$10 Steering Wheel Replacement

[VXorado]

Did you know we have the same steering wheel as an Isuzu Rodeo?

My steering wheel has been worn, faded & cracked since the day I bought the VX. A few weeks ago, Mdwyer and I were at the local junkyard getting him a window regulator and I stumbled upon a good condition black Rodeo steering wheel. It cost me $10 and was a direct fit. The Rodeo's steering wheel is really a "downgrade" from the VX's steering wheel because it's not cushy or two tone. In my case, it was a nice improvement and I personally prefer the firmer grip.

Just thought I would provide the info for anyone with the same situation. Also good for someone trying to DE-Orange their interior. :)

The steering wheel is the same black as the airbag (or close to it) but the light reflecting in the photo makes it look lighter.
http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r500/VXorado/wheel1.jpg

[tysamigo]

really??? :) The Isuzu dealer told me that I have a malfunctioning sensor in my wheel. I had to take the horn fuse out. When it's in, the horn honks continuous. They said I basically need to deflate the bag, fix the sensor and get a new bag. Maybe I can just get a Rodeo steering wheel and fix that whole situation??? You think?

[vt_maverick]

Our Axiom steering wheel is EXACTLY the same (at least from a looks perspective) as the VX. Two-tone black grey and everything.

[VXorado]

Our Axiom steering wheel is EXACTLY the same (at least from a looks perspective) as the VX. Two-tone black grey and everything.

Nice that would work too. The Rodeo all black steering wheel is better for those with red/blk interiors and since Rodeos are a dime a dozen in junkyards, they can be aquired very easily.

[VXorado]

really??? :) The Isuzu dealer told me that I have a malfunctioning sensor in my wheel. I had to take the horn fuse out. When it's in, the horn honks continuous. They said I basically need to deflate the bag, fix the sensor and get a new bag. Maybe I can just get a Rodeo steering wheel and fix that whole situation??? You think?

Seems like you just need a new airbag unit. I left the Rodeo airbag (actually threw it at Mdwyer) because it cost $30 and is indentical to the VXs. That would still be a pretty cheap fix to get the horn working again.

[etlsport]

Ty, beware that the horn fuse provides power to the obd2 port. If you have emissions or diagnostic testing done keep that in mind

[Ldub]

Ty, beware that the horn fuse provides power to the obd2 port. If you have emissions or diagnostic testing done keep that in mind

Yeh...you might be better off yank'n the wires to the horn(s).

A horn that won't stop honking doesn't sound like any symptom of a wheel sensor that I ever heard of, but...:_confused

Sounds more like a busted clock spring, or failed pressure switch(in the steering wheel) or something.

[tysamigo]

Sounds more like a busted clock spring, or failed pressure switch(in the steering wheel) or something.

Yeah, that's what the guy at the dealer said. A pressure switch. What would be best, to get an Axiom or Trooper steering wheel as opposed to deflating bag, repairing it, etc.?

[tysamigo]

What is a obd2 port? What does that do?

[tysamigo]

I was hit head on (driver side) by a lady coming around a corner 2 years ago. It was repaired but they we ended up salvage because of the cost of parts. I made it legal again but I never fixed the horn problem. I hit the steering wheel hard in the accident and the freakin airbags NEVER came out and they should have.

since the accident, if you put the horn fuse in, the horn stays on solid. The isuzu guys said it was (i think he said) pressure sensor in the steering wheel and that it would be expensive to fix due to deflating the bag, getting a new bag, parts and labor so I just took the fuse out and still riding around like this. I would LOVE to fix it, and thought that a quick fix would be to get a new steering wheel, but i really don't know. thoughts??

[tom4bren]

What is a obd2 port? What does that do?

OBD2 port is where you attach the computer under the dash to read Check Engine Light (CEL) codes if there is a problem (also where you would connect the scan guage to if you wanted one).

chances are that a replacement wheel would fix your problem but no guarantees. If you can source one as cheap as vxorado did, it'd be inexpensive enough that it's worth a shot (helluva lot cheaper than re-working your airbag).

[Ldub]

OBD2 port is where you attach the computer under the dash to read Check Engine Light (CEL) codes if there is a problem (also where you would connect the scan guage to if you wanted one).

chances are that a replacement wheel would fix your problem but no guarantees. If you can source one as cheap as vxorado did, it'd be inexpensive enough that it's worth a shot (helluva lot cheaper than re-working your airbag).

