New Part Numbers:

Here are the part numbers I used to add the Steering Wheel Radio controls to my 2009 HHR LS.

Switch 25862239 $26.46 “Raised Buttons” match the cruise control buttons

Harness 25816515 $10.81 “Correctly" configured, no pins to move

Cover 25812392 $19.39 “Switch cover”

I realize these numbers are quite different from others quoted in this thread.

Total cost was $75.19 from GmPartsDirect dot com including ~$20 shipping. I found their shipping charges to be exorbitant, but I went for it anyway. At least in their final paperwork they broke it down into handling($8.68) and Freight($10.61) which made it sound better. It is still a 34% surcharge on the parts ordered – end of rant. The other source I checked had an even higher delivered total.

Installation went well with the following warning:
I would recommend the removal of the “Horn” plate – this requires the use of a Torx T-30 bit and a socket wrench and has been covered in a prior post. This makes the routing (and removal) of the intact harness so much easier and I got to see what was below that large Horn plate – nothing exciting. Also this allows the harness to go back into the harness securing clips. The clips keep the harness from migrating and possibly causing some intermittent problems down the road. The routing of the harness is truly the hardest part of this modification.

The new Harness part number above did not require modification as to pin-outs on the connector. This leads me to believe the Harness part number is the true part number for the 2009. I don’t know about the prior years.

This all makes for a secure and neat factory looking installation.

Now if somebody would just clean up this thread to make it easier to comprehend. Having to read through 570+ posts on 57+ pages is a little much. Good luck all.

 

OK, started reading this post and thought 'Cool, this is an easy mod', but the more I read, the more discouraged I got. I have a 2009 LS with no radio buttons on steering wheel. About 3/4 way through, I figured that I'd have to find a 2009 SS steering wheel from an HHR or Cobalt. Now, however, I'm back to a simple mod?

So, just to recap; all I need are the three items from Sno White's post above, and I'm good to go? A check with GM Parts Direct shows two of the three numbers are correct, but stated that 25862239 was a bad number and they didn't have that. I'll call and talk to a human next week.

So LAST time!! All I need is the three above parts and a steady hand - and I'm good to go?

 

Personally, I would order a used steering wheel from Schram Auto. You not only get the controls but also get a leather steering wheel. Price is about $65 shipped. Just make them an offer on their ebay store (that is what I did). BTW, i am really interested to see if after you swapped out your radio (from the other thread), you will have bluetooth. Good luck.

 

What year of steering wheel do I need? There seems to be some belief that 2009 changed some harness and connectors, so I don't want to to have a useless steering wheel.

 

I have an 09LS and I ordered an 08 Cobalt SS steering wheel. In 08 the buttons were smooth so that is the only change from 08 to 09. It is strictly a cosmetic issue. It was strictly plug and play. If you like the 09 raised buttons, then you have to find an 09 steering wheel. Hope that helps!

 

The part number 25862239 given in post number 571, as well as the two other part numbers, was what was on the box(es) from GM as well as what is on the invoice from gmpartsdirect dot com. Have them (gmpartsdirect dot com) look at invoice number 373185 and copy the information; of course you might want them to ship it to you instead of me. Oh, and you pay for it as well.

I also considered the whole steering wheel replacement, but I did not want to hunt around for one. Schram Auto did not have one when I was looking and still doesn't at the time of this writing - in my trim color.

By the way I really, really, really like the controls.

 

Aw - right! I ordered a 2008 Cobalt SS steering wheel with all controls. Should arrive by the middle of next week. Paid $62 + $18 shipping/handling. I tried several times to get a response from Schram Auto but they did respond to my emails. I got it from hhrparts.com in Gilroy, CA.

 

I got a leather wheel used, may not be from an HHR though. The horn connector is red and the horn is wired differently. It has one horn wire going to the wheel frame and the other going to the horn plate. My HHR has a black horn plug and twin wires going around to the three horn switch locations. Interesting, but I can cut and splice the connector which isnt too difficult.
But I do need some help, can those that disconnected the airbag tell me how?
I remember some saying they disconnected it without disconnecting the battery.
Did you unplug the connector at the wheel hub by just pulling it out? It doesnt seem to have a retaining clip.
Or did you unplug the two connectors at the airbag?

 

I haven't got my wheel yet (some time this week), but I'm going to disconnect the negative on my battery. Folks have pulled their wheels with the battery live, and had no problems. However, I'm the type of guy that wears a belt AND a pair of suspenders!

 

you can unplug the 2 connectors (pink & white if I remember correctly) at the airbag. each has a tiny retaining clip (same color, a light yellowish maybe) that pulls out fairly easily once you figure it out (on the 2009 they are held in place, I have read they come off completely on earlier years).