Chevrolet Trax: Heated steering wheel malfunction

Diagnostic Instructions

• Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
• Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
• Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit/System Description

The heated steering wheel control module controls the heated steering wheel and the heated steering wheel ON indicator based on an input from the heated steering wheel switch. When the heated steering wheel switch is pressed, the switch signal circuit is pulled to ground. This indicates to the heating steering wheel control module that steering wheel heat is requested. When the request is seen, the heated steering wheel control module supplies voltage to the indicator lamp and supplies voltage to the heating elements, which are internal to the steering wheel.

Diagnostic Aids

• Before replacing the steering wheel for complaints of not getting hot enough, a reliable infrared temperature gun should be used to measure the temperature at various points around the rim. The steering wheel's normal operating temperature is 32ºC (89.6ºF) and takes approximately 10 min to reach that temperature. It may take up to 20 min for the normal operating temperature to stabilize within the steering wheel rim. There may be spike in temperature during the first 3-4 min before it stabilizes at normal operating temperature. The steering wheel will take longer to heat up if the vehicle temperature is below - 21ºC (-5.8ºF). The steering wheel heater will not operate when the steering wheel temperature is above 32ºC (89.6ºF).

Fig. 2: Identifying Infrared Measurement Point

• The infrared measurements are made at the rim (1) at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions of the steering wheel.

Fig. 3: Temperature Measurement Points

• The wood sections and the stitching are not heated. Temperature measurements should not be made on the face (1) to insure accurate temperature readings.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Steering Wheel Schematics (Encore)

Connector End View Reference

WIRING SYSTEMS AND POWER MANAGEMENT - COMPONENT CONNECTOR END VIEWS - INDEX - ENCORE WIRING SYSTEMS AND POWER MANAGEMENT - COMPONENT CONNECTOR END VIEWS - INDEX - TRAX

Description and Operation

Steering Wheel and Column Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

• Circuit Testing
• Connector Repairs
• Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
• Wiring Repairs

Circuit/System Verification

Using an Infrared Temperature Gun

1. Engine running, all accessories OFF.
2. Verify the steering wheel heater switch is OFF and the steering wheel heater indicator should not be illuminated.

• If the heater indicator is illuminated

Refer to Heated Steering Wheel Indicator Malfunction

• If the heater indicator is not illuminated

Fig. 4: Steering Wheel Rim Measurement Point

NOTE: The Infrared Temperature Gun should be within 50.8mm (2 in) and parallel to the steering wheel rim when taking temperature readings.

3. Measure the temperature readings at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions on the steering wheel rim (1).
4. Verify that the steering wheel temperature is 25ºC (77ºF) or below.

• If the steering wheel temperature is greater than 25ºC (77ºF)

Allow the steering wheel to cool before proceeding to next step.

• If the steering wheel temperature is 25ºC (77ºF) or below

5. Press and release the steering wheel heater switch. The steering wheel heater indicator should illuminate.

   Allow the steering wheel to heat for a minimum of 10 min so that the temperature stabilizes.

• If the heater indicator does not illuminate

Refer to Heated Steering Wheel Indicator Malfunction

• If the heater indicator illuminates

Fig. 5: Steering Wheel Rim Measurement Point

NOTE: The Infrared Temperature Gun should be within 50.8mm (2 in) and parallel to the steering wheel rim when taking temperature readings.

6. Measure the temperature readings at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions on the steering wheel rim (1).
7. Verify that the steering wheel temperature is greater than 28ºC (82.4ºF) within 20 min.

• If after 20 minutes the measured temperature is less than 28ºC (82.4ºF)

Refer to Circuit System Testing.

• If after 20 minutes the measured temperature is 28ºC (82.4ºF) or greater

8. All OK.

Circuit/System Testing

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X2 harness connector at the K32 Heated Steering Wheel Control Module.
2. Test for less than 10 ohms between the ground terminal 2 and ground.

If 10 ohms or greater

1. Ignition OFF.
2. Test for less than 2 ohms in the ground circuit end to end.

• If 2 ohms or greater, repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.
• If less than 2 ohms, repair the open/high resistance in the ground connection.

