replacing steering wheel with multifunction wheel

[stropp]

has anyone tried this?? can it be done easily. I have a 2003 Jetta GL and want to replace the cheap steering wheel with a multifunction wheel (its leather) Can it be done?? airbag? Cover?? function???

[ September 26, 2002, 19:12: Message edited by: stropp ]

 

[Birdman]

Do a search Lito did this on a 2000

 

[tongsli]

Did it, here's the reality:

1. Your airbag will NOT fit on the leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons. So, you need a new steering wheel and new airbag.

2. You will also need the multifunction steering wheel Control Module. #452(upside down)
<img src="http://pics.tdiclub.com/members/tongsli/Interior/Multifunction/wires2.jpg" alt=" - " />

You car does not have one. They are expensive.

3. You need a new canceling ring which has a 5th pin for the Can-bus system.
<img src="http://pics.tdiclub.com/members/tongsli/Interior/Multifunction/cancelingring2.jpg" alt=" - " />

4. You also need a new turn signal stalk which doesn't have the cruise control buttons on them. The existing stalk is not wired to work with the control module.

5. You'll need a bunch of wires and OEM connectors to control the radio volume, to plug in the Multifunction Steering wheel Control Module, Dual Horn Tone Relay, 10-pin connector at the steering wheel, you'll need an 8-pin Connector in water tight box which connects the control module to the ECU and other areas.

I THINK that's everything. I was going to do a comprehensive PDF of How to, but as I seem to do I forget to snap the camera as I'm working on it. I won't write the entire installation here, but if you choose to pursue this, I can help you.

Keep in mind, that the 2003 is going to be slightly different than in my 2000. But I know what it takes to install this in a 2000 Jetta TDI.

Lito

Having said all of this, if you can buy an airbag and steering wheel from someone, you'll save money. If you get from a salvage yard the control module, consider yourself lucky.

<small>[ September 27, 2002, 11:33: Message edited by: tongsli ]</small>

 

[stropp]

WOW! bought a steering wheel off of EBAY...
thought the cover from mine would fit as would the airbag... Looks like I will have a lot of work to do! Let me know if you PDF it. I am interested but this might be a Christmas break project. Sounds like a lot of time and effort...
I just hate the cheap feel of my standard plastic steering wheel and love the multifunction controls...
I will start gathering pieces and parts!
thanks!

 

[tongsli]

Which wheel did you buy, and how much did you spend???

Lito

I'll try to post pics and part numbers for you here. It'll give me a good excuse to organize and take some pics again

[ September 27, 2002, 11:40: Message edited by: tongsli ]

 

[tongsli]

NO, not at all. YOu did REALLY well. That's a fantastic price for that wheel. The multifunction buttons are expensive!!!

Your new airbag is gonna be expensive, but if you really want this mod, then what the heck. See if you can find an airbag on the VOrtex.

Lito

Final outlay? Don't know. You can start your list NOW.

[ September 27, 2002, 23:04: Message edited by: tongsli ]

 

[tongsli]

Here are some instructions for you:

1. Disconnect the negative terminal to the battery
2. Put key into ignition and turn so wheel can be turned
3. Turn the wheel 90 degrees until you find a small slot on the back of the wheel at the top

4. Pull the wheel out and up as far as you can and lock into place
5. Use a short screw driver and insert into the hole
6. Angle the screw driver with the handle down and the tip up and feel for the spring clip inside the wheel

7.The spring clip will release the airbag, once you push it down towards the center of the wheel. It looks like a big paperclip.

The screw driver pushes the spring clip this is before:

This is after you push the clip towards the center of the wheel:

8. Do one side, rotate the wheel 180 degrees and do the other side
9. The airbag will then release.
This is a pic of the airbag post that the spring clip holds

 

[tongsli]

10 don't pull the airbag all the way off as you need to reach behind it and disconnect the 5-pin connector

11. After the 5-pin connector is off, you can pull the airbag farther away from the steering wheel and then disconnect the 2-pin harness to the airbag.

12. Set aside airbag.
13. Get a 12pt Serrated Bit, 12mm to remove the center bolt that holds the wheel in place

14. The steering wheel is now loose
15. Be careful not to turn the canceling ring so that it stays "indexed" properly

16 Place new wheel onto the column, put center bolt back and tighten make sure you align the mark at the center of the wheel with the spindle mark
17. Plug in harness, connect airbag harness and then press the airbag into place
18. KEEP THE KEY TURNED and reconnect the battery terminal
19. Keeping the key turned will keep any power surges out of the airbag circuit. This is how Bentley's describes how to do this properly.

 

[stropp]

paid 47 plus shipping... says passat/jetta/golf.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1857755633

did I waste 55 dollars?

what do you think my final outlay will be? need to get an airbag from the dealer...

[ September 27, 2002, 12:01: Message edited by: stropp ]

 

[tongsli]

Are you kidding? We're just getting started

List the part number for your steering wheel and I will cross reference it with the airbag.

L

 

[stropp]

Thanks for the time and effort Lito! I am looking forward to the swap... What am I going to do with my old airbag?

any guess on the new style from the dealer?

 

[stropp]

should be arriving shortly... I am looking forward to this sort of...

 

[stropp]

OK! just got my steering wheel (which is a whole lot better than the cheap plastic stock POS)
Part number is...???
lots of numbers?1/176 00/42 TAS s06 61126 000b
1j0419091che74 KE on the back. what is the correct number or where do I find it... I am ready to begin...

 

[tongsli]

1J0 419 091C HE74 is the part number. I can't find a cross-reference to the airbag. Call your dealership and give them that part number.

It could be 1J0 880 201E

I don't want to be responsible for you getting the wrong one.

