Turning steering wheel changes radio mode.
 

Hi Guys,

I thought I posted this yesterday but don't see it.

I have a 2007 4Runner Sport. I upgraded the HU a few years ago to a Pioneer AVH-W4500. It has worked fine but recently my steering wheel buttons started acting up and now when I turn the steering wheel it changes the input mode EVERY TIME.

As you can imagine, this is driving me mad. I've factory reset the HU. I've pulled it out to look for any damaged wiring. I cannot find anything.

I have not yet tried removing the steering wheel buttons to look for damage but I suppose that's next.

Does anyone have insight on where else to look? The steering wheel is hard connected so can it be a "turn electrical signal" crossed to the mode wire?

Or maybe turning the wheel is straining the wire?

I have no idea and these guesses are surely bad.

Thanks,
Dan

The steering wheel controls doesn't work the way you're thinking, the turn signal can't get "crossed"/shorted out with the radio controls because the steering wheel controls are connected separately from the turn signals, the turn signals aren't on the steering wheel they are on the steering column.

The horn, the airbag, the radio control and if equipped phone control are all on the steering wheel and they are all connect by what is called a "clock spring", since the steering wheel goes round and round just a straight wire/s would be broken in short order, so to overcome this issue the "clock spring" was invented, it's a ribbon wire with numerous wires in it that is in a coil like a clock spring inside a plastic housing between the steering wheel and the steering column, all the steering wheel controls, horn, airbag, etc. are connected via the clock spring, as you turn the steering wheel the clock spring coils get either tighter or looser depending on which way you're turning, at some point just the tightening and loosening can stress one or more of the wires in the coiled ribbon and break it or short it out with one of the other wires.

So it seem you need to replace the "clock spring", if you're mechanically incline and with the proper tools you can DIY the clock spring (not really all that hard to do), if so you can surely find a YouTube video of how it's done in a T4R.

Thank you! I’ll investigate this. And, yes, I meant the radio controls on the steering wheel not the turn signals. Thanks again!

Let us know what you find out and if a new clock spring solves your issue, it will help others with similar issues in the future!

Sounds like you might have some form of an electrical short that is inadvertently "pressing the button" every time to turn the wheel.

He also stated he was first having the buttons acting up before the issue when turning, sounds like a short in the clock spring IMHO.

EDIT: NM, found this video: How to Replace a Toyota Clockspring spiral cable codes and symptoms also - YouTube

So, what are everyone's thoughts on buying a clockspring? There seems to be a substantial cost difference between OEM and non-OEM: 07 2007 Toyota 4Runner Air Bag Clockspring - Steering - Genuine, SKP, Standard Motor Products - PartsGeek

OEM is obviously safest but is this one of those parts where it matters?

EDIT: Found it at a local dealership. Just going to pay the premium. Would really like to be able to listen to my radio again...

New clock spring fixed it. And I broke open the old and found the short.

2007 4Runner Clock Spring Replacement to Fix Radio Buttons - Album on Imgur

Fixed my air bag light too, which I did not realize was on all of the time due to a short.

That means it also fixed your airbag, which wouldn't have worked in an accident, now you'll be a lot safer in an accident!!

:bravo: