Steering wheel buttons

I know on the 98's you can do into diag mode and set a parameter in the instrument panel settings and change it by telling the car there is no phone (don't think this will affect the phone just the handsfree use) OR you can pay the dealer $75 / hr to do it for you. HOWEVER IF you do it yourself and enter a wrong setting it could cost you a new instrument panel :thehand: :tisk: :crying: :hide:

Same car, same situation. Since it is still rather new I haven't been able to find a FSM on Ebay yet and since it is still under warranty I am not in too big of a hurry so, unfortunately I cannot help but will be following this thread closely.

1998Deville said:

I know on the 98's you can do into diag mode and set a parameter in the instrument panel settings and change it by telling the car there is no phone (don't think this will affect the phone just the handsfree use) OR you can pay the dealer $75 / hr to do it for you. HOWEVER IF you do it yourself and enter a wrong setting it could cost you a new instrument panel :thehand: :tisk: :crying: :hide:

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But it is possible for the dealer to set this up? I am a do-it-yourselfer, and do not pay anyone, to do spmething that I can do myself. But, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. If I go to the dealer, will they look at me like I am more stupid than normal? Thanks for your reply.

Don

I finally found some time to get to the dealer this afternoon. Two service writers, and one tech, were very certain that this could not be done. They all said that they had never heard, or done this before. If I wanted them to do "trial and error" they would. I said no, and thanked them. There is another dealer not too far away. I will call them, and see if they know anything.

Don

Thanks for the update. Keep me posted.

Called Crown Cadillac in Watchung NJ today, and asked them if they could do the upgrade. The gentleman on the other side of the phone, said no problem. I am bringing it to him this Saturday (Christmas eve), and he said it will take about an hour. It probably will take 3 minutes, but he will get paid for an entire hour. As long as it can be done, I really don't mind. I will post this weekend the results.

Don

Went to the dealer this morning. No dice. He hooked up the Tech 2, but couldn't get it to change over. He was surprised, as he thought that it was doable. Something with the switch only being one wire or something. I asked him if a "fan" switch was installed, would it make a difference. He said no, and that the switch is discontinued. Well, all wasn't bad. I did not get charged for the work, and my car was washed. If anyone has any info on this subject, please post it. There is a chance that the tech that did my car, didn't know what he was doing. Oh, and the guy must have loved my sound system. Just before I went inside the service dept, I shut off the stereo. When I picked up the car, it was playing loud. I am glad he liked it.

Don

Well, so much for that idea. The good news is, I never use that button anyway.

Ranger said:

Well, so much for that idea. The good news is, I never use that button anyway.

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Me either. That is why I figured I ought to make some use from it. It would have been nice though.

Don

I read in the service manual, that each switch has a different resistance value, and that the computer recognizes the difference.

All you have to do is replace the fan/temperature control switch and it will function correctly.

Ron

Now that's promising.

Bought my 99 STS used with 5K on it, the old owner had the phone switch installed and gave me the temp switch also. Anyone figure out how to remove the thing?

Rick99STS said:

Bought my 99 STS used with 5K on it, the old owner had the phone switch installed and gave me the temp switch also. Anyone figure out how to remove the thing?

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Remove the column shroud (upper and lower), then remove the air bag (don't forget to pull the fuse under the rear seat first). Once the air bag is removed there are two screws on the underside that hold the switch in place. I R & R'd my daughters in about :30 - :45 min.

P.S. You will need to move the steering wheel forward to get enough room to access the 4 release pins for the bag on the back side. Once the wheel is all the way forward, tap the button 8 times to gain about another 1/8".

I am also trying to remove my steering wheel radio buttons. How do you remove the plastic cover to get to the airbag module in the steering wheel?
Thanks,
Frank [email protected]

dannypa said:

I am also trying to remove my steering wheel radio buttons. How do you remove the plastic cover to get to the airbag module in the steering wheel?
Thanks,
Frank [email protected]

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You do not remove the switches to remove the airbag. First, pull fuse #8 from under the rear seat. Then remove the lower insulator from the driver side. To the left of the steering column, is a yellow connector. Disconnect this. Then remove the upper and lower plastic surround pieces on the steering column. Now, using two short flat blade screwdrivers, insert them from behind the airbag, through the holes in the back of the steering wheel (two holes per side). Give them a 1/4 turn, while pulling rearward on the airbag. Get one side free, and do the other side. It is quite easy actually.

Don

Thanks Don for answering so quickly. I am going to try this tonight. Thanks Frank

Any updates? I would like to know if it worked out ok. I'm assuming nobody has ever had luck with adding in a new phone to a 1999 STS instead.

A