Buick Regal: Heated Steering Wheel Malfunction
Diagnostic Instructions
- Perform the Diagnostic System Check prior to using this diagnostic
procedure:Diagnostic System
Check - Vehicle
- Review the description of Strategy Based Diagnosis:Strategy Based
Diagnosis
- An overview of each diagnostic category can be found here:Diagnostic
Procedure Instructions
Diagnostic Fault Information
1. Heated Steering Wheel = Always On
2. Heated Steering Wheel = Inoperative
Circuit/System Description
For an overview of the component/system, refer to:Steering Wheel and Column
Description and
Operation.
Diagnostic Aids
- Before replacing the steering wheel for complaints of not getting hot
enough, a reliable infrared
temperature gun should be used to measure the temperature at the 3 and 9
o'clock positions (1).
- The target temperature of the steering wheel heating is 30ºC (86ºF),
which can take up to 20 min
to reach.
- The steering wheel heating will not operate when the steering wheel
temperature is above 32ºC
(89.6ºF).
Reference Information
Schematic Reference
Steering Wheel Wiring Schematics
Connector End View Reference
COMPONENT CONNECTOR END VIEW INDEX
Electrical Information Reference
- Circuit Testing
- Connector Repairs
- Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
- Wiring Repairs
Circuit/System Verification
Infrared Temperature Gun
1. Ignition - On / Vehicle - In Service Mode.
2. Verify the component is not activated: Heated Steering Wheel Indicator.
- If the component activates
Refer to:Heated Steering Wheel Indicator Malfunction
- Go to next step: If the component does not activate
3. Verify the condition does not exist: Heated Steering Wheel = Greater than
25ºC (77ºF)
- If 25ºC (77ºF) or warmer
Allow the component to cool if warmer than 25ºC (77ºF).
- Go to next step: If colder than 25ºC (77ºF)
4. Operate the component: Heated Steering Wheel Switch - On and Off.
5. Verify the component turns On and Off: Heated Steering Wheel Indicator.
- If the component does not turn On and Off
Refer to:Heated Steering Wheel Indicator Malfunction
- Go to next step: If the component turns On and Off
6. Heated Steering Wheel Switch - On.
7. Wait for greater than 20 min.
8. Verify the condition does not exist: Heated Steering Wheel = Colder than
28ºC (82.4ºF)
- If colder than 28ºC (82.4ºF)
Refer to: Circuit/System Testing
- Go to next step: If 28ºC (82.4ºF) or warmer
9. All OK.
Circuit/System Testing
1. Ignition/Vehicle - Off.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector: X229@K32 Steering Wheel Heating Control
Module.
3. Test for less than 10 ohms between the test points: Ground circuit terminal 5
& Ground.
- Ignition/Vehicle - Off
- Test for less than 2 ohms between the test points: Ground circuit & The
other end of the circuit
- If 2 ohms or greater - Repair the open/high resistance in the
circuit.
- If less than 2 ohms - Repair the open/high resistance in the ground
connection.
- Go to next step: If less than 10 ohms
4. Ignition - On / Vehicle - In Service Mode.
5. Verify a test lamp turns On between the test points: Ignition circuit
terminal 3 & Ground.
- If the test lamp does not turn On and the circuit fuse is OK
- Ignition/Vehicle - Off & Remove - Test lamp
- Test for less than 2 ohms between the test points: Ignition circuit &
The other end of the circuit
- If 2 ohms or greater - Repair the open/high resistance in the
circuit.
- If less than 2 ohms - Verify the fuse is OK and there is voltage at
the fuse. Refer to:Power Mode Mismatch.
- If the test lamp does not turn On and the circuit fuse is open
- Ignition/Vehicle - Off
- Test for infinite resistance between the test points: Ignition circuit &
Ground
- If less than infinite resistance - Repair the short to ground on the
circuit.
