Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: MonzaGSE on 06 March 2019, 21:58:52

Title: Retrofitting radio controls on steering wheel
Post by: MonzaGSE on 06 March 2019, 21:58:52
Thinking of retrofitting radio controls on the steering wheel in a 1994 Omega. The wiring itself i believe i have under control, but the issue is that the 1994 and 1995 Omegas have a different steering wheel than the newer pfl Omegas. Also these early cars never had the remote control option. This means i have to change the entire wheel to one from a 1996-1999 car. This also means that my current airbag wont fit and i need to use the airbag from the new wheel which i will probably get from eBay.
But im unsure if this is safe to use an unknown airbag? If i change the wheel and the airbag and the airbag light goes out as it should does this mean the new bag is ok? Or is it anybodys guess.
The other option would be to try and modify the existing wheel to fit the remote switches.
Title: Re: Retrofitting radio controls on steering wheel
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 07 March 2019, 10:25:43
I wouldn't, (as in I chose not to), but if the airbag is the same, you can potentially change the cover with one from a later wheel.

This option might be better for you anyway as you can't officially post airbags etc, but would guarantee that the wheel (with controls) and cover match.  :y

Whether you fit a new/old airbag is entirely up to you.
Title: Re: Retrofitting radio controls on steering wheel
Post by: TheBoy on 07 March 2019, 17:32:48
You'll need a new coil/loom module as well, the name of which escapes me
Title: Re: Retrofitting radio controls on steering wheel
Post by: MonzaGSE on 07 March 2019, 18:40:28
Yep. I know. I know the Norwegian name for it but not the english:) anyway the early type airbag seemes to be wrong shape to fit to a later type wheel and cover. I have now ordered a hopefully correct type sliding connector thingy and a later type leather wheel with remote buttons but without the airbag from German eBay. Bought one without the bag to avoid any problems with post/customs.
The plan is to remove airbag from 1994 Omega and check if i can make the remote buttons from the new wheel fit the old wheel and bag in such a way that it looks original. If i cant make it fit i will put the new wheel with buttons in my 1997 Omega which already have the new type wheel but no remote and not leather so airbag will just bolt over.
Thanks for advice.
Title: Re: Retrofitting radio controls on steering wheel
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 07 March 2019, 22:48:41
Essentially both cover and wheel are 'notched' for the switches.

You might find the switch mounting points present on the older wheel :-\
Title: Re: Retrofitting radio controls on steering wheel
Post by: MonzaGSE on 30 March 2019, 12:19:52
To update on this, the old type steering wheel is so different from the newer type that i couldnt find a reasonable way of fitting radio controls to it. Ended up fitting the new leather wheel i bought in the 97 Omega. After a fair bit of cutting to the back of the airbag cover the original airbag finally fitted. Buttons work great in this car. As for the 94 Omega this will need both a new wheel and a new airbag to fit radio buttons. Will only do this if/when i can find a car being broken for parts locally where i can remove the wheel and airbag myself so i know that any second hand airbag has been installed in a working car and not possibly been stored outside in a pile of snow or something:)
Title: Re: Retrofitting radio controls on steering wheel
Post by: TheBoy on 13 April 2019, 18:20:20
remember you also need the contactor unit, to get the electricity in and out.
Title: Re: Retrofitting radio controls on steering wheel
Post by: zirk on 14 April 2019, 12:08:26
You'll need a new coil/loom module as well, the name of which escapes me
Squib  ;)
Title: Re: Retrofitting radio controls on steering wheel
Post by: TheBoy on 15 April 2019, 17:28:41
You'll need a new coil/loom module as well, the name of which escapes me
Squib  ;)
Cheers!  Although GM call it a contactor unit. But Squib was what I was trying to remember :y