2006 DIC Conversion

lryfer · July 8, 2012

My son has a 2006 Silverado with what I think is a DIC system. I just picked up a 2006 Silverado that does not have the buttons on the steering wheel or the DIc system.

His has the steering wheel controls with onstar mirrors and I guess the DIC system to check mileage, engine hours, oil life remaining, etc with a push of a button on the steering wheel.

My 2006 just has a lever to push for trip, engine hours and odometer that is it. No Steering wheel controls or way to look at MPG or oil life etc....

Is there a way to convert my NON DIC to a DIC set up so i can just push a button here or there to check fuel miles, oil life remianing etc?

Or is it an impossible task and cost millions?

Just curious how diffucult or expensive if anyone has done this.

[email protected] · July 8, 2012

You've gotta replace the steering wheel, clock spring, and get the ipc flashed or replace it as well. But then, you'll also have steering wheel radio controls.

Trav_13 · July 8, 2012

Hey Larry,

Just as mentioned above you will need the Steering Wheel (I think I have a Nice One for Sale), you will need the Clockspring (I highly recommend a new one for safety reasons), and then of course the instrument panel will need to be reprogrammed to recognized code UK3 which is redundant radio controls. I have done this on one or two trucks in the past and it wasn't a big deal...might cost you a few hundred bucks, but it sounds like you got a quality truck you plan to keep a while, this would definelty be an upgrade that would be worth it.

Trav_13 · July 8, 2012

Larry I just checked in the garage, I do not have a steering wheel at this time.

Thanks

Travis

Here is a wheel on Ebay...its a little pricey but brand new, I have no affilation with the seller, just happended to look this up...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2007-Chevrolet-Avalanche-Tahoe-Leather-Steering-Wheel-w-Switches-OEM-/260968749726?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cc2f31a9e&vxp=mtr

lryfer · July 9, 2012

Travis, when you come across one let me know. What is the clock spring?

Trav_13 · July 10, 2012

The clock spring is the SIR Coil. Keeps all the electrical connections for the Airbag and Steering Wheel Controls as you turn the steering wheel

lryfer · July 11, 2012

if the airbag is deployed on the steering wheel is it still useable or no? found one with roll over accident and bag deplyed? stay away from it? from 05 crew.

jrrod2004 · July 11, 2012

if the airbag is deployed on the steering wheel is it still useable or no? found one with roll over accident and bag deplyed? stay away from it? from 05 crew.

nope, that conductor is "burned" with the current that flowed thru the clockspring wiring. I did this to my 2006:

http://jrrod2004.com/silverado/

its under the "Steering Wheel Swap" and "Clock Spring Swap"

pm26 · July 11, 2012

When you see the price on the clockspring (over $ 400), you will give up on the conversion idea. GM deliberately raised the price of that clockspring to discourage people from converting to pushbutton steering wheel controls. The is an air bag in there and there are liability implications. Also, GM does not want to give out the codes needed to program the module, so you may not be able to do the conversion unless you know someone who can get the proper code. I have a brand new pushbutton steering wheel for 2006 Silverado in pewter (black leather) which I never installed because of that stupid clocksring price and difficulty in getting the programming code.

[email protected] · July 12, 2012

Well, you can bypass the whole steering wheel with 4 push buttons connected to wires b4 to b7 at the cluster. That ground out those wires when pushed. They'll do the same thing as the 4 ipc buttons on the steering wheel, but I THINK the cluster will have to be programed or swapedk, not 100% sure.

lryfer · July 12, 2012

I use to work at chevrolet and still know some folks for the codes etc. Also still get the discount as if i still work at the dealership. So it might not be too bad for the conversion.

So all the parts i need is the steering wheel and clockspring with harness? then flash the instrument cluster to recognize the new steering wheel and that is it?

So if the steering wheel had an air bag deploy does it damage the steering wheel? Or can the wheel be