Replacing bulb in radio switch on steering wheel?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Replacing bulb in radio switch on steering wheel???? I wasn't sure on where to post this question, I am sorry if it's in the wrong place. But my question is, I have a 1997 trans am and the Seek/preset button on the steering wheel has gone out. I heard there is a way to just open the button and soder on a new bulb. Well can someone tell me if this is possible. And if it is, where can i get a bulb that fits and i could soder? thanks for the help
Get something like a pick and pry the whole switch out gently. Take the buttons off the front then you'll see the bulb inside. You'll need to heat it up so the old solder lets it go then just pop a new bulb in and let it dry.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by LoudmouthLT1
Get something like a pick and pry the whole switch out gently. Take the buttons off the front then you'll see the bulb inside. You'll need to heat it up so the old solder lets it go then just pop a new bulb in and let it dry.
Do you know what size bulb and where i can get one. and is the bulb just clear
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by LoudmouthLT1
Its got a red sleeve over it to make it have that orange color. I don't know what bulb it is, you'll have to take the old one out to find out.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
I'm not sure if the design changed over the years, but on my 1994, the buttons dont just 'pop off' unless you break them.
After disconnecting the battery, check the back of the steering wheel for 4 screws (cant remember if they are allen or torx). This will release the airbag assembly. Pull it out slowly and disconnect the yellow connector, as well as whatever other electrical connectors are there for the radio controls.
I cant remember much after that, but the switch assemblies will unbolt from the rest of the assembly, and then there are screws along the back of the button assemblies that will separate them in two.
You can then access the little circuit board, the 6 LEDs, and the little red switches that the buttons activate. While you're in there, you might replace the little rubber plungers that depress the switches -- using those little red straws from an aerosol spray can in place of the rubber plungers. Works 100% better than the little rubber plungers...
Feel free to ask questions if that was unclear. Sorry, I know those directions are somewhat vague. -Poor memory, but it wasn't difficult to figure out on my own once I got tearing into it...
After disconnecting the battery, check the back of the steering wheel for 4 screws (cant remember if they are allen or torx). This will release the airbag assembly. Pull it out slowly and disconnect the yellow connector, as well as whatever other electrical connectors are there for the radio controls.
I cant remember much after that, but the switch assemblies will unbolt from the rest of the assembly, and then there are screws along the back of the button assemblies that will separate them in two.
You can then access the little circuit board, the 6 LEDs, and the little red switches that the buttons activate. While you're in there, you might replace the little rubber plungers that depress the switches -- using those little red straws from an aerosol spray can in place of the rubber plungers. Works 100% better than the little rubber plungers...
Feel free to ask questions if that was unclear. Sorry, I know those directions are somewhat vague. -Poor memory, but it wasn't difficult to figure out on my own once I got tearing into it...
Trending Topics
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
Well, whatever works. If you can get to it that way, then by all means, do so. But, judging that soldering is involved, it might be easiest to remove the pieces entirely IMHO. They are fairly simple to remove completely if the first method doesn't work out. Good luck...
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Blaine, MN
I'm glad this was brought up becuase not only is my light out on that seek button panel but that side doesn't even work. The right side that controls volume does work. Is there some sort of fuse or something that would make the left panel not even work?
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by outdooricon
I'm glad this was brought up becuase not only is my light out on that seek button panel but that side doesn't even work. The right side that controls volume does work. Is there some sort of fuse or something that would make the left panel not even work?
Also, inside there, make sure the little red button on the circuit board is still ok. One of mine was stuck -- just needed to be cleaned a little...
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 1
From: Anna, OH
Originally Posted by Alex94TAGT
I'm not sure if the design changed over the years, but on my 1994, the buttons dont just 'pop off' unless you break them.
After disconnecting the battery, check the back of the steering wheel for 4 screws (cant remember if they are allen or torx). This will release the airbag assembly. Pull it out slowly and disconnect the yellow connector, as well as whatever other electrical connectors are there for the radio controls.
I cant remember much after that...'cuz the air bag blew up and knocked me out!
After disconnecting the battery, check the back of the steering wheel for 4 screws (cant remember if they are allen or torx). This will release the airbag assembly. Pull it out slowly and disconnect the yellow connector, as well as whatever other electrical connectors are there for the radio controls.
I cant remember much after that...'cuz the air bag blew up and knocked me out!
