Changing steering wheel
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 2
From: St Paul
2012 GLK 4Matic, 1999 S600, 1994 E320 Cabriolet
Changing steering wheel
I got this beautiful (C class 204) steering wheel with red stitching to go with my Mars red 2012 GLK. Supplier said it would work on my car except for shift paddles so I went to the dealer today and tried to install it but although it fit fine the control buttons would not function because the wheel was not able to communicate with the computer even though they tried to make it work. Anybody had any experience with changing steering wheels. Waiting to hear if I can return the new wheel and airbag but would love to make it work.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 2
From: St Paul
2012 GLK 4Matic, 1999 S600, 1994 E320 Cabriolet
possible solution
The seller says I need a different contact plate there are two different ones apparently and I if I replace the one I got the wheel function buttons will work. Seller will send new plate. Hope that solves problem.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 323
Likes: 31
From: Ottawa ON Canada
2015 ML350 Bluetec
Nice looking Wheel! Could you tell us what the cost was, or could you just pm me the damage! Very interested, and hope that exchanging out the contact plate will do it for you ....
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 2
From: St Paul
2012 GLK 4Matic, 1999 S600, 1994 E320 Cabriolet
Finally mission accomplished!!
I changed the steering wheel as previous posts show. Ended up having to change the contact plate in the wheel and the steering column module (that has your levers etc in it for wipers cruise etc.) So now all buttons light up and work and here is the bonus - THE SHIFT PADDLES are working 
- yes shifts show on screen. The cruise control lever also has a speed limiter setting (if set cannot go over set speed with gas pedal have to hit brake first) This all sounds complicated but it isn't and is easy to do and as long as you disconnect the NEGATIVE battery lead before you do anything there will not be any trouble codes or need to go to the dealer.
- yes shifts show on screen. The cruise control lever also has a speed limiter setting (if set cannot go over set speed with gas pedal have to hit brake first) This all sounds complicated but it isn't and is easy to do and as long as you disconnect the NEGATIVE battery lead before you do anything there will not be any trouble codes or need to go to the dealer.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
GLK350
yes, please post or PM cost and seller -- I would love this!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 2
From: St Paul
2012 GLK 4Matic, 1999 S600, 1994 E320 Cabriolet
Cost
I started out just thinking I needed the wheel and that was 850 (EBay). Yes expensive. Then I had to change the contact plate a couple times to finally get the right one - the seller paid for these plates and I only had to pay for return shipping. I had read that the lights in the wheel would not work unless I changed the column module (has all levers on it for turning cruise etc.) so I changed the column module (was 250). This was all a very simple uncomplicated process as long as you always disconnected the NEGATIVE cable from the battery the computer never needed a reset or set a code. The unexpected benefit was that the SHIFT PADDLES on the wheel ARE FUNCTIONAL which means my late 2012 GLK already had the paddle shifting programed into the computer. The red stitching on the wheel goes nicely with the Mars Red color of the car and black interior and the flat bottom of the wheel gives a bit more room to enter and exit the car. Overall it was good learning experience and I am totally pleased with the result.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
This is way cool! Congratulations on the installation. This is the kind of sensible upgrade that there is a dearth of here. Money is always a concern but I may have to consider this in the future! If you have the p/n's for the pieces which made it all work, please post them for others considering this swap.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 2
From: St Paul
2012 GLK 4Matic, 1999 S600, 1994 E320 Cabriolet
Answers
The GLK pre-2013 steering wheel has a totally different contact plate design.
Contact plate has to be one that can interface with car computer on your specific model. I only changed levers module so that the lights on the wheel would work but I could have left the original and everything would work except for the button lights. C class forum has lots of posts about all this.
Contact plate has to be one that can interface with car computer on your specific model. I only changed levers module so that the lights on the wheel would work but I could have left the original and everything would work except for the button lights. C class forum has lots of posts about all this.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
Does the contact plate & the multifunction switch have to be the parts utilised for whichever model of "C" class the wheel came from or are the choices specific to the GLK? Qualifier here is we are discussing the pre 2013 models. P/N's might help to track this information down.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 2
From: St Paul
2012 GLK 4Matic, 1999 S600, 1994 E320 Cabriolet
answer
Yes this all gets confusing. I wish I would have written the part numbers down - the SCM (steering column module with levers) had to work with the wheel and I think was an Eclass part (my original one worked fine except for the lights for the buttons) The contact plate is different for different models because it has the electronics that interface with the specific computer on your model. so the contact plate (as seen in an earlier post on this thread) was specific to my GLK. The supplier knew his stuff and kept sending me the parts I needed until I got it all working. He did need my VIN. I could get his email probably if you are interested in this mod.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 102
Likes: 2
From: St Paul
2012 GLK 4Matic, 1999 S600, 1994 E320 Cabriolet
Supplier
zhk_ew5349mjzc@members.ebay.com
All my correspondence with supplier was thru his ebay email address above. This person sells many Mercedes steering wheels and really seemed to know everything about compatibility and part numbers. He worked with me for weeks getting everything to work right. Top rated seller. Don't be put off from his location every Mercedes part was shipped from Germany.
All my correspondence with supplier was thru his ebay email address above. This person sells many Mercedes steering wheels and really seemed to know everything about compatibility and part numbers. He worked with me for weeks getting everything to work right. Top rated seller. Don't be put off from his location every Mercedes part was shipped from Germany.
