DIY: Installing steering wheel audio and phone controls on Camaro !

[Jaime068]

The numbers that are listed for the switch and harness are the actual GM part numbers right? I ask because my dealer said I need the part numbers in order for GM to give them the right program for it to work.

[Darth Martel]

correctamundo

not sure about needing the part numbers though just for steering wheel controls. I didn't need to give mine any part #'s. Could be another case of idiot dealer syndrome.

[2010IBMSS]

Thanks for the detailed instructions!!!! I installed mine without any problems....excellent DIY!!!!!!!

[Cabrera]

Question.... how hard and what would i need to do to reverse the controls?

The radio buttons to the left of the steering wheel and the cuise to the right?

I'm right handed but find it more natural to adjust the volume and change songs if it were on the left hand side. .... just interchange the wires? where can I get the little decals?

[Darth Martel]

You could do it but all your controls would be upside down. Switching the harness so the wires and connectors go to the other side is no big thing. Your switches will fit in both spots too. Unfortunately, everything would be upside down. You'd have to get a custom set of switches made to do it properly.

[Cabrera]

Originally Posted by Darth Martel

You could do it but all your controls would be upside down. Switching the harness so the wires and connectors go to the other side is no big thing. Your switches will fit in both spots too. Unfortunately, everything would be upside down. You'd have to get a custom set of switches made to do it properly.

I should have started with what an awsome tech post......

First, where would I even begin to look for custom switches?

As for them being upside down?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the simplest way, is to switch the Wiring and get used to the controls on the other side.

I dont mind the blu tooth/phone, mainly the search and secondary the volume...

Hope I'm making sense... hehe.

Thanks

[Darth Martel]

I have no idea where you'd even look for a custom switch. Some people are gifted with being able to make such things and have the equipment and tools. I am not one of those people. I can make harnesses all day but, fabricating a new switch is something I just can't do. Well let me rephrase that. I can make a new switch but, it's going to look like something from a 5th grade science fair. Not the look you're going for.

As for the switches being upside down. You're going to have to think outside the box here. If you look at the controls on the left you'll see that the shape is kinda like a slice of pie. The same goes for the switch on the right. Now rotate your steering wheel so your left switch is on the right side. It's upside down right? Since the switches are a non uniform shape (not square or circular) they can only be oriented one way. If you were to try and move your left switch to the right side it simply won't fit in the slot as it does on the left. You have to turn the switch 180* to insert it in the manner in which it would fit, thus the switch would be oriented upside down in comparison to how it originally was on the left.

If by chance you were able to get somebody to build you a set of custom switches, The pinout on the switches would not change so the wiring would not change. What would change is that the wiring of your switch that originally went to the right side would now have to go to the left side and vice versa. The only issue you might have is the harness might be too short since you would lose a little bit of length due to the wires having to criss-cross each other to get to the other side. From what I remember of the harness though, I think there is an inch or so of extra length. It's one of those things where you'd just have to try it out and see if it reached. I think the harnesses that I built for the steering wheel controls had a little bit of extra length in them anyhow. That's just how I build things. I like to have a little bit of extra wiggle room in case a connector has to be replaced or something funky comes up and you need a little extra length.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Originally Posted by Cabrera

I should have started with what an awsome tech post......

First, where would I even begin to look for custom switches?

As for them being upside down?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the simplest way, is to switch the Wiring and get used to the controls on the other side.

I dont mind the blu tooth/phone, mainly the search and secondary the volume...

Hope I'm making sense... hehe.

Thanks

[gahammerle]

Originally Posted by Cabrera

Question.... how hard and what would i need to do to reverse the controls?

Easy - just remove the steering wheel and remount upside down.

[Darth Martel]

*edit* reread your post and you were talking about the steering wheel. Funny man... funny.


Actually, I looked just a bit ago when I went out for lunch and that won't work either. The switches are odd shaped and are not perfectly pie shaped. You can't take the one from the left and move it to the right and it'll just be upside down. Look closely at the shapes. It just won't work.

Custom switches are the only way to get it to work but, then you're talking about an extra expense and for what kind of return you're going to get out of it, I just don't see the justification.

In my opinion, just learn to live with it.

Originally Posted by gahammerle

Easy - just remove the steering wheel and remount upside down.

[Cabrera]

Originally Posted by gahammerle

Easy - just remove the steering wheel and remount upside down.

lol

Originally Posted by Darth Martel

*edit* reread your post and you were talking about the steering wheel. Funny man... funny.


Actually, I looked just a bit ago when I went out for lunch and that won't work either. The switches are odd shaped and are not perfectly pie shaped. You can't take the one from the left and move it to the right and it'll just be upside down. Look closely at the shapes. It just won't work.

Custom switches are the only way to get it to work but, then you're talking about an extra expense and for what kind of return you're going to get out of it, I just don't see the justification.

In my opinion, just learn to live with it.

i figured cuz they are a bit of od shapes. K, I'm full of questions....

it is possible to just swap the search button and wiring? leaving the volume and the blu tooth in original place?
would this really screw up the cruise control?
can a switch from a manual work on a auto?... i ask, cuz i would take the switch apart and just use the parts themselves.

Sorry to be a pain.

[Darth Martel]

No you can't do that because those switches are specific to that side of the harness. Pressing a button changes the resistance the BCM sees and the BCM will act accordingly. Changing just those parts of the switch will just change the resistance seen by the BCM, which could be very confusing to the BCM.

The short answer to your question is no. Sorry.

[RedJewel2SS]

nice write up, could you PM me if you know if i can add the radio and bluetooth controls to my 2010 silverado LT?

[Cabrera]

Thank you, helps a lot not to venture and screw up!

[Murray86]

I just installed the steering wheel control on my 1LT today and it lights up. I have an appointment next week to get it to control the radio. Thanks for making this with such clear pictures and instructions.