If less than 10 ohms

3. Ignition ON.
4. Verify a test lamp illuminates between the B+ terminal 1 and ground.

If the test lamp does not illuminate and the circuit fuse is good

1. Ignition OFF, remove the test lamp.
2. Test for less than 2 ohms in the ignition circuit end to end.

• If less than 2 ohms, verify the fuse is OK and there is voltage at the fuse. Refer to Power Mode Mismatch .
• If 2 ohms or greater

3. Verify the in-line fuse is OK and there is voltage at the fuse.

• If the in-line fuse is blown, replace the K32 Steering Wheel Heating Control Module.
• If the in-line fuse is OK, repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.

If the test lamp does not illuminate and the circuit fuse is open

1. Ignition OFF, remove the test lamp.
2. Test for infinite resistance between the ignition circuit and ground.

• If less than infinite resistance, repair the short to ground on the circuit.
• If infinite resistance, replace the K32 Steering Wheel Heating Control Module.

If the test lamp illuminates

5. Ignition OFF, connect the X2 harness connector. Disconnect the X3 harness connector at the K32 heated steering wheel control module.
6. Ignition ON, test for less than 10 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 1 and ground.

If 10 ohms or greater

1. Ignition OFF.
2. Test for less than 2 ohms in the ground circuit end to end.

• If 2 ohms or greater, repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.
• If less than 2 ohms, replace the A26 HVAC Controls.

If less than 10 ohms

7. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 2 and ground.
8. Verify the test lamp does not illuminate with the heated steering wheel control switch in the OFF position.

If the test lamp illuminates

1. Ignition OFF, remove the test lamp.
2. Test for less than 1 V between the control circuit and ground

• If 1 V or greater, repair the short to voltage on the circuit
• If less than 1 V, replace the A26 HVAC Controls.

If the test lamp does not illuminate

9. Place the heated steering wheel control switch in the ON position.

NOTE: The test lamp will illuminate very dim.

10. Verify the test lamp illuminates.

If the test lamp does not illuminate

1. Ignition OFF, remove the test lamp.
2. Test for infinite resistance between the ignition circuit and ground.

• If less than infinite resistance, repair the short to ground on the circuit.
• If infinite resistance

3. Test for less than 2 ohms in the ground circuit end to end.

• If 2 ohms or greater, repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.
• If less than 2 ohms, replace the A26 HVAC Controls.

If the test lamp illuminates

11. Ignition OFF, test for less than 10 ohms between the ground circuit listed below and ground.

• Terminal B X1 on the module harness side
• Terminal D X1 on the module harness side

• If 10 ohms or greater

1. Ignition OFF.
2. Test for less than 2 ohms in the ground circuit end to end.

• If 2 ohms or greater, repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.
• If less than 2 ohms, repair the open/high resistance in the ground connection.

If less than 10 ohms

12. Test for 6000-35000 ohms between the signal terminal A X1 and the ground terminal B X1 on the heated steering wheel harness side.

If not within the specified range

Replace the E15 Steering Wheel Heater.

If within the specified range

13. Test for 1.5-3.0 ohms between the control circuit terminal C X1 and the ground terminal D X1 on the heated steering wheel harness side.

If not within the specified range

Replace the E15 Steering Wheel Heater.

If within the specified range

14. Replace the K32 Steering Wheel Heat Control Module.

Component Testing

Heated Steering Wheel

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X1 harness connector at the heated steering wheel.
2. Test for 6000-35000 ohms between the signal terminal A and the ground terminal B.

If not within the specified range

Replace the E15 Steering Wheel Heater.

3. Test for 1.5-3.0 ohms between the control circuit terminal C and the ground terminal D.

If not within the specified range

Replace the E15 Steering Wheel Heater.

If within the specified range

4. All OK.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the repair.

Control Module References for heated steering wheel control module and HVAC controls replacement, programming, and setup.

HIGH TELESCOPING EFFORT

NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN

Noise in Steering Column

LOOSENESS IN STEERING COLUMN

Looseness in Steering Column

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