2002 Trans Am steering wheel control
09-11-2012, 06:17 AM
#2
How long have you had the car? Have the controls ever worked for you? If so, was anything done to the car between the time they worked and stopped working?
Has anyone removed the steering wheel or airbag?
Do the lights on the controls light up when you turn the headlights on?
Has anyone removed the steering wheel or airbag?
Do the lights on the controls light up when you turn the headlights on?
09-13-2012, 04:04 AM
#3
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ogden, UT
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How long have you had the car? Have the controls ever worked for you? If so, was anything done to the car between the time they worked and stopped working?
Has anyone removed the steering wheel or airbag?
Do the lights on the controls light up when you turn the headlights on?
Has anyone removed the steering wheel or airbag?
Do the lights on the controls light up when you turn the headlights on?
No lights on the controls either
Last edited by WhiteBird00; 09-13-2012 at 07:32 AM. Reason: Merge consecutive posts
09-13-2012, 09:12 AM
#4
Ah - That's all helpful information. I'm thinking that the controls are either unplugged somewhere. There is a connection behind the airbag, at the base of the steering column, and at the radio.
Any indication of custom radio work in the past? Do you have the stock radio?
Any indication of custom radio work in the past? Do you have the stock radio?
Trending Topics
09-13-2012, 03:23 PM
#8
The stock one is a nice one. 
I assume you mean that it looks like in the past the car had an aftermarket unit...
If that's the case, whoever worked with it probably did something with the controls - you'll have to trace wires and un-screw-up what was done in the past to get it all working again.
This clockspring should be installed in your steering column:
If you find the wire with the grey sheath at the base of the steering column, you should be able to trace its wires back to wherever it used to hook up to the stock stereo. (BTW - The full yellow wire is for the airbag. The grey sheathed one is for the controls.)
I assume you mean that it looks like in the past the car had an aftermarket unit...
If that's the case, whoever worked with it probably did something with the controls - you'll have to trace wires and un-screw-up what was done in the past to get it all working again.
This clockspring should be installed in your steering column:
If you find the wire with the grey sheath at the base of the steering column, you should be able to trace its wires back to wherever it used to hook up to the stock stereo. (BTW - The full yellow wire is for the airbag. The grey sheathed one is for the controls.)
09-14-2012, 07:26 AM
#9
The problem could also be the clockspring itself since the buttons and the button illumination (separate circuits) aren't working and the airbag light is on indicating a problem with the airbag connection. I wouldn't be surprised to hear the horn doesn't work either.
09-14-2012, 08:25 PM
#11
No. The design of the horn circuit dates back to the 1960's and the parts are largely unchanged since then. The airbags and steering wheels are modern components that GM has tacked on to the old column design w/o modifying the old stuff. Its really a lovely thing that keeps steering column repair costs down for us big time.
I totally missed the comment earlier in the thread that the car had an Air Bag light on. That is a much larger issue and you shouldn't even drive the car if that's still the case until its fixed. (The stereo controls are the least of your problems.)
As WhiteBird00 points out, they could be related. Either way, your car is showing signs of a shadowy history... (BTW - Not sure if I'd buy a car with the Air Bag light on.)
Do you know if the car has ever been in an accident?
I totally missed the comment earlier in the thread that the car had an Air Bag light on. That is a much larger issue and you shouldn't even drive the car if that's still the case until its fixed. (The stereo controls are the least of your problems.)
As WhiteBird00 points out, they could be related. Either way, your car is showing signs of a shadowy history... (BTW - Not sure if I'd buy a car with the Air Bag light on.)
Do you know if the car has ever been in an accident?
09-17-2012, 03:47 AM
#12
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ogden, UT
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I had to guess I think it could have been side swiped. The door skin on the drivers door radles a lot when it's shut, and seems to be coming apart at the seam by the hinge. But the fenders sit straight along with the hood. Original stickers are on the door still, and all around feels like a solid car. It's also my only mode of transport.
09-18-2012, 12:28 PM
#16
... and whatever you do, keep the thing at arms length at all times and keep your face away from it. Its conceivable, but rare, that static electricity can set it off.
If you are in driver position, it can save your life. If you are in mechanic position, it can kill you.
If you are in driver position, it can save your life. If you are in mechanic position, it can kill you.
09-19-2012, 07:41 AM
#17
Wait 10-15 minutes after pulling the fuse before touching the airbag connections. There is a capacitor in the circuit that takes a while to discharge and can set off the air bag accidentally. Usually you would pull the fuse first and then go get your tools and remove the cover screws... by then enough time should have passed for it to be safe but still keep it away from your face as wssix99 mentioned.
