

Jason

[1999montana]

Originally Posted by jaso1108

...Is there a particular method to removing it and replacing it?...

Hello Jason,

Welcome to the forum; - a place you will visit more than once while you own your Pontiac van!

We have the leather wrapped steering wheel on our van and the left radio control manages the seek / preset / and play function for the CD / Cassette

The control will come out as a unit (it's kinda pressed into the foam of the steering wheel spoke) but you will have to work at it gently. Before you pull it all the way out, you will have to release the connector behind it. It may be that someone tried to remove the control and disconnected the wire to it, (or worse).

I used a small ignition screw driver to wiggle the connector out of the plug behind, while holding the control at a slight angle so that I could get the screwdriver behind it. It's a tight fit, but can be done. There is only about 1" to 1-1/2" of 'free' wire on the connection, so be careful.

If it is just the bulb, the following should work for you if you have the patience to deal with it...total cost about $2.00 versus $20 to $50 for a new control.

The light bulb is soldered into a tiny circuit board in the switch / control (the top will pop off the control if you pry it gingerly). Once the top is off you will see a tiny screw that not even an ignition set has a socket to match to my knowledge (it's like 4mm across).

I used a small pair of vise grips to initially turn the screw and then worked it out with my needle nose pliers. Once out I pressed the screw into a chunk of wood and cut a slot in it with a hacksaw blade so I could use a blade screwdriver to replace it.

OK, now you have it apart. To replace the bulb you need a low wattage soldering iron (no more that 25 to 40 watts) a new 12 to 18 volt bulb from Radio Shack and some patience (you can also find the bulbs at a hobby store that sells model trains).

Remove the solder from the old bulb and pull it out. Flux the new bulb leads, add a bit of solder (use electronics grade solder) do not use acid core or 50/50 general purpose solder to the tip of the iron and place the bulb in the circuit board.

When you go to re-install the old control (or a new one), you'll need to fashion a small hook like wire (paper clip works) to hook the back of the connector and push it back into the back of the control before pushing the control back into the steering wheel.

Hope this helps.