LED Enabled Steering Wheel (How to get power from wiring harness)

[cjmusante]

I've just purchased a new Carbon Fiber steering wheel from SoCal Garage works, and now, I've got to install it.
I'm going to need to locate a power source for the LEDs, which will need to come from one of the wiring harnesses under the Air Bag, on the steering wheel.
Has anyone else installed one of these wheels, and if so, can you share a picture, or description of how you wired the LED unit to a power source?

 

[djerickd]

Got a pic? they don't provide instructions?

 

[cjmusante]

I don't have a picture of a solution, I'm looking for the solution myself.
I've got the steering wheel installed, and the LED bar is installed onto/into the wheel, but it's not currently powered, so I don't get the visual queues from the LED.
When I get a chance, I'll remove the airbag, and take some pictures of the wiring harness, with the hopes that someone else might be able to help.

 

[cjmusante]

Oh, now I understand what you meant when you asked about "They don't provide instructions"
And, the answer is a bit disappointing I'm afraid.
The steering wheel was purchased from SoCal Garage Works. The fabrication is absolutely beautiful, and the carbon fiber looks amazing. But, I'm afraid that I found SoCal Garage works to be very difficult to work with.
I have asked their Technical Support team for a manual that will instruct me on how to configure the LED, and was told that it's manufactured in Japan, and "Isn't like that garbage that comes from China". So, I asked the owner; "If it's better, can you please provide me with either the manufacturer's name, or with a manual, so that I can understand how to configure the LEDs" (for colors, transition RPM, Center Panel Data, etc.) Once again, the owner refused to either provide me with a manual, or provide the name of the manufacturer of the LED panel.
In addition, at one point, I asked him if he knew which of the wires (behind the airbag) can deliver a reliable source of 12V, and he admonished me by telling me that "It should be installed by a professional", implying that my question was stupid, or perhaps that he doesn't know, and doesn't want to know.
I've done all of the work to install the steering wheel, which is actually the hard work, and I've got the two wires for the LED tucked under the airbag, but not wired into the car. So, all of the hard work is done, and if I can get confirmation about the location of the 12V source, I'd be done in 5 minutes.
So, if anyone knows a KIA mechanic, or if anyone has found 12V behind the airbag, I'd sure like to know more.

 

[Kimberly Lazarski]

That looks like an awesome wheel, but given the lack of documentation and a crappy attitude from the vendor I guess you've got the word out that SoCal Garage are awful, and we should wait for a vendor who understands the concept of customer service (IMHO Mary Gober training should be required for ANYONE who does any sort of retail business) to offer it for sale in the US.

I found an install video for a K5:

 

[namja]

I see a 10A fuse on the left side of the steering column, behind the wheel, but can't tell what circuit it's protecting (no service manual info from what I've seen so far)

 

[cjmusante]

Hello Namja, thanks for your thoughts.
I don't think that the fuse will work. The steering wheel rotates, and so it would be a very bad practice to route the wires through a rotating clutch beneath the airbag, in order to connect to the power source. That said, I spoke to a technician at my local dealer, and he shared drawings with me, and I'm now working to get the wheel wired up properly.


If you look at the 1st diagram, you can see two wires identified as Illum +, and Illum -. These two wires power the lights within the steering wheel. I've tested them, and they provide 12 volts, and they should work.
The problem is how do I attach the wires from the LED bar, to these pins, on the Clutch Connector. I'm working through this problem now, and hope to have it resolved and the wheel working within a week.

 

[killinghall]

LED lights on the steering wheel? A recipe for additional distraction, a recipe for disaster, and more at night when visibility is limited and those lights are supposedly more "attractive" and you're constantly looking down instead of straight at the road ahead.

Drive safe.

 

[Reaper33333]

Good morning. Hey I was looking through the threads and saw that you had ordered your steering wheel from socal garage works. I also ordered one a few weeks ago. I was curious if you ever ended up getting the wiring done for the leds to work? I got mine with the leds and the heated option. So, was just curious on how I was to wire these up. Im guessing the illumination positive and negative leads worked? What color were those wires? Did you get the heated wheel or no? If so howd you hook those up? If you wouldnt mind showing a pic of the wheel. Id like to see it. I cant wait for mine to show up. Thanks for any help you can provide. Take care. You can find me on here or on instagram at reaper33333.

 

[stephen.hudson]

So are all the GT2 stingers pre-wired for a heated steering wheel. And all that is required is a switch added to the console to power it on and off.

 

[Ogquez]

Any updates on this? I have the same steering in my cart but will hold off until I can confirm if it comes with instructions.

 

[Reaper33333]

Does not come with directions. You can wire the ground to any bare metal part on the inside of the steering wheel. The power you can get from the yellow illumination wire. Only issue is thst the leds will only work when your lights are on. I don't think there is any switched power. I tried every wire on the harness and the yellow was the only one that made the leds come on. Hope this helps.

 

[Ogquez]

Does not come with directions. You can wire the ground to any bare metal part on the inside of the steering wheel. The power you can get from the yellow illumination wire. Only issue is thst the leds will only work when your lights are on. I don't think there is any switched power. I tried every wire on the harness and the yellow was the only one that made the leds come on. Hope this helps.

thank you for the quick reply. With the issue of needing the lights turned on in order to see the LEDs, would you say it’s a deal breaker or no? Kind of bummed that I’d have to have my lights on in order to use it.

 

[Reaper33333]

Honestly if I ordered one again I'd get one without the lights. I drive mostly at night as I work at night. Another issue I had with it is my Lap3 protuners Bluetooth interfered with the signal that sends the info to the steering wheel so I couldn't use it anyways. I just ended up unplugging it. Workmanship is still real nice. I'd just skip the led option.

 

[NS_Stinger]

I think the LED wheel could be cool if the car is strictly a weekend toy, but I think for a daily driver it would get annoying. I have an element 6 cf wheel without the lights and love it. It looks just like an oem peice.

 

[Ogquez]

I think the LED wheel could be cool if the car is strictly a weekend toy, but I think for a daily driver it would get annoying. I have an element 6 cf wheel without the lights and love it. It looks just like an oem peice.

I was looking at element 6 but they are priced higher than most of the other manufacturers. Where did you get yours from?

 

[NS_Stinger]

I was looking at element 6 but they are priced higher than most of the other manufacturers. Where did you get yours from?

I bought mine second hand from a member on here, they are very pricey new.

 

[Reaper33333]

The socal garage works one is very nice qualitywise. You won't be disappointed. Just don't add the led option. Standard cf wheels are basically all the same.

 

[Striker's Stinger]

Mine is a Gen 3 steering wheel, won't let me change the RPM setting to change my rev limits. When it was installed, they said they didn't know what to wire it to, so they wired it to my headlights. My headlights have to always be on in order for the LED display to function. If I turn my headlights off or to auto during the day, the LED will turn off until it gets dark and my headlights auto turn on. Kinda annoying honestly. Anyone else have this issue?

 

[siddhartha.y91]

I don’t know if you guys missed it.

There are actually two 12v sources.

Number 1 and 10 both are 12v +ve.
Number 2 is -ve.

Number 1 is source for heated steering wheel. My advice is splice 1 so that heated steering wheel button can act as on and off switch for the LEDs irrespective of headlights on/off.
P