[Spoolin335]

So i have a BMW Performance Steering Wheel and my multifuction buttons do not work. Everything to do with the performance steering wheel works, but not the multifunction buttons. The buttons do not light up when the headlights are on, so this leads me to believe there is no power to them. What i dont understand is, everything else on the steering wheel works. ie horn, performance steering wheel display and controls.

I took off the airbag and checked the wires, everything is hooked up. I also checked behind the coil spring and all the wires are attached correctly. I also checked under the passenger side glove box and all the wires are correct pertaining to the performance wheel install.

I compared everything to the "How To" for the performance wheel install, and everything looks correct.

I looked in the fuse box for a fuse that may pertain to the wheel buttons, but i dont really understand the symbols.
Does anyone know if there is a fuse for the steering wheel buttons?

I am not sure what else could be wrong...

[jimk]

Mine went off too, after a dealer visit to replace a bad rack and pinion and power steering pump. The dealer blames the software update and even with PUMA case, it is still not fixed. This i btw on a stock steering wheel. I took it to a friend who has an Autologic unit and there was a fault for the steering switch. I still have not taken it...let us know what you find.

[Spoolin335]

bump... nobody?

[johnniewalker]

I have the same issue, did you end up finding what the problem was?

[Spoolin335]

I fixed mine, turns out one of the ribbons inside the coil spring cartridge was ripped off the connector. Bought a new coil spring and swapped it in. Works fine now.

FYI: the coil spring cartridge is the device that holds the wires that connect the MF Buttons to the wheel.

Just remove the wheel and you will be able to see it.

[johnniewalker]

Originally Posted by Spoolin335

I fixed mine, turns out one of the ribbons inside the coil spring cartridge was ripped off the connector. Bought a new coil spring and swapped it in. Works fine now.

FYI: the coil spring cartridge is the device that holds the wires that connect the MF Buttons to the wheel.

Just remove the wheel and you will be able to see it.

Thanks for the reply.
Can you specify in the picture which part do you mean by the "ribbon" ?

[Spoolin335]

You are almost there.
So to see the ribbons, you will need to take the coil spring cartridge off. There is 4 hex nuts that you take off then it will slide out. Dont forget to remove the cable on the back right hand side. Its a small clip.

You can see the 4 hex nuts in this photo


To get at the ribbon take a flat head screwdriver and pop the little clips off the coil spring front cover and you will be able to see the ribbon wires inside.

If none of the ribbons are ripped off then thats not your problem.
Make sure that then you put it back on, the coil spring is centered. There should be 6 full turns from one full lock turn to the other. So you will want to center it at 3 turns.

The ribbon cable i am talking about is inside the cartridge and looks like this:
Only there is 4 or 5 of them and once they are ripped, you are hooped and will need to buy a new coil spring cartridge.


The clips and screws are circled in red in this photo.

[johnniewalker]

Thanks a lot buddy, I found out that i have the same exact issue. I don't know how the ribbon inside the coil spring cartridge could have been damaged since i haven't open it, plus mine was new from the dealer.

I went twice to speedster to have them check it for me, which cost me 100+ in labor, went to bimmersport and they told me it needed coding, which cost me $50 and did not fix it anything, (the official pdf says it doesnt need any coding)

Today i took the time to check the ribbon as you told me and turns out that you were right. You saved me tons of headaches.

[Spoolin335]

Glad you got it fixed!
Dealer told me the same thing about my performance wheel; that it needed to be coded.
I remember reading in the instructions that it doesnt need to be coded so i knew something else was wrong..

[Thumperx]

Originally Posted by Spoolin335

Glad you got it fixed!
Dealer told me the same thing about my performance wheel; that it needed to be coded.
I remember reading in the instructions that it doesnt need to be coded so i knew something else was wrong..

Both of your dealer and Indy are talking through their asses regarding coding for the electronic Performance steering wheel (EPSW). I doesn't require coding.

