Gear select steering upgrade help

[XXSNOTRODXX]

I’ve got a 16 express that I recently purchased a leather steering wheel out of a 18 big horn so that I could get the factory radio controls.

The question I have is, on this new wheel it has the gear selector buttons on the face of the wheel. My ram has the 6 speed gear select buttons on the column shifter.

is this button something that I’ll be able to now use to control what gear I am in or will it not be operational?. And is there a way to enable it in something like alfaobd if it is not plug and play?.

Thank in advance for any help in the matter.

 

[Brandon-w]

Likely won't be operational. But you can purchase the cruise control button without the select buttons for about 60 ad it just plugs into the harness nothibg else needed

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[XXSNOTRODXX]

Likely won't be operational. But you can purchase the cruise control button without the select buttons for about 60 ad it just plugs into the harness nothibg else needed

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I’ve got the buttons out of my factory wheel that I can swap if need be (cruise with no gear select buttons). Was just curious if the gear select buttons on the new steering would work somehow.

 

[Brandon-w]

You could try it. [emoji846] May need to activate it in Alfa obd maybe. Not sure.

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[XXSNOTRODXX]

You could try it. [emoji846] May need to activate it in Alfa obd maybe. Not sure.

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Hoping someone that’s done it chimes in, would be cool to be able to use it because I hate using the buttons on the column shift lol

 

[SitKneelBend]

Hoping someone that’s done it chimes in, would be cool to be able to use it because I hate using the buttons on the column shift lol

Sounds like we have a volunteer...

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[Tim7139]

It's possible you could compare an export file from another member with an 8 speed and find a setting or settings that would enable them, but it's not a configuration that left factory.

I did my swap before the Alpha ODB was common, so all I can add is when I tested the buttons had no function so I took them out.

 

[rixter99]

I just tried this when I upgraded to Audio controls (back bezel)...The front bezel had the gear +/- and they did not function during test drive...I disconnected the wires from the column shifter and there was no change...The only thing else, hardware wise, is it could be the steering wheel harness I have does not use it even though the connector has 2 more wires than the original harness...Research continues...

 

[Brandon-w]

I just tried this when I upgraded to Audio controls (back bezel)...The front bezel had the gear +/- and they did not function during test drive...I disconnected the wires from the column shifter and there was no change...The only thing else, hardware wise, is it could be the steering wheel harness I have does not use it even though the connector has 2 more wires than the original harness...Research continues...

The two extra wires are usually for the steering wheel heater control. The buttons don't require extra wires they're canbus controlled via the bcm. You either use Alfa literally flick the switch and off you go or get the tcm programming from a truck that has the buttons and put it in yours.

One guy was using the buttons, he upgraded his trans tune to an 8 speed srt and his buttons quit working. Once he reverted back they worked again. It's 110% not wiring.

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[rixter99]

The two extra wires are usually for the steering wheel heater control. The buttons don't require extra wires they're canbus controlled via the bcm. You either use Alfa literally flick the switch and off you go or get the tcm programming from a truck that has the buttons and put it in yours.

One guy was using the buttons, he upgraded his trans tune to an 8 speed srt and his buttons quit working. Once he reverted back they worked again. It's 110% not wiring.

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Thanks Brandon...The '2 wires' I was referring to are on the connector for gear +/- and cruise control connector that plug into the module, not the heated steering wheel connectors...

I have a 2014 SLT CDT w/the 6 speed (68RFE? I know it's not the AISIN) transmission and I do have AlfaODB/MX+...I'll dig around log files/settings before I make changes...

 

[BlownGP]

Sorta the same topic.

My dad has a 09 SLT with no radio buttons. If I get a steering wheel from a high up model with radio buttons. Is it just plug in play and they will work? He does have a aftermarket head unit installed.