Steering Wheel Controls Description and Operation

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2008 GMC Yukon XL, 2008 GMC Yukon, 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2008 Chevrolet Suburban, and 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The steering wheel control switches duplicate the function of the primary controls of the associated component, through a network of multiple momentary contact switches and a series of resistors. The body control module (BCM) supplies voltage to the switches and monitors the return signal for when a switch is pressed, a specific voltage drop occurs. The BCM identifies the one selected, then sends a serial data message that is received by the component controlled, activating the feature.

This section is intended to diagnosis the circuits between the BCM and the steering wheel control switches. If the primary control for the device is inoperative, refer to the appropriate section for the component the steering wheel control switch is functioning.