L

[ October 17, 2002, 21:51: Message edited by: tongsli ]

 

[stropp]

thanks for that! I will call and see what they say.

 

[stropp]

Ok, I am thinking about chickening out and just using this steering wheel as a leather replacement... looks like the airbag holder and parts will bolt in and replace the existing. also looks like the multifunction controls will come off easily too...
I will keep you posted!

 

[tongsli]

Unless I missed something, the location of the airbag "posts" are NOT identical from one wheel to the other.

Now, there are the metal connection plates/springs inside that MAY tansfer but I haven't looked to see if they align in the same holes.

These pieces:

Our wheels have (3)screws/bolts and the Multifunction has (4) if the top Two are in the same location, then it will work.

I have both steering wheels at home. I will compare them and post later tonight.

L

[ October 18, 2002, 11:18: Message edited by: tongsli ]

 

[stropp]

CLOSE!!! no luck though! off by 1/2 inch or so

 

[tongsli]

Stropp,

Just as I thought. I disassembled my OEM wheel and the springs and post stud clip DOES NOT FIT the Multifunction Steering Wheel.

I tried, the holes don't line up and the design inside the wheel is different as well. The OEM wheel has "ledges, or ridges" that push against some contacts which activate the horns.

They are not the same.

Lito

 

[stropp]

put it all back together and the airbag light is lit and I cannot figure out how to reset it.
Any ideas???

 

[tongsli]

Did you use the Vag-com to "scan" the airbag??

L

 

[stropp]

no, just disconnected and reconnected.

 

[Birdman]

If you turned the key on while the bag was off the lite will trigger. IF not recheck the connector. Don,t scan the airbag controller with the vag-com till you read Their site on the problem of frying the controller when scanning it with the vag-com

 

[stropp]

the key was on with the bag off. Is there a way to reset it?

 

[tongsli]

If you have a vag-com, you should be able to clear the DTC.

Read the site first before doing this. People have reported frying their Airbag controller using the Vag-com when selctiing the airbag controller #15.

Lito

 

[stropp]

is it possible to put the multipfunction wheel on with the new airbag but not wire in any of the parts? I would do this at a later date. Would the cruise control turn signal work the same? I think there is an extra hole in the non multi wheel... Got my airbag fixed(replaced) Be dang sure that you disconnect the power before messing with your airbag as it could get very costly!

 

[Thom]

After suffering without radio/cruise control functions on my steering wheel for the last three months, I've decided to do this mod on my '03 wagon.

I picked up the multifunction wheel & airbag, and my car came with the extra pin on the cancelling ring. My friendly salvage yard will have the control module for me tomorrow. If my understanding is correct, that means the only remaining parts that I need are the new turn signal stalk, OEM connector T18c, and a bunch of repair wires.

So, if anyone with ETKA access (or who's done this mod...Lito?) could help me out with p/ns for the following items it would be greatly appreciated:

turn signal stalk
connector T18c
repair wires for the following connectors:
T18c
T20
T5b
T10s (000 979 133?)

As far as the mod itself goes, after studying the Bentley my loose interpretation is as follows:

1. Remove old steering wheel, etc.
2. Install new stalk.
3. Remove some of the wires from T10s and re-route them to T18c. This results in T18c connected to T10e (Cruise +/-, etc).
4. Connect appropriate pins on T18c to T5b (cancelling ring)
5. Connect appropriate pins on T18c to T10s (Cruise on/off)
6. Connect appropriate pins on T18c to T20 (radio)
7. Connect appropriate pins on T18c to T32a (cluster)
8. Connect appropriate pins on T18c to dimmer, horn relay, power, ground...
9. Install new steering wheel.
10. Recode radio with Vag-Com.

Am I missing anything obvious?

 

[tongsli]

Thom,

will work on this today

L

[ February 26, 2003, 07:29: Message edited by: tongsli ]

 

[Thom]

Thanks, Lito!

 

[Thom]

Hi Lito,

Here are the wiring diagrams, a little bit on the large size. I'll try to clean them up so they're a little more manageable when I get home tonight. I knew I should've bought the Bentley CD in addition to the hard copy...

Some thoughts on the following:

8. Remove some of the wires from T10 and re-route them to T18c.
On the 2000s there are two wires that belong to the glow plug circuit that I don't think you have here at T10
Agreed. There should be 3 wires from T10e to T18c.

9. Connect appropriate pins on T18c to T5b (cancelling ring)
On my car, this is only 1 wire from T18C to T5b. T5b already had 4 wires: 2-airbag, 2-horn
Same on mine, just 1 new wire needed.

10. Connect appropriate pins on T18c to T10s (Cruise on/off)
Is T10 the black connector in the water-tight box? I'll assume so
T10e is the black connector in the water-tight box. T10s is the connector on the steering column for switch E45 (Cruise on/off). I think T10s/7 goes to T10e/3, T10s/6 goes to T18c/12 and T10s/4 goes to T18c/4.

11. Connect appropriate pins on T18c to T20 (radio)
This should only be one wire(Can-bus). At least on mine it was only one wire
Same here.

12. Connect appropriate pins on T18c to T32a (cluster)
I guess this is your cruise control light?can you please tell me which pins on T18c & T32a these are?
I may not be interpreting the diagram correctly here, but it looks like T18c/1 goes to T32a/9 for B230 Low-Bus, and T18c/3 goes to T32a/8 for B229 High-Bus. I believe the cruise light is activated by can-bus?

13.Connect appropriate pins on T18c to dimmer, horn relayone wire, power, ground...
make sure you choose the correct power wire and not one that is controlled off the light switch, don't ask me how I know this
Kinda hard not to ask with bait like that...

The OEM non MF Setup

Pinout on the MF Control Unit

New wiring

[ February 26, 2003, 16:18: Message edited by: Thom ]