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I just changed the OEM steering wheel on a 2012 3-LT to a D-shaped custom wheel. Swap was very easy using the same OEM air bag assembly with no problems. After reconnecting the battery and starting the car the air bag light flashed and stays on. Restarted the car several times but the same result. The two air bag plugs were properly installed in exactly the same position as they were removed then rechecked for proper connection. Does the car need to be driven air a while to correct it's self? Any suggestions on what may be going on?
Sounds like you broke the clockspring when changing the wheels.
The air bag assembly released easy and snapped back into place very easy on reassembly but I will recheck and see if that may be the problem.
The clock spring was never removed in the swap. Only the rectangular white plug that operates the radio controls and the two air bag plugs, nothing else. The D-wheel came with all the controls installed so it was a plug and play. I don't know how I could have broken the clock spring? could it be anything else?
Last edited by cmonkey713; 05-04-2016 at 06:19 PM.
Would there be any other reasons I'm getting the air bag light? The clock spring was never removed, the plugs reattached to the original OEM air bag. I'm at a loss on this.
You asked, we answered. It's the clockspring. If you don't like our answer, no hard feelings. Go get the car checked by a dealer and have them tell you it's the clockspring. Good luck with the repair.
For the steering wheel air bag module, you had 2 locking tab clips (yellow) on my car, that had to be lifted or removed so you could get the connectors off the air bag module.
If those locking tab clips were not re-installed, or they are not pushed down all the way and seated, the air bag light will stay on until they are seated correctly.
Here is a pic of those locking clips. There's a good chance that that is the issue.
You asked, we answered. It's the clockspring. If you don't like our answer, no hard feelings. Go get the car checked by a dealer and have them tell you it's the clockspring. Good luck with the repair.
Just trying to cover any other reasons I'm seeing the light. We will have it checked and respond back here on what the issue is. Thanks
Based on further research and help from Forum member LV2TOUR the TSB that references the issue is # 08-09-41-002 (June 10, 2010). The CPA (Locking Tabs) are referenced a GM # 54590003-PKG. These are reported to come in a package of 5 and are available from Kent Moore at 1-800-GM-TOOLS.
According to the bulletin the clips not only hold the air bag plugs in place but also act as a "Position Sensor" by applying pressure to the plug telling the system the air bag is properly connected. there are posts where this was the issue with the air bag light staying on. Based on the bulletin and posts this is most likely my problem. Now I just need to find the clips.
Found two lock tabs at a local chevy dealer. They don'thave a specific part number because they are a part of a "Tool Repair Tray" that is not a GM item but supplied by an outside vendor. to GM. Luck would have it a tech at the dealership had two extra which they gave me. I will change out the clips tonight and report on the outcome.
Last edited by cmonkey713; 05-05-2016 at 03:31 PM.
Based on further research and help from Forum member LV2TOUR the TSB that references the issue is # 08-09-41-002 (June 10, 2010). The CPA (Locking Tabs) are referenced a GM # 54590003-PKG. These are reported to come in a package of 5 and are available from Kent Moore at 1-800-GM-TOOLS.
According to the bulletin the clips not only hold the air bag plugs in place but also act as a "Position Sensor" by applying pressure to the plug telling the system the air bag is properly connected. there are posts where this was the issue with the air bag light staying on. Based on the bulletin and posts this is most likely my problem. Now I just need to find the clips.
Removed the air bag again and popped out the OEM CPA lock clips. Yep, one of the lock clips had one of the two long tines broken. Installed the new GM lock clips, popped the air bag back in, reconnected the battery, started the car and after the red air bag light blinked five or six times it went out. I cycled the start/stop procedure several times and all is good. It was that one little broken tine on one of the CPA lock clips that caused the problem.
A big thanks to all that posted on this issue, maybe we can save someone else some frustration in the future.
Removed the air bag again and popped out the OEM CPA lock clips. Yep, one of the lock clips had one of the two long tines broken. Installed the new GM lock clips, popped the air bag back in, reconnected the battery, started the car and after the red air bag light blinked five or six times it went out. I cycled the start/stop procedure several times and all is good. It was that one little broken tine on one of the CPA lock clips that caused the problem.
A big thanks to all that posted on this issue, maybe we can save someone else some frustration in the future.
Congrats on fixing the issue!
Did you buy the new CPA lock clips from 1-800-GM-Tools or somewhere else?
Congrats on fixing the issue!
Did you buy the new CPA lock clips from 1-800-GM-Tools or somewhere else?
The CPA lock clips were a gift from a local Chevrolet dealer because they could find no part number except for the "service tray" which they are included in.
The parts guy went out into the shop and asked a tech if he had a couple of "these things" as shown in the picture. They also discovered that the parts department needs to stock the CPA locks. Sometimes you just get lucky.
The CPA lock clips were a gift from a local Chevrolet dealer because they could find no part number except for the "service tray" which they are included in.
The parts guy went out into the shop and asked a tech if he had a couple of "these things" as shown in the picture. They also discovered that the parts department needs to stock the CPA locks. Sometimes you just get lucky.
Sometimes things just work out
Glad to hear that they did for you
When I changed my steering wheel, I was really careful with those CPA clips. I didn't completely removed them, just raised them up off the connectors enough so the connectors would come off.
When I changed my steering wheel, I was really careful with those CPA clips. I didn't completely removed them, just raised them up off the connectors enough so the connectors would come off.
I'm that guy. Just put a new alcantara wheel on and my air bag light is on. I knew I broke one of those clips but didn't thing much of it until reading this. Super helpful thread, much appreciated.
05-04-2016, 05:56 PM
Help: Air Bag Light After Steering Wheel Change
Sometimes things just work out