My radio controls in the steering wheel of my ‘05 doesn’t work but does light up. I figured it was bad so I bought a new one which was very expensive. I installed it today and still doesn’t operate the radio:( I do however have a second ‘05 MCS so I removed the airbag and plugged in the old switch that I thought was bad and does work in that car.

so how do you troubleshoot something like that? I checked the wires under the airbag and look good and the wire harness plugs into a white plug next to the steering shaft. The cruise switch does work on the right side but the harness from the radio switch plugs into the cruise switch then into the white connector. I would really like to get this working.

 

If it's an aftermarket radio, there are several modules behind it, one of which is for the steering wheel controls, and is known to fail.

If it's factory, all I can suggest is start tracing wires. Someone posted a useful link recently with all the wiring diagrams and plug locations.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r53-cooper-s-hat/

 

thank you no the radio is factory HK.

 

sorry but link doesn’t work

 

Weird, I just tried it again and it worked for me. Maybe it matters what country you're in.

Anyone else try it?