Steve 90TTZ

I seem to be having a problem with the shifter buttons on the back of the steering wheel. They don't always seem to work. Sometimes I have to press them numerous times before they will change gears. Is this ever happened to anyone else. Is it something in the switches or is it something more major? The car is a 2003 E55.

Thanks,
Steve

Blacksport350

Assuming that you are in Manual mode and they are working intermittently, the most likely scenario is that the buttons are beginning to fail. How many miles are on the car and have the buttons been used frequently? Does pressing the button harder seem to help?

mercixus

I have noticed the same. Randomly it will not respond. The stick left - right shifting is always working.

One thing irritating me is that it is not possible just to press buttons to engage manual shifting, you always have to switch setting on button to manual. Not very convinient when racing in the higways...

Steve 90TTZ

Blacksport350:

Thanks for the reponse. Are they difficult/expensive to replace? They do seem to work if you press harder a couple times. The car has about 40000 miles on it. I am not sure how much the previous owner used them.

merixus:

I believe on the newer E55 2004+, the buttons are always active when pressed.

Fr33kn63

they are always active on the e63

Blacksport350

They are always active on '04 and later cars and '03 cars can be flashed to be always active but personally I would not want that as I like the idea of activating manual mode with the button.

Blacksport350

I am very familiar with steering wheel wiring and button assemblies. Based on your description, it sounds like failing switches in the button assemblies.

Unfortunately, you can only get the buttons with the steering wheel so it is a more involved fix then it should be. On that note, the wheel is very easy to replace.

How mechanically and electronically inclined are you?

Steve 90TTZ

I took the switch out of the wheel (pressure fit) but did not disconnect the wires to the switch. Does the airbag assembly need to be removed? I might try and clean the contacts on the switch.

Steve

Blacksport350

The airbag does need to come out. I pull the airbag by telescoping the wheel all the way forward, I turn on the key, rotate the wheel 90* to the left to loosen the left torx all the way, do the same for the right, recenter the wheel and remove the key. You can then pull the airbag forward enough to easily get to the connectors without disconnecting the bag. To remove the bag all the way, DISCONNECT the battery to avoid the chance of setting a fault code. The two airbag connectors have a center "pin" that gets popped straight back with a small screwdriver and then the connector will unplug. Set the back face up on the passenger floor. Do so at your own risk, airbags are safe when handled properly but are explosive devices.

THe switch is easy to take apart but contact cleaner will probably not fix it. It is so easy that it is worth a try. When you disassemble the switch, there should be a couple of smalls screws to take it apart. Remove the grey button and set it aside as the contact cleaner can damage the finish on this part.

If this doesn't work and you are mechanically inclined, PM me and I will help further.

Steve 90TTZ

Thanks Blacksport350. I tried disassembling the switch and cleaning it while still attached. no go. I ended up removing the switch last night and tested it with a ohm meter. It was not always making contact when the circuit should have been closed. I tried heating up the solder joints and it would be okay until the solder cooled. Any other ideas. I think the switch is screwed as originally mentioned by you, but I would rather pass on buying another steering wheel. I have all of the numbers copied down off the switch etc. but was unable to find anything on the net.

Thanks,
Steve

unitfreebie

If you find a vendor that will just sell you the switch, please let me know!

I need the switch for the driver's door handle that has Keyless GO.

Yuille36

There are many great E63 up for sale, but do your homework first.

Max.H

Had the same happen to be before. Shifter always sport on. Has anyone confirmed this is a button issue? So the fix is swap the steering wheel?

Strigoi

Wrong thread? You bumped one from 2008 about shifter buttons.