Steering wheel

Steering wheel

Leather steering wheel (without option code 289).

Wood/leather steering wheel for option code 289 - WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL.

Steering wheel airbag

Driver's airbag is mounted in the steering wheel.

A2204602498

A2204602598 for option code 289 - WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL

A2204602598 for option code 289 - WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL

A2204602698 for option code Y95 - STEERING WHEEL IN LEATHER-/DESIGNO-WOOD DESIGN

Part No.	Notes
A2204600298	To Date: 30/06/2000
A2204600398	From Date: 30/06/2000, To Date: 01/09/2002, Replaced by: A2204601598
A2204601598	From Date: 30/06/2000, To Date: 01/09/2002
A2204602498	From Date: 30/09/2002

For vehicles with option code 289 - WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL:

Part No.	Notes
A2204600898	To Date: 30/06/2000
A2204600998	From Date: 30/06/2000, To Date: 01/09/2002, Replaced by: A2204601698
A2204601698	From Date: 30/06/2000, To Date: 01/09/2002
A2204602598	From Date: 30/09/2002

For vehicles with option code Y95 - STEERING WHEEL IN LEATHER-/DESIGNO-WOOD DESIGN:

Part No.	Notes
A2204600898	To Date: 30/06/2000
A2204601498	From Date: 30/06/2000, Replaced by: A2204601798
A2204601798	From Date: 30/06/2000, Replaced by: A2204602698
A2204602698	From Date: 30/06/2000

Post-deployment

On airbag deployment the clock spring contact connector may melt (as shown in the photo below) and may require replacement of clock spring contact.

Steering wheel airbag after having been deployed.

Back of deployed steering wheel airbag.

Steering wheel buttons

Steering wheel buttons are attached to both sides of steering wheel airbag.

A2208207810 (to date 30/06/2000)

A2208215351 (to date 01/09/2002)

A2208210679 (from date 01/09/2002 (facelift))

A2208210679 (back)

A2208210679 left dissected.

Part No.	Notes
A2208207810	To Date: 30/06/2000
A2208215351	From Date: 30/06/2000, To Date: 01/09/2002
A2208210679	From Date: 30/09/2002

Sticky buttons

Steering wheel buttons in manufacturing phase have been covered with soft feel coating. However, when worn the soft feel coating is dissolving away and creates a sticky film on the buttons. A simple fix is to scrape off the sticky residue using finger nails. This will leave a nice smooth button. There is a subtle color tone change after the sticky layer is taken off, but it is barely noticeable.

Sticky buttons.

After cleaned.

There have been reports that "Goo Gone" is helpful for removing the coating. However, better try to avoid using solvents, because it is easy to scratch off the original paint also. It helps to leave the buttons in soap water (e.g., Fairy Washing Up Liquid) overnight. This will make scratching off the sticky part easier. Alternative recommendation is to use cooking oil and finger nails to clean the sticky stuff off.

Buttons in soap water.

Note: Don't try to clean the plastic frame to which the buttons attach. The color layer there is much thinner and too easily comes off along with the sticky coating.

A similar problem is observed also on light switch cover.

Sticky buttons on light switch.

DIY

Removing steering wheel combination switch

More detailed instructions from WIS are provided in the sections below.

Disconnect battery.

Unscrew airbag (2 screws (Torx 30)).

Lift out airbag.

Disconnect airbag.

Steering wheel with airbag removed.

Unscrew steering wheel.

Steering wheel angle marking.

Steering wheel removed.

Unscrew clock spring (3 screws (Torx 10)).

Remove clock spring.

Unscrew steering column module (Torx 30).

Remove steering column module.

Separate combination switch.

Dissect combination switch.

Combination switch removed.

Remove/install airbag unit on the steering wheel

1. Withdraw ignition key
2. Remove two (Torx 30) screws (arrow). At the same time hold the airbag unit.
3. Lift off the airbag unit from the steering wheel and detach the plug-in connector from the squib on the gas generator. Installation: Connector must be heard to engage when being plugged in.
4. Remove airbag unit from steering wheel.
5. Install in the reverse order. Installation: The steering wheel must always be replaced after the driver airbag unit has been triggered.
6. Check the automatic resetting of the combination switch.
7. Read out fault memory. Connect STAR DIAGNOSIS and read out fault memory.

