I have a 2003 Monte Carlo and I want to add steering wheel controls for the radio. I currently just have steering wheel controls for the cruise control. I have found controls for both the cruise and radio available online. My question is, do I need to get any additional wiring harness or is the factory harness already in the steering wheel for the radio controls? Also, do you have to remove the airbag to be able to remove the plates on the steering wheel that house the buttons? I appreciate everyones feedback.

Thanks

 

no you don't need additional harness. the harness for the radio and and volume control should already tuck inside the steering wheel cover. yes you have to pop off the air bag, btw have a complete steering wheel button,with harness, and covers for sale in the sale section. check it out. don't buy online buy from me lol.

 

I could be mistake, but I thought the harness that connects to the wheel controls was different depending if you did or did not have the radio controls.... And if it was, the main plug coming in behind the air bag to connect it all was different.

Admittedly, I could be wrong, I've seen a lot of cars in the junk yards. But I thought there was some small differences that may require a small amount of additional effort.

 

Nope - you have the harness in the steering wheel. Just like with my heated/power seat install, GM is notorious for creating one type of harness, whether you use it or not. It'll be there.

 

Good to know.

I saw a tutorial for the '99+ Grand Am to add wheel controls you had to swap the wheel and the clock spring, the rest was in place.

Good to know the Monte is EASIER then that. Maybe I was getting tripped up with the '00-'05 Impala (as the wheel set up on those is a bit different). Dunno....

 

I would be interested in the buttons you have, unfortunately the color of the filler plate that houses the buttons doesn't match what I need.

 

There is only one factory color for the filler plate/bezel of the buttons. It's black (some call it charcoal). Sometimes the light hitting it may make it appear different. If you have a different color, then someone painted it.

 

So today I pulled the steering wheel apart only to find that inside there is only the harness for the cruise control. There werent any wires for radio controls. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

I know that depending on the wheel buttons you have depends on what harness connects them to a wire in the center.
The few times I have sold wheel controls, I always pull the harness with them (so regardless of the person's need for them, they have the harness anyways).

What I don't know is if the center plug is the same regardless of the harness. If it is, you need the harness that connects the two sides to the center (I hope that makes sense).

 

You have to unplug the main plug that the cruise hooks up to.
an plug the main plug that has the radio & cruise wires..
Here's a pic.. I have a set of buttons with the wire for sale $50 shipped in USA