sparky123321
Full Access Member
I had arranged to buy a complete steering column(with cruise and audio controls) and the cruise control actuator off a 2003 for my 2002 Sport. They wanted $75 for the column and $35 for the actuator. Very reasonable. When I went to pull the parts today the actuator only took 10 or 15 minutes to pull. The steering column was a mess though. It had no key, lots of wear and was spinning free since the rack and pinion had already been pulled. Figured the clock spring was toast. I decided to just take the cruise and audio controls instead of taking the time to pull the whole column. I only really wanted the controls anyway, but they would only sell the entire column. When I went in to settle up I told them I only took what I needed, but I was fine with paying the full price we agreed on. Long story short they only charged me $50 for everything.
Now to the install. I was so disappointed when I pulled my airbag and saw that my clock spring only had 3 pins and the one I pulled it from had I believe all 6. Well, I immediately ordered a new clock spring, but decided to install everything including the rear audio controls while everything was apart.
After I had everything back together with the 3 pin clock spring I wanted to take it for a test ride to make sure there wasn't going to be any problem with having everything installed except the new 6 pin clock spring. SURPRISE SURPRISE!!! I started pushing the cruise buttons just for the heck of it and the cruise light came on. I couldn't get it to engage though. I kept driving and kept pushing buttons. It was actually working, but wouldn't engage until I hit 35 mph. I don't know if that's normal or not. Also the resume doesn't work unless I'm going at least 30 mph. The cruise light always stays green when on. Not sure if that's normal either. My other cars do something to show whether cruise is active(engaged) or not. Some turn red, others show a tick mark above the cruise symbol. Honestly though, I'm just happier than a pig in your know what.
Thought I was going to need the dealer to reset the cruise to get everything working whether or not I had enough pins in the clock spring from what I've read on the forums. My brother that's been a mechanic his whole life told me earlier in the day that he didn't believe that was true. As long as it was just a reset and not the dealer having to go in to add components, he said just disconnecting the BCM for 10-15 minutes should do it. I never disconnected the BCM, but I did have the battery disconnected for a few hours so I'm guessing that accomplished the same "reset".
I'm still going to install the new clock spring because I'm guessing those other pins are required for the rear audio controls. I'll do a little research before I open up the box though.
All in all, it was a great day!!!
Now to the install. I was so disappointed when I pulled my airbag and saw that my clock spring only had 3 pins and the one I pulled it from had I believe all 6. Well, I immediately ordered a new clock spring, but decided to install everything including the rear audio controls while everything was apart.
After I had everything back together with the 3 pin clock spring I wanted to take it for a test ride to make sure there wasn't going to be any problem with having everything installed except the new 6 pin clock spring. SURPRISE SURPRISE!!! I started pushing the cruise buttons just for the heck of it and the cruise light came on. I couldn't get it to engage though. I kept driving and kept pushing buttons. It was actually working, but wouldn't engage until I hit 35 mph. I don't know if that's normal or not. Also the resume doesn't work unless I'm going at least 30 mph. The cruise light always stays green when on. Not sure if that's normal either. My other cars do something to show whether cruise is active(engaged) or not. Some turn red, others show a tick mark above the cruise symbol. Honestly though, I'm just happier than a pig in your know what.
Thought I was going to need the dealer to reset the cruise to get everything working whether or not I had enough pins in the clock spring from what I've read on the forums. My brother that's been a mechanic his whole life told me earlier in the day that he didn't believe that was true. As long as it was just a reset and not the dealer having to go in to add components, he said just disconnecting the BCM for 10-15 minutes should do it. I never disconnected the BCM, but I did have the battery disconnected for a few hours so I'm guessing that accomplished the same "reset".
I'm still going to install the new clock spring because I'm guessing those other pins are required for the rear audio controls. I'll do a little research before I open up the box though.
All in all, it was a great day!!!