QuestionQUESTION: Hi! We just had the stereo replaced on 2005 cad. Srx...but now the
steering wheel controls are all scrambled and wrong. I can find where to
reset them but there no option for volume, and mute but there are options
for heat and fan (and those aren't printed on the buttons)...very frustrating.
Can you help? Thanks so so much!
ANSWER: Hello,
We need to start at the begining. Why was the stereo replaced. I assume the steering controls were working properly at that time, correct?
In the steering column there is a harness that attaches to the are bag ( horn pad). Depending on design, the harness branches off into two different directions if the heater is on the horn pad.
One side of the harness goes to heater. The other side goes to stereo. Now, if the stereo controls on the horn pad are not working properly, here are your potential issues:
Wrong head unit.
Bad harness
Harness not plugged in properly into head unit
Bad head unit
Where I am at a great disadvantage here is that I don't know the original problem and I don't know what head unit that was installed. Was it a new factory unit, refurbished, junkyard or what?
I don't know if this is done at a dealer or someone else.
In theory, if the correct head unit is installed, you shouldn't have any issues.
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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi! Thanks so much for the quick response. The stereo was replaced bc
the cd player wasn't working properly (the steering wheel controls were
working fine until then). We just bought the car used from a Chevrolet
dealer about two hours from our house, so we had to take it all the way
up there to be replaced. When we got back in the car and noticed the
steering wheel controls were not operating what they were supposed to,
the man showed us where to reset them and we left. When we got home
started to reset them and noticed that there was no option for volume and
mute, but there was the option for temp. And fan, which are not even
icons on our steering wheel button and that the only option is for 1-4 and
there are actually 8 items that need set....oh, and the stereo replacement
is new-the dealer ordered it under warranty from Cadillac...thanks so very
much. I'd reallly love to avoid another 4 hour round trip to the dealer and
back (this car is a huge gas hog)....thanks a million!!!
AnswerHello,
I realize that once a person sees a car they want, they are going to buy it. The problem ends up being when they buy an off brand from what the dealer normally sells.
I have seen this so many times, buying a Chrysler from a Ford dealer, buying a Chevrolet from a Cadillac dealer etc. Part of the issue when buying that perfect car is the question; can the selling dealer fis the car right the first time?
Its more than obvious that the dealer tech that replaced the stereo had no clue as to how to set the stereo ( even if it was the correct one) had no clue as how to do a proper install.
I used to run into these situations quite often as a service manager, where the customer would not even talk to the tech, but the salesman who definately had no clue as to the fix. I would get rather upset with my tech for doing this.
There is absolutely no excuse this vehicle should have left the dealer without being in full working condition! Its not your job as the customer to do the proper adjustments assuming this is even the correct stereo for the car and assuming this stereo was even connected properly.
I sympathize with you about the distance you need to travel, but you cannot pull the stereo and search for the problem. You will be blamed for screwing something up and your problem won't be rectified.
It may be inconvenient, but you may end up taking the car back yet again. This is one of the reasons I left the dealerships. The quality and customer care was not there.
Here is what you need to do:
contact the salesman and explain your situation. Ecxplain to him that everything but the cd player worked before they installed the stereo. If it is just settings ( which I question) demand to speak with the tech that installed the stereo for exact instructions. If the explaination is faulty, you need to not yell (even though you might be tempted) and go to the used car sales manager. Be firm. If tjhat doesn't satisfy you don't screw around with a service writer and go directly to the service manager or service director. All of this should be done by phone.
This situation could turn into a real nitemare for you with the possibility of you making multiple trips to the dealer.
I don't know if it is possible, but in situations like this, we would sometimes send the car to the appropriate dealer and have them bill us all for the customer's convenience and satisfaction.
Personally, the way this replacement was handled was deplorable in my opinion.
As stated, I have no idea of what they did here, but think of it this way- if this stereo was installed and working like it is now and the same instructions given, you might have passed on buying the car. If it is so easy to program- why didn't they do it before you picked up the car?
Keep me informed as to what transpires.
If my answers are assisting you, please rate.
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