- If less than infinite resistance - Replace the component: K32
Steering Wheel Heating
Control Module
- Go to next step: If the test lamp turns On
6. Ignition/Vehicle - Off.
7. Connect the electrical connector: X229@K32 Steering Wheel Heating Control
Module.
8. Disconnect the electrical connector: S70L Steering Wheel Controls Switch -
Left.
9. Test for less than 10 ohms between the test points: Ground circuit terminal 1
& Ground.
- Ignition/Vehicle - Off
- Test for less than 2 ohms between the test points: Ground circuit & The
other end of the circuit
- If 2 ohms or greater - Repair the open/high resistance in the
circuit.
- If less than 2 ohms - Repair the open/high resistance in the ground
connection.
- Go to next step: If less than 10 ohms
10. Ignition - On / Vehicle - In Service Mode.
11. Test for battery voltage between the test points: Signal circuit terminal 8
& Ground.
- If less than battery voltage
- Ignition/Vehicle - Off
- Disconnect the electrical connector: X229@K32 Steering Wheel Heating
Control Module
- Test for infinite resistance between the test points: Control Circuit &
Ground
- If less than infinite resistance - Repair the short to ground on the
circuit.
- Go to next step: If infinite resistance
- Test for less than 2 ohms between the test points: Control Circuit & The
other end of the
circuit
- If 2 ohms or greater - Repair the open/high resistance in the
circuit.
- If less than 2 ohms - Replace the component: K32 Steering Wheel
Heating Control
Module
- Go to next step: If battery voltage
12. Test for infinite resistance between the test points: S70L Steering Wheel
Controls Switch - Left -
Signal terminal 8 & Ground terminal 1 - Heated Steering Wheel Switch - Released
- If less than infinite resistance
Replace the component: S70L Steering Wheel Controls Switch - Left
- Go to next step: If infinite resistance
13. Test for less than 40 ohms between the test points: S70L Steering Wheel
Controls Switch - Left -
Signal terminal 8 & Ground terminal 1 - Heated Steering Wheel Switch - Pressed
Replace the component: S70L Steering Wheel Controls Switch - Left
- Go to next step: If less than 40 ohms
14. Connect the electrical connector: S70L Steering Wheel Controls Switch -
Left.
15. Disconnect the electrical connector: E15 Steering Wheel Heater.
16. Test for less than 10 ohms between the test points:
- Ground circuit terminal 1 & Ground
- Ground circuit terminal 4 & Ground
- If 10 ohms or greater
Repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.
- Go to next step: If less than 10 ohms
17. Test for 1.5 to 3.0 ohms between the test points: Control circuit
terminal 3 & Ground circuit terminal
4
- If not between 1.5 and 3.0 ohms
Replace the component: E15 Steering Wheel Heater
- Go to next step: If between 1.5 and 3.0 ohms
18. Test for 9 k to 12 kohms between the test points: Signal circuit terminal
2 & Ground circuit terminal
1
- If not between 9 k and 12 kohms
Replace the component: E15 Steering Wheel Heater
- Go to next step: If between 9 k and 12 kohms
19. Replace the component: K32 Steering Wheel Heating Control Module
Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the repair:
Diagnostic Repair Verification
- Cruise Control Switch Replacement
- For control module replacement, programming, and setup refer to: Control
Module References
HIGH TELESCOPING EFFORT
HIGH EFFORT WHILE TILTING COLUMN
NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN
LOOSENESS IN STEERING COLUMN
READ NEXT:
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J-38125-5A Ultra Torch Special Tool
J-38125-8 Splice Sleeve Crimping Tool (GMNA)
For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special T
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EL-35616 Terminal Test Probe Kit
For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools.
When the condition is not currently present, but is indicated in DTC history,
the cause may be in
SEE MORE:
Diagnostic Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this
diagnostic procedure.
Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic
approach.
Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each
diagnostic category.
Diagnostic Fault
Diagnostic Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this
diagnostic procedure.
Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic
approach.
Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provide an overview of each diagnostic
category.
DTC Descriptor
DTC