2001 Dodge Ram steering wheel controls inop

Hello -

To better assist you can you please be more specific on your model. Is it a pickup R1500, or R2500 etc, or Ram Van B1500 etc or Ram Wagon B2500 etc. Also you engine size in liter and the 8th digit of your VIN.

Do you have automatic wipers or does your model not have automatic wipers

Hello -

Thanks for the info....... For troubleshooting the cruise control in the manual it does say you can first check for trouble codes.

Please go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator.

For the radio it states the same thing as far as first, check for any DTCs....... So my suggestion is to first, lets check the DTCs and let me know what you find out then if nothing comes up, we can get deeper.....

REMOTE RADIO SWITCH
1. Connect scan tool to Data Link Connector (DLC). Turn ignition on and check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). If any DTCs are present, diagnose and repair them before continuing. If no DTCs are present, go to next step.

Replace the clockspring under the steering wheel. It's a big plastic disc containing a wound up ribbon cable. The horn WILL stop working soon.

In the past, a sliding ring contact was used for the horn button connection. Wires can't be used because they would break from the constant turning of the steering wheel. With the advent of air bags, a sliding contact can not be trusted to make perfect electrical connection in the exact microsecond the airbag must deploy. For this reason, a wound up ribbon cable is used because it makes a solid electrical connection and can withstand the constant turning of the steering wheel.

Caradiodoc

If you plan on replacing the clockspring yourself, be aware they come with a piece of tape across it that must be torn off. This ensures it was not turned before installation. The steering wheel and tires MUST be straight ahead before installing the new part. It is designed to turn an equal distance in each direction and just a little more. If the steering wheel is off-center when the clockspring is installed, it will either get tight when turning in one direction and the ribbon cable will break instantly, or it will unwind too much in the other direction and fold over on itself. The flexing will cause it to break very soon.

The clockspring will not turn at all until the steering wheel is installed because the wheel releases two lock buttons that hold the unit secured during shipping.

Hello -

Thanks for the info caradiodoc

Roadrunner3856 please let us know.

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By the way, it looks like you may have some recalls on your vehicle. The dealer may fix these for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check on these to see if they apply to you.