Hey everybody, new to the forums, but long time lover of the Firebird. My current 'bird is a 2000 v6 with the Monsoon system...hunting some chrome rims...but I digress...I'm in need of a little help, and I was hoping one of y'all would be so kind.

As the title says, I broke the "Seek" button on my wheel...how do I go about replacing the silly thing? I've taken it out from the front...but those wires don't seem to stretch quite far enough for me to get my fingers at that coupler.

Also wondering if any of you may know of where I could find a replacement for it too!

I've always been a stickler for a well kept and intact interior...and this thing is bugging me to no end. Any help would be huge

 

if it is the same as a 99 Camaro SS I have a perfect pair i'll sell ya for $30.00 shipped.

 

Alright, I may have to take you up on that offer. We're watching a couple on eBay at the moment...I'll let you know how that goes. Any tips on how to change them out?

 

looked like to me they just plug into the back

 

Oh, they do just plug in the back...but it doesn't come out quite far enough to get to the coupler. I read somewhere that one would have to remove the airbag to get to the wiring...but I really don't want to do that!

 

Alright, I won a pair of buttons off of eBay, that's good...

Now, can someone, please, pretty please, give me some info on how to change these pesky wheel radio control buttons? Thanks much in advance!

 

Some will tell you to remove the airbag (after unhooking it first, of course!)

I didn't have to do that, and removed both the left and right buttons from my '99 TA Firehawk's steering wheel (to replace burnt out lights). I pulled them out just far enough with my fingers to allow access to the back with a jewelers screwdriver. Unclipped the wires, and they popped right out.

It takes patience, and being careful, but I was able to remove both without affecting the air bag at all. You should have just enough wiring length inside the wheel to allow the buttons to come out about a 1/2", which is all I needed.

 

So you used a tiny screwdriver to push the lock-clip down on the coupler...that sounds like a plan.

But how'd you manage to plug the coupler back together?

 

Same way, I just put the button close to the wire, carefully fed the connection into place, gently pressed with the screwdriver, click. Done. I had just enough play in the wire to do this, without taking the airbag off. Another owner, however, was unable to do this, and insisted to me that he had to take the airbag off to get access. Every car is a little different, I guess.

 

I'm one of those who will tell you to just remove the airbag. It's not hard, and takes just a few minutes to do and you're done.

 

Alright...going about removing the airbag...I assume there's what, four bolts behind the steering wheel?

Will I want to disconnect the coupler to the air bag...or is there enough slack?

The last thing I want is an airbag to the face ^_^

 

To remove the airbag I would first make sure that the steering wheel is turned so that the top of the steering wheel faces the drivers side door, the bottom faces the opposite way and the controls face the floor and ceiling so you can get to the two bolts on the back of the steering wheel easier. Next, disconnect the positive terminal on the battery and remove the airbag fuse in the fusebox to avoid any unpleasant 'airbag to the face' type accidents. On the back of the steering wheel there are two 'star' style bolts that hold the steering wheel on. Remove those and pull the airbag out and disconnect the connector on the back of the steering wheel and set it aside. Then you can just pop out the steering wheel control modules and replace them and then put the airbag back on.

 

Hey all, I was able to remove and replace it, thanks for all your help. I didn't remove the airbag, I took it out from the front and used a tiny screwdriver to unhook the coupler.

Getting it back installed was a bit tricker...I took it to a mechanic friend who used a long, thin, bent screwdriver to work the coupler back in for me

Thanks again!

 

Happy to help.

FYI, when (not if) the buttons don't light up anymore, all that has happened is the tiny bulb inside has burnt out.

Happened to me, on both sides. I removed the buttons, opened them up, and discovered the problem (the burnt out bulb, its under a little red "hat")

I purchased a 12V bulb from an electronic store, and had a tv repair shop solder it in. Total cost? About $2 in total.

It was a lot cheaper than buying new buttons from GM for about $100.

I did both sides, and they have been good for more than 2 years now.