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      01-09-2013, 09:48 PM   #1
Superfly_M3
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Sticky Steering wheel buttons

Sorry, couldn't find a good forum to post this. This forum gets way more attention than anything else so here goes:

Soda can exploded in the car a couple of weeks back. While throwing it out the driver's side window, it sprayed everywhere including the telephone button on the steering wheel. Now the button sticks when I press it. Has anyone had this happen to them? Any suggestion on how to clean it without taking apart the steering wheel? I thought about spraying some windex and working the button in while the car is off. Then drying out with compressed air.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.
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      01-09-2013, 09:55 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superfly_M3 View Post
Sorry, couldn't find a good forum to post this. This forum gets way more attention than anything else so here goes:

Soda can exploded in the car a couple of weeks back. While throwing it out the driver's side window, it sprayed everywhere including the telephone button on the steering wheel. Now the button sticks when I press it. Has anyone had this happen to them? Any suggestion on how to clean it without taking apart the steering wheel? I thought about spraying some windex and working the button in while the car is off. Then drying out with compressed air.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.
The trim around those is extemely fragile so be very careful what you use to clean it.

Id look in the DIY forum and see if there's a DIY for steering wheel removal, I bet it would explain how to take those trim pieces off.
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      01-09-2013, 09:56 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superfly_M3 View Post
Sorry, couldn't find a good forum to post this. This forum gets way more attention than anything else so here goes:

Soda can exploded in the car a couple of weeks back. While throwing it out the driver's side window, it sprayed everywhere including the telephone button on the steering wheel. Now the button sticks when I press it. Has anyone had this happen to them? Any suggestion on how to clean it without taking apart the steering wheel? I thought about spraying some windex and working the button in while the car is off. Then drying out with compressed air.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.
annnnnnnnnnnndddddddddddd with that, this forum has jumped the shark
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      01-09-2013, 10:18 PM   #4
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there was a thread written about this not too long ago, did try to search? it came out to the same solution as if you were to clean a computer keyboard
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      01-09-2013, 10:41 PM   #5
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Throwing a soda can out the window?
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      01-09-2013, 10:45 PM   #6
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You could try anything to fix it and then upgrade the steering wheel if all else fails. At least you tried. Then spend a little money and get a brand new wheel, even nicer.

Paper can get in between cracks like dental floss. Maybe you could get a little water in there, push a piece of paper in there, soak up the soda and water, and pull the paper out...repeatedly.

Depress the button to give yourself the biggest gap.

Leatherique leather care to restore.
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      01-09-2013, 10:55 PM   #7
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Try isopropyl alcohol and a detail brush. You also need some compressed air to blow the excess off. The alcohol will not damage the connection. You could also try some electronics cleaner which is pretty much the same thing. I cleaned many aircraft electronic components with the alcohol solution......GL...........Phil
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      01-09-2013, 10:59 PM   #8
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you sure it was soda you shot on the wheel?
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      01-10-2013, 03:04 AM   #9
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What else could it be???:

it was soda.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chriszeh View Post
you sure it was soda you shot on the wheel?
Good points about thr alcohol, thanks. This forum is awesome - its like infinite knowledge and some one guy asking if people know how to search
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      01-10-2013, 12:47 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superfly_M3 View Post
Sorry, couldn't find a good forum to post this. This forum gets way more attention than anything else so here goes:

Soda can exploded in the car a couple of weeks back. While throwing it out the driver's side window, it sprayed everywhere including the telephone button on the steering wheel. Now the button sticks when I press it. Has anyone had this happen to them? Any suggestion on how to clean it without taking apart the steering wheel? I thought about spraying some windex and working the button in while the car is off. Then drying out with compressed air.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.
Get a can of electrical component cleaner at Radio Shack. I used that when my coffee spilled and jammed my presets. It should be safe for pretty much anything as it is designed for electircal components. It doesn't seem to leave any residue either.
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      01-10-2013, 02:51 PM   #11
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Give Deoxit spray a try, taping the areas around, since it's contact safe, it's ok to use as a cleaner there. I had used it on a sticking "road hazard" button on my E86M, worked great.
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      01-10-2013, 04:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chriszeh View Post
you sure it was soda you shot on the wheel?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Superfly_M3 View Post
What else could it be???: it was soda.
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      10-08-2015, 09:12 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M Ryder View Post
Try isopropyl alcohol and a detail brush. You also need some compressed air to blow the excess off. The alcohol will not damage the connection. You could also try some electronics cleaner which is pretty much the same thing. I cleaned many aircraft electronic components with the alcohol solution......GL...........Phil
Bumping this to not only subscribe but for others who may have same issue. I believe previous owner to my vehicle did the same thing with something spilled, got a few sticky buttons. Going to give this a shot.
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      10-08-2015, 09:57 AM   #14
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I'd be careful using any type of strong cleaners on the trim, especially around the buttons on the steering wheel/doors.
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      10-08-2015, 11:36 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M Ryder View Post
Try isopropyl alcohol and a detail brush. You also need some compressed air to blow the excess off. The alcohol will not damage the connection. You could also try some electronics cleaner which is pretty much the same thing. I cleaned many aircraft electronic components with the alcohol solution......GL...........Phil
This.
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      10-08-2015, 01:03 PM   #16
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The trim is easily removed without removing the airbag, fwiw.
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      10-08-2015, 01:12 PM   #17
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Sounds like a good time to get a new racing steering wheel
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      10-08-2015, 01:29 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thekurgan View Post
The trim is easily removed without removing the airbag, fwiw.
I have tried to remove the trim without removing the airbag and I scratched the trim around the airbag. I don't recommend removing the trim without removing the airbag if you care about keeping the trim scratch free. Removing airbag is easy as removing the trim if not easier.
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      10-08-2015, 02:29 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S65-M3 View Post
I have tried to remove the trim without removing the airbag and I scratched the trim around the airbag. I don't recommend removing the trim without removing the airbag if you care about keeping the trim scratch free. Removing airbag is easy as removing the trim if not easier.
I used painter's tape, the airbag can be simple, but I've seen many tear the shit out of the rubber where the tiny screwdrivers goes to pop it out.
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      10-10-2015, 06:36 PM   #20
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instant karma for littering
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      10-10-2015, 06:58 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///M Ryder View Post
Try isopropyl alcohol and a detail brush. You also need some compressed air to blow the excess off. The alcohol will not damage the connection. You could also try some electronics cleaner which is pretty much the same thing. I cleaned many aircraft electronic components with the alcohol solution......GL...........Phil
Do you just press the alcohol while installed?
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      10-10-2015, 07:01 PM   #22
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Removing the airbag is easy. Finding the tiny holes or disconnecting the battery is the hardest part.

I would:
1.remove the airbag
2.remove the trim
3.remove the button modules from the trim
4.open the modules
5.Clean: The plastic buttons push on a rubber membrane which touch contacts on the pcb. Clean all that out.

Realistically, if you know how to do it, it could all be done in 15 min.
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