Bolt, airbag to steering wheel - 8 Nm.

Informative:

• Risk of injury caused by performing testing or repair work on airbag or emergency tensioning retractor units. Store airbag units with deployment side facing up; do not expose to temperatures greater than 100 °C. When working on these units, disconnect the power supply.
• Assessment of airbag and belt tensioner units in accident vehicles (see below).
• Notes on performing repair, body work and welding on vehicles with airbags and ETR units (see below).
• Legal requirements on handling and storing airbags and emergency tensioning retractor units.
• Notes on disposing of airbag and emergency tensioning retractor units (see below).
• Make airbag units unusable

Assessment of airbag and belt tensioner units in accident vehicles

Following an accident:

• The airbag and emergency tensioning retractor restraint system is to be checked for external damage and defects and as to whether it has been triggered
• Defective or damaged components must be immediately replaced. Repair of these components is not permitted

The restraint system control unit must be replaced:

• If the housing is deformed or otherwise damaged
• If the console is deformed; even if the restraint system control unit appears to be in good condition externally
• If there is an electrical defect
• Or after the airbag has deployed three times

A new restraint system control unit must be programmed and parameterized after installation.

The airbag or emergency tensioning retractor units must be replaced:

• Following deployment
• If there is external damage (even without deployment)
• Or if there is an electrical defect

After the driver airbag has been deployed, the steering wheel and steering column tubes with crash element must be replaced. If axial play or a noise is detected at the steering column tube, this must also be replaced, even if the airbag was not deployed.

Proper function of the steering column tube is only guaranteed if the crash element is not damaged in any manner.

The dashboard must be replaced after the front passenger airbag has deployed.

The sidebag cover in the door lining and the side paneling must be replaced after the sidebag has been deployed. Otherwise the airbag cannot be guaranteed to function correctly.

Notes on performing repair, body work and welding on vehicles with airbags and ETR units

Before beginning with

• bodywork
• work on airbag or ETR units (removal, installation)
• work on components that are associated with the airbag and emergency tensioning retractor units or require access to their electric circuit, e.g. when removing the steering wheel, disconnect/insulate ground line from battery.

Before beginning with welding work

• Remove ignition key and disconnect/insulate ground line from battery
• Disconnect coupling from airbag control unit with ETR unit

For painting work

• involving force drying, there are no special safety regulations to observe. The airbag and emergency tensioning retractor units can withstand temperatures of up to 100oC without sustaining any damage.

For repair work

• Do not bring airbag and emergency tensioning retractor units into contact with grease, oil or cleaning agents
• Airbag or ETR units which have fallen from a height of more than 0.5 m must be replaced and must not be installed in a vehicle under any circumstances

In order to be able to install emergency tensioning retractor units free from damage and dirt, they have been provided with a PVC film protective sleeve. This protective device must be removed after assembly. To prevent the belt from being damaged in the process, do not use any sharp-edged tools.

After finishing the work on the airbag and emergency tensioning retractor units, the supplemental restraint system should always be checked using Star Diagnosis.

Notes on disposing of airbag and emergency tensioning retractor units

In the Federal Republic of Germany, the airbag and emergency tensioning retractor units must be rendered unusable according to the accident prevention and safety regulations and the EU Directive on End-of-life Vehicles.

Countries (A) (CH) (D): Airbag and emergency tensioning retractor units must be forwarded in their original packaging, via the familiar MeRSy disposal channel (Renz), for proper and environmentally-friendly scrapping.

In all countries except (A) (CH) (D) national regulations governing proper disposal need to be complied with. These safety precautions are necessary because pyrotechnic devices can inflict injuries when activated improperly.

Remove/install steering wheel

32c - Countersunk screw 32 - Steering wheel A45 - Fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact

1. Remove airbag unit from steering wheel (32)
2. Move steering wheel (32) to horizontal position. Front wheels in straight-ahead position.
3. Remove countersunk screw (32c), steadying steering wheel (32). Installation: Replace countersunk bolt (32c).
4. Remove steering wheel (32). Do not pay attention to the markings on the upper steering shaft. Installation: The front wheels must be in the straight-ahead position. Fit steering wheel (32) horizontally onto steering shaft. The recesses in the splines (arrows) run vertically.
5. Check fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) for damage. When the steering wheel (32) is detached, the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) must not be twisted, otherwise it will be damaged. Replace damaged fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45), see: Remove/install clock spring contact.
6. Install in the reverse order.
7. Conduct a road test.

