4speedfunk
Well-Known Member
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- 4,250
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- Tardville
Thought I would do a follow-up post now that I have been driving around a couple weeks...
I spent a good year of investigating and learning about the H3's numerous electronic systems before I really tore anything apart. I was convinced I had sufficiently done my homework and got the braking system correct, and I also thought I had the front axle figured out so I would have no issues. I was anxiously awaiting that first drive, to see if I had a passing or failing grade on all these systems. Up until now, I was only going on hunches.
When I first started the truck, I had a disco-tech dashboard...VSS, AIRBAG, ABS, TCS, and BRAKE lights were all illuminated....not surprising considering the many mods and the six-months down time. Almost immediately the BRAKE, TCS, and ABS lights went away...and as I drove the truck more and more, the brakes kept feeling better and better. The spongey-ness I felt in the pedal is all gone now and a re-bleed was not necessary. Just as I had hoped, the ABS rings and sensor mounts that I had fabricated, work perfectly. A+ on that one.
The VSS and AIRBAG lights continued to be illuminated for several weeks. This threw me for a loop...as I had not touched anything to do with the AIRBAG. Then one day I tried to honk at a buddy of mine, and I realized that the horn did not work. Hmmm...something was amiss with the steering wheel. I was aware of the H3's sensitive steering column and I made sure that I did not rotate the wheel when things were apart. However, I did not LOCK it in place. That was my mistake. I won't bore you with the details but, the wheel did in fact, get spun while disconnected. Bummer. Spinning the wheel past 2-1/2 turns in either direction breaks a tiny ribbon wire inside the column that feeds current to the airbag and horn buttons. Also because the wheel was spun...I lost the "true" center of the steering. The VSS uses a small sensor at the base of the column to tell the computer the steering-shaft angle. I was hoping that it might re-set itself, or maybe I got lucky and installed it in the "true" position with my new Nissan box/pitman arm rig. Well...neither was the case. D- on that one.
So today, I pulled the steering column and replaced the multi-function switch and ribbon cable. The ribbon cable dohinky is part of the turn-signal multi-function switch...so the whole thing must be replaced ($97 at GMpartsdirect). Its the first part you come to after removing the wheel, and replacing it was very easy. Next I pulled the shaft-sensor off, and I was able to rotate it around until I found "true" center, and then re-installed it on the shaft. Its very important to keep all things "centered" when doing any steering work, and now that I had done all of this, I felt confident that I repaired the damage and re-set everything to true center. There is a tool that GM sells to lock the wheel...but I did not have it, so I was just very careful to get the column back in the truck without turning the wheel. Once back in place, I hit the key and immediately the AIRBAG light was gone, and my horn worked once again. However the VSS was still illuminated, and I was perplexed (I was sure I got that thing re-installed correctly). Well...all I had to do was drive the truck. The computer recognized the new (correct) sensor position and the light went off about 500 feet up the road. A+ on the extra credit!
I am proud to report that ALL LIGHTS ARE OFF AND ALL SYSTEMS WORK PERFECTLY! There is no re-programming or computer work required. You just gotta make sure that all of your mods retain and respect the numerous sensors that the truck came with. Now I can get back to some other small details, and go find some trails.
I spent a good year of investigating and learning about the H3's numerous electronic systems before I really tore anything apart. I was convinced I had sufficiently done my homework and got the braking system correct, and I also thought I had the front axle figured out so I would have no issues. I was anxiously awaiting that first drive, to see if I had a passing or failing grade on all these systems. Up until now, I was only going on hunches.
When I first started the truck, I had a disco-tech dashboard...VSS, AIRBAG, ABS, TCS, and BRAKE lights were all illuminated....not surprising considering the many mods and the six-months down time. Almost immediately the BRAKE, TCS, and ABS lights went away...and as I drove the truck more and more, the brakes kept feeling better and better. The spongey-ness I felt in the pedal is all gone now and a re-bleed was not necessary. Just as I had hoped, the ABS rings and sensor mounts that I had fabricated, work perfectly. A+ on that one.
The VSS and AIRBAG lights continued to be illuminated for several weeks. This threw me for a loop...as I had not touched anything to do with the AIRBAG. Then one day I tried to honk at a buddy of mine, and I realized that the horn did not work. Hmmm...something was amiss with the steering wheel. I was aware of the H3's sensitive steering column and I made sure that I did not rotate the wheel when things were apart. However, I did not LOCK it in place. That was my mistake. I won't bore you with the details but, the wheel did in fact, get spun while disconnected. Bummer. Spinning the wheel past 2-1/2 turns in either direction breaks a tiny ribbon wire inside the column that feeds current to the airbag and horn buttons. Also because the wheel was spun...I lost the "true" center of the steering. The VSS uses a small sensor at the base of the column to tell the computer the steering-shaft angle. I was hoping that it might re-set itself, or maybe I got lucky and installed it in the "true" position with my new Nissan box/pitman arm rig. Well...neither was the case. D- on that one.
So today, I pulled the steering column and replaced the multi-function switch and ribbon cable. The ribbon cable dohinky is part of the turn-signal multi-function switch...so the whole thing must be replaced ($97 at GMpartsdirect). Its the first part you come to after removing the wheel, and replacing it was very easy. Next I pulled the shaft-sensor off, and I was able to rotate it around until I found "true" center, and then re-installed it on the shaft. Its very important to keep all things "centered" when doing any steering work, and now that I had done all of this, I felt confident that I repaired the damage and re-set everything to true center. There is a tool that GM sells to lock the wheel...but I did not have it, so I was just very careful to get the column back in the truck without turning the wheel. Once back in place, I hit the key and immediately the AIRBAG light was gone, and my horn worked once again. However the VSS was still illuminated, and I was perplexed (I was sure I got that thing re-installed correctly). Well...all I had to do was drive the truck. The computer recognized the new (correct) sensor position and the light went off about 500 feet up the road. A+ on the extra credit!
I am proud to report that ALL LIGHTS ARE OFF AND ALL SYSTEMS WORK PERFECTLY! There is no re-programming or computer work required. You just gotta make sure that all of your mods retain and respect the numerous sensors that the truck came with. Now I can get back to some other small details, and go find some trails.
