steering wheel buttons - who's done it??

[4lo_n'go]

has anyone purchased the steering wheel buttons from www.autowoods.com seen here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-06-GM-Truck-SUV-Spoke-Control-Switches-NEW-SET_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116Q QitemZ270323790909QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPart sQ5fAccessories

are they the only company out there to get them from? are there more options, like buttons with LEDs in them or anything? if my buttons are burned out at 40k miles, i dont wanna be doin this again in 3 years because i bought GM replacement parts this time.

[sj250]

I am almost positive those buttons have LED's in them to begin with. I have an extra steering wheel in my shop I can open up a button and see. That ebay site sounds good though, 100% feedback and GM parts, can't really go wrong.

[4lo_n'go]

as far as i know, the lights from the factory are just the little like 3 watt bulbs soldered onto a circuit board, i dont think they're leds. i could be wrong tho. im gonna order a set of these buttons prolly next week. i talked to the guy, he does custom steering wheels, and sells them. he said these are buttons that were removed from brand new GM steering wheels, he just has them layin around and hes tryin to get rid of them

[NathanJax]

They are NOT LED's. I just popped mine out and took apart. The top 2 buttons left and right can be taken out and CAREFULLY put back together without taking the steering wheel apart. The wires are JUST long enough. The bottom buttons, can't be removed without opening up the steering wheel.

Here's some pictures of the switch being taken apart. Sorry, but they are with my iphone.

Here's the switch out...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/nathanjax/Truck/Truck%20Misc/Switchbottom.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/nathanjax/Truck/Truck%20Misc/Switch1.jpg

Carefully open the back...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/nathanjax/Truck/Truck%20Misc/Open1.jpg

Lift the white plastic piece and the back of the switch

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/nathanjax/Truck/Truck%20Misc/Open2.jpg

If the red tabs fall out, FIND THEM and you'll see on the backside of the actual black switch where to put them back.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/nathanjax/Truck/Truck%20Misc/Allopen.jpg

On the lights themselves, pull off the blue cover and it looks like this...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/nathanjax/Truck/Truck%20Misc/lights.jpg

You will then have to "un"solder the bulb and solder the new one back in. I haven't looked for a new bulb yet, not sure where to look, but they are SMALL.

Here's a pic of the bulb compared to a 194 bulb

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/nathanjax/Truck/Truck%20Misc/bulbcompare.jpg

I can't find these bulbs. At first I thought my father (mechanic) could get them, but he can't get them THAT small...

If I can find the bulb and get everything to work right, I'll post up a DIY. But until then, this is all I got...

Nathan

[4lo_n'go]

i think ill stick with the replacement buttons for $70... :aniteef:

[NathanJax]

i think ill stick with the replacement buttons for $70... :aniteef:

I'm kinda thinking the same thing. I wonder if he would do a group deal...

However, if someone is good with electronics and soldering, I bet you could replace all the bulbs for less than $10. $10 is better than $79 IF you know what your doing...

[4lo_n'go]

i emailed the guy and he said he's got like 5 or 10 sets. ill see if he wouldnt mind doin that, cause honestly, id like to get ahold of a few sets, just in case.

[NathanJax]

i emailed the guy and he said he's got like 5 or 10 sets. ill see if he wouldnt mind doin that, cause honestly, id like to get ahold of a few sets, just in case.

I'd like a set... Even if he'll sell you a few discounted sets, I'll paypal you the money to send them to me when you get them. Or vice serva or whatever...

[sj250]

Yeah I pulled one apart the other day and found the little bulbs.
On a side not Nathan do you have any good big pics of your truck....looks damn nice!!

[NathanJax]

On a side not Nathan do you have any good big pics of your truck....looks damn nice!!

You can click the link in my signature. Those are the best/only pictures I've got online right now.







You can get these switches for $63.17 plus shipping ($7.58 to ship to me on FL) BRAND NEW from GM Parts Direct here... http://www.gmpartsonline.net/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getJointLocator&siteid=215055&chapter=&Sectionids=0,2575&groupid=51862&subgroupid=2634&componentid=41585&make=6&model=Silverado%201500%20pickup&year=2005&graphicID=GH99439&callout=8&catalogid=2&displayCatalogid=0

MSRP on all 4 switches is $100.70 so your saving $37.53 if you buy it from GM Parts Direct.

I think this will be the route I go. That way I'm not messing with eBay and stuff. Not that he's a bad seller or anything, but about $10 cheaper and they are brand new, not "take offs" or anything.

I'm still going to go by the Chevy steelership here and see what my fathers (mechanic) cost is on these.. I'll post up the price tomorrow night.

[4lo_n'go]

You can get these switches for $63.17 plus shipping ($7.58 to ship to me on FL) BRAND NEW from GM Parts Direct here... http://www.gmpartsonline.net/partlocator/index.cfm?action=getJointLocator&siteid=215055&chapter=&Sectionids=0,2575&groupid=51862&subgroupid=2634&componentid=41585&make=6&model=Silverado%201500%20pickup&year=2005&graphicID=GH99439&callout=8&catalogid=2&displayCatalogid=0

MSRP on all 4 switches is $100.70 so your saving $37.53 if you buy it from GM Parts Direct.

I think this will be the route I go. That way I'm not messing with eBay

ive never bought anything from GM parts direct. if i were to buy these, do they offer any kind of warranty on them, since they're brand new and right from GM?

[NathanJax]

Ok. So I got my switches today... from the local dealer. Installed them and they work great, and they light up fine.

Part numbers:

1999442 - Radio program and source buttons
1999443 - Radio seek/volume

21997738 - trip/fuel buttons
21997739 - personalization

Retail was $100.70, however, I used my fathers account (mechanic shop) and purchased the switches for $75.53. That's cheaper than the eBay guy and online sites with shipping. Plus they were brand new from GM.

[Budrun]

So what tools did you use to pull the switch out? I just lost the volume lights tonight. Ive got the bulb just need to know how to get the switch out so I can solder it in. Thanks

[NathanJax]

flat head screw driver. it seems like you may break or bend the rubber, but you won't...

[isedawishy]

I just tackled this project on my 05 1500. I did buy the replacement switches because they were getting worn out and some of the bulbs were out.

You may be advised to take off the airbag or the steering wheel. This is NOT necessary. I was able to do this using needlenose pliers, a gasket puller (pretty much a thin pick with a curve edge), and a small flat head.

The top top were super easy because the switches come all the way out when you pull them with the pliers.

The bottom two are a bit more tough and may give you some trouble, but be patient. Study the replacement ones and know exactly where the release tab is and get the flathead in there working. You'll have to use the gasket puller to line up the connection and push the switch in at the same time. It took me a few tries to get it perfectly lined up.

Good luck!