Flaky steering wheel controls on '92 GTP

[crazyd]

The radio buttons on my '92 GTP work intermittently. Either they all work or none of them works, so I know it's not the buttons themselves. Is this a fairly common problem? I found a translucent plastic box about the size of a pack of gum coming off the bottom of the column that I think is the control unit. Would this be the culprit or is it in the radio itself? Is it usually a cracked solder joint that can be repaired easily?

[1990lumina]

I'd say there is a dead short in the cable reel or contact pad (whatever those older columns used)

[EviLette]

The radio buttons on my '92 GTP work intermittently. Either they all work or none of them works, so I know it's not the buttons themselves. Is this a fairly common problem? I found a translucent plastic box about the size of a pack of gum coming off the bottom of the column that I think is the control unit. Would this be the culprit or is it in the radio itself? Is it usually a cracked solder joint that can be repaired easily?

 

I couldn't tell you if it's a common problem or not. I know my 92 GP has 205k on the chassis and the radio controls still work fine. Admittedly, though, I've had to break myself of the habit of punching my steering wheel to keep them working. ^^

[Regal_GS_1989]

They used a contact pad. The one on my old cutlass wore through, and in the process, broke off all of the little metal fingers on the signal switch. If you can, pull the wheel, and check out the contact pad. You might be able to get away with just cleaning it up. They usually get pretty grimy over the years.