Interior button lights

[johndjmix1]

Little by little I have been losing the button illumination on my h2. First it was the diff lock then the 4 full time button under it. Now I have also lost the recurlate button on the climate control and the little gas pump and "I" button on the steering wheel

this seems odd for a 3 year old vehicle with only 40k miles. Any ideas? Anyone else notice similar bulb issues? Anyone got advice on getting the steering wheel buttons out so I can replace the bulbs?

--John

[johndjmix1]

Interestingly enough my bulb in my boost gauge went out too. Now that's only a year or so old with only about 6000 miles on the truck since then. Weird. Possibly an over voltage condition? Where's the voltage regulator these days? Same as old school gm built into the altenator?(too lazy to look as it's snowing and raining here).

--John

[HumminNBoatin']

I have had the same issues. Over time the bulbs go out and I just replace the buttons as the lights go out. The steering wheel ones are pretty easy to replace. Just get a small flat head screwdriver and pry them out. and CAREFULLY unplug the harness from the back of the switches. Its a short lead as well.

[Luv2Camp]

Originally Posted by HumminNBoatin'

I have had the same issues. Over time the bulbs go out and I just replace the buttons as the lights go out. The steering wheel ones are pretty easy to replace. Just get a small flat head screwdriver and pry them out. and CAREFULLY unplug the harness from the back of the switches. Its a short lead as well.

The best way to replace the switches is to remove the steering wheel first. Next remove the plastic cover on the backside of the steering wheel and you can now move the wire harness to each side as you pull the switches out. You will have more wire to work with and can pull the switch and the harness out a few inches this way. This eliminates the possibility of braking the plastic retainer on the switch and makes it really easy to install the new one.

Also, it is best to use a small curved pick and push the switch out from inside of the steering wheel versus prying it out (or use a visegrip and pull the switch from the area that sticks up between the buttons when they are depressed. I have seen some of these steering wheels split when someone tries to pry the switch out. The area around the switch is just foam....

[HumminNBoatin']

Yeah your method is probably involves allot less risk but is much more time consuming. So if you are a novice at working on Auto Interiors the Luv2camp is no doubt the way to go.

However I used to install car stereos professionally while in highschool and know my way around interiors pretty well.

[johndjmix1]

Doesnt removing the wheel involve airbag issues? Ive installed superchargers, done suspensions, but never removed an airbag. Help!

--John

[twr]

hi i few pointers if removing the steering wheel, remove neg. battery connection and let it sit for about 3 mins before you start and remove the air bag fuses. Also make sure to leave the steering columin locked so it will not screw up the clock spring. Also be careful with the air bag always sit it down in the up right position.

[RCKSTR]

the diff lock button on my 03 does not light up.. is it supposed to? The other lights for the transfercase burnt out, took about an hour but I got it apart and soldered new bulbs onto the board...

[Luv2Camp]

Originally Posted by johndjmix1

Doesnt removing the wheel involve airbag issues? Ive installed superchargers, done suspensions, but never removed an airbag. Help!

--John

Really easy. There is a small hole on each side of the steering wheel plastic cover. Push a small pick or screwdriver in each side and slight pull up on the bag and it will release. There is one plug to remove the air bag and one for the horn (you have to push in and turn the one for the horn) To put it back together just plug it in and press the bag back into the wheel until it snaps in. If not comfortable, leave it to the pros. Mess that bag or the clockspring up and you will have spent way more than you would have to get the switches done at Hummer! Also need to be carful about handling and static charges around the bagt. Google air bad deployment and you will see you could get killed if one of thise goes off while you are handling.

[timgco]

Don;t forget to unhook your battery for 40 minutes before you jump into it. At least, that's what my dealer told me to do when I replaced my steering wheel.