What he said...^

In addition, OBD = on board diagnostics

The port is loca'd underneath the bottom of the dash, down there close to where the hood release is.

Search "steering wheel" for further clarification on how to remove/replace the steering wheel without the air bag deploying...:yesgray:

[tysamigo]

a little confused....

I went under the hood passenger side and removed a large square (relay?/fuse?) which stopped the horn from honking. That was the only thing I removed. So maybe I didn't remove the horn fuse?

In either case, my ABS light came on about a year ago. I took it to the shop and VX code said something about the ABS. They recommended I replace the ABS module so I did with a used one. 4 months later (after the 3 month warranty), my ABS light came back on and produces the same error code according to the shop. It's still on and I haven't replaced it again, being confused about what is actually the problem. Did I get another faulty module or is it something else. So maybe I didn't remove the "horn fuse" because I AM getting codes with an error...

I'm certainly not an expert at any of this stuff, which is why I joined this WONDERFUL SAVY group :)

So basically I need a new steering wheel (to fix the horn problem) and an ABS module. I've been searching and it seems the ABS module is always one of the first things that are sold from a parted VX :/

[tom4bren]

I don't think that ABS issues are read through the OBD. I think they are read the same way that TOD codes are read.

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=21714&highlight=ABS+code

When my ABS light came on, I fixed it the old fashioned way ... removed the bulb.

[Paul_A]

I was hit head on (driver side) by a lady coming around a corner 2 years ago. It was repaired but they we ended up salvage because of the cost of parts. I made it legal again but I never fixed the horn problem. I hit the steering wheel hard in the accident and the freakin airbags NEVER came out and they should have.

since the accident, if you put the horn fuse in, the horn stays on solid. The isuzu guys said it was (i think he said) pressure sensor in the steering wheel and that it would be expensive to fix due to deflating the bag, getting a new bag, parts and labor so I just took the fuse out and still riding around like this. I would LOVE to fix it, and thought that a quick fix would be to get a new steering wheel, but i really don't know. thoughts??

Why would you need to deflate the bag? Surely it's deflated anyway? :confused:

[etlsport]

a little confused....

I went under the hood passenger side and removed a large square (relay?/fuse?) which stopped the horn from honking. That was the only thing I removed. So maybe I didn't remove the horn fuse?

In either case, my ABS light came on about a year ago. I took it to the shop and VX code said something about the ABS. They recommended I replace the ABS module so I did with a used one. 4 months later (after the 3 month warranty), my ABS light came back on and produces the same error code according to the shop. It's still on and I haven't replaced it again, being confused about what is actually the problem. Did I get another faulty module or is it something else. So maybe I didn't remove the "horn fuse" because I AM getting codes with an error...

I'm certainly not an expert at any of this stuff, which is why I joined this WONDERFUL SAVY group :)

So basically I need a new steering wheel (to fix the horn problem) and an ABS module. I've been searching and it seems the ABS module is always one of the first things that are sold from a parted VX :/


1" black cube under the hood is a relay, that should not affect your obd port. The fuse (drivers side dash fuse panel) would though. And to clarify the horn fuse does nothing to the comport itself, but it provides power to the port so you can't read codes, but you can still throw them.

[tom4bren]

Is it common for the OBD to get it's power from the same circuit as the horn or is just the VX? I'm just asking because BIL's Ford Exploder OBD isn't powering my code reader.

[tysamigo]

I'm just bought a complete steering wheel with column for $100. Maybe I can have the steering wheels swapped? Or use the good part and replace my bad part?

Here's the thread for the place that has some parts left

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?threadid=22013

[VXorado]

I'm just bought a complete steering wheel with column for $100. Maybe I can have the steering wheels swapped? Or use the good part and replace my bad part?

Here's the thread for the place that has some parts left

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?threadid=22013

The install of the airbag and steering wheel takes about 5 minutes so an entire swap is up to you.

If anyone ever needs anything ISUZU-universal like this, just let me know. I have a u pull & pay lot about 10 minute from the house and visit monthly in nice weather. Just needs to be something I can get easily from a Trooper/Rodeo/Amigo like steering wheel, airbags, dome light, buttons, etc.