I can understand breaking the coil spring unit because I've broken mine too. Tracked one down, X5 or equivalent model with heat steering uses the same part number coil spring, and installed the new unit. Voila, back in the steering business again.

[Thumperx]

Originally Posted by Spoolin335

Glad you got it fixed!
Dealer told me the same thing about my performance wheel; that it needed to be coded.
I remember reading in the instructions that it doesnt need to be coded so i knew something else was wrong..

Both of your dealer and Indy are talking through their asses regarding coding for the electronic Performance steering wheel (EPSW). I doesn't require coding.

I can understand breaking the coil spring unit because I've broken mine too. Tracked one down, X5 or equivalent model with heat steering uses the same part number coil spring, and installed the new unit. Voila, back in the steering business again.

[bmwmick]

It's NOT a 'coil' spring, it's the CLOCK SPRING. Every car has one.

[Spoolin335]

BMW Part number associated with that part calls it a coil spring. So to not confuse everyone it's a coil spring, not a clock spring.

[whiteout123]

anyone have the part number for the BMW Performance steering wheel clock spring. Need to replace.

[stickz23]

Same thing happened to my wheel after dealer visit. I followed this thread and confirmed
my ribbon is torn. Dealer doesn't sell the ribbon alone, anyone know where I can buy one?

I've considered even soldering the ribbon.

[woggledog]

This is a really old thread, for which I apologise, but, after having my evaporator changed by my local BMW garage, the lights on mine have also stopped working. I've taken it in to have it checked and it appears that the airbag ring (?) can sheer the ribbon cable when taking off / replacing

The part is indeed called a Coil Spring Cartridge:

Connecting line airbag / coil spring 1 02/2006 32306777641 $25.05
only in conjunction with
-- Coil spring cartridge _ 61316989557

As per: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...05&hg=32&fg=35

This is being replaced shortly

[PhaseP]

One way this can be ripped off is not putting it back with the same position as the steering wheel. The coil has same number of turns as the steering wheel. For instance, if coil was wound one turn to right and steering wheel was at center at installation, then a full turn to left of the steering wheel will tear it off.

[MiniXP]

Originally Posted by PhaseP

One way this can be ripped off is not putting it back with the same position as the steering wheel. The coil has same number of turns as the steering wheel. For instance, if coil was wound one turn to right and steering wheel was at center at installation, then a full turn to left of the steering wheel will tear it off.

That would cause a different issue I think, or at least additional issues. The whole clock spring would get screwed up if that happened.

My car is having the same issue with the buttons too. I think it is just an issue with e90s that the ribbon cable wears out sometimes.

[35d]

I have same issue on e60 msport steering wheel

Is it hard to get steering centred after removing clock spring ?

[expl0de]

I oppened 1 damaged coil spring and there are two ribbon cables and safety strip that is shorter than the cables and must be torn first, to be possible to damage the important parts. The easyest way to damage it is, if you turn it once or more when out and then put it back on the car. Then it will have less movement in that direction than the steering rack and more in the other. If someone played with the part to see how it works that is the result.
Before removing the st wheel, the car wheels must be centered. Key out of the ignition. Then it is safe to remove everything. Coil spring has a tab, that locks it. This tab is normaly pressed by st wheel. After removing it is locked unless you press that tab and rotate it. Dont mess with it and it is completely safe and easy to replace.
Sorry for my bad english.

[knightrider5000]

This thread helped me out. My 2011 BMW 535i steering wheel functions all went out, I made a video on how I fixed it here:

I had to resolder the cables behind the slip ring clock spring. The BMW dealer wanted over $2,000 usd for a new steering column they dont sell the ribbon cables as a replacment.

[fourijm]

Hi
I was watching your video on how to fix the steering wheel control switches(ribbon cable) broke, and was wondering if you bought the ribbon cable seperately or if you bought the cassette "SLIP RING COIL SPRING STEERING COLUMN SWITCH BLOCK" as sold by e-bay.
Regards
JM Fourie
fourijm@gmail.com