Tests during the road test:

• Turn signal reset - When the steering wheel is offset by more than 1 tooth, satisfactory resetting of the turn signal is no longer guaranteed.
• Airbag indicator lamp - The SRS indicator lamp must not light up on full steering lock in both directions.
• Steering wheel position (32) - If the steering wheel (32) is crooked, adjust it by max. 1 tooth.

Bolts, steering wheel to steering shaft - 80 Nm.

Remove/install clock spring contact

32h - Mounting screw 34 - Steering column switch module A45 - Fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact

1. Remove steering wheel
2. Unscrew a mounting bolt (Torx 10) (32h) far enough so that the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) cannot be twisted. The mounting bolts (32h) act as both an anti-rotation device and an assembly aid.
3. Remove steering column tube switch module (34). Remove complete steering column switch module (34): Remove/install steering column module.
4. Unscrew remaining mounting bolts (32h) far enough so that the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) detaches from the steering column switch module (34).
5. Carefully remove fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) from steering column switch module (34). Installation: If the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) was twisted, e.g. with steering coupling removed, the center position must be set otherwise the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) will be damaged: Adjust center position of clock spring contact.
6. Check fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) for damage. Do not use oil or grease, as otherwise the function of the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) will be impaired. Perform visual inspection and if necessary replace fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45).
7. Install in the reverse order

Set the clock spring contact to center position

The center position of the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) is crucial for the trouble-free function of the airbag system and signaling system. When removed this is guaranteed by the screws (32h).

If the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) is nevertheless twisted, e.g. when the steering coupling is removed or when the screws are unscrewed completely (32h), the center position of the fanfare horns and airbag (A45) can be adjusted as per the following work procedure.

1. Remove fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45).
2. Screw the screws (32h) fully into the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45).
3. Turn the fanfare horns and airbag (A45) counterclockwise until a light resistance is detectable (the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) is rolled up completely).
4. Turn the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) approx. 3 to 3.5 revolutions clockwise (turn back) until the screws (32h) can be unscrewed again through the openings and the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) fixed in the center position. The total adjustment range of the fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact (A45) is 6 to 7 turns.

Remove/install steering angle sensor

1 - Bolt N49 - Steering angle sensor

1. Remove clock spring contact
2. Unscrew bolt (1)
3. Remove steering angle sensor (N49) from steering column module.
4. Install in the reverse order

Remove/install steering column module

1 - Steering column switch module A45 - Fanfare horns and airbag clock spring contact N80 - Steering column module Steering column module bolt (Torx 30).

Shown on steering column switch module without voice control system:

2 - Cover 3 - Stud bolt 4 - Bolts N80 - Steering column module S4 - Combination switch S40/4 - Cruise control switch with variable speed limiter S59/1 - Steering column adjustment and easy entry and exit switch group

1. Remove spiral contact coil (A45)
2. Remove steering angle sensor
3. Loosen internal Torx bolt (Torx 30) (arrow) and remove steering column switch module (1). Internal Torx bolt (arrow) is secured to prevent it falling out.
4. Remove cover (2) and remove push button (S40/4) upwards out of steering column tube switch module (1). Installation: Ensure that the studs (3) are seated cleanly in the holes, by paying attention to the guides on the push button (S40).
5. Remove switch group or switch (S59/1) upwards out of the steering column tube switch module (1).
6. Installation: Ensure that the studs (3) are seated cleanly in the holes, by paying attention to the guides on the switch group or switch (S59/1).
7. Remove bolts (4) and remove combination switch (S4) upwards out of steering column switch module (1).
8. Remove steering column module (N80) upwards out of steering column switch module (1).
9. Install in the reverse order.
10. After replacing steering column tube module (N80) on vehicles with code (219) Distronic (DTR) perform initialization of DTR control unit with STAR DIAGNOSIS.