multifunction steering wheel question - BMW Forum

mikehoff · 03-06-2006, 12:26 PM

hello all.

i drive a 1999 323i and would like to replace the steering wheel. the stock wheel i have now has no multifunction buttons, but i'm looking at the sport wheel with multifunction (its all that is available).

the car is bare bones - no criuse, trip computer etc. I am wondering if the multifunction wheel would somehow magically unlock some of these functions. if not - i dont care. Just wondering in my ignorance if perhaps, it might happen.

thanks in advance.

drz · 03-06-2006, 12:47 PM

I am sorry to break these new to you, but replacing the steering wheel will not provide any additional functionalities. I imagine you have done your research, but perhaps there is a three-spoke wheel with no buttons that you can get for the e46.Personally, I prefer the clean look over the buttons.

mikehoff · 03-06-2006, 12:49 PM

thanks for the reply. i couldn't care less about the buttons. i just care about how the wheel feels in my hands!

Ocean02 · 03-06-2006, 02:52 PM

What does it consist of to install a "sport" wheel on the E46? I really like the look of this 3 spoke style. Where does one purchase this?

IveGotIssues666 · 03-07-2006, 07:53 AM

And answer your question. No it won't just magically unlock there is a wiing harness you will need to make or get from the dealer. But it only consists of 3 wires and is fairly easy to do if you do want the additional buttons.

Ocean02 · 03-08-2006, 06:21 PM

So you're saying that if you get the wiring harness from the dealer, and hook it up that the car will now have cruise control?

drz · 03-09-2006, 08:27 AM

^^ If he is saying that, he is wrong. No, the wiring harness does not do that. One might be able to get the radio control functionality if the correct wiring harness is used, but even that is just a maybe.

IveGotIssues666 · 03-12-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drz

^^ If he is saying that, he is wrong. No, the wiring harness does not do that. One might be able to get the radio control functionality if the correct wiring harness is used, but even that is just a maybe.

Are you talking about me?

Anyways here is the retrofit pdf that I so kindly hosted for everyone.

http://www.angelfire.com/myband2/ds/3543en.pdf

Basicaly it consists of 3 wires in the harness total. BMW sells this but... the catch is it comes with the airbag that has the button so it's a retrofit kit and costs $$$.

The cars that do not come with the multifunctional wheel/buttons have a cruise control module but it just doesn't have the proper wire installed to make it work by just installing the buttons and the same goes for the radio controls I know because I have done this.

Theres a 10 pin connector to the slip ring andpin 8, 9, 10 are dedicated to the multifunction steering wheels harness 2 of the pins connect to 2 wires in the LCM's harness that you need to tap. Those are for the radio functions, and the 3rd pin connects to a empty pin slot in a 54 pin connector in the ECU box in the engine bay. That is for the cruise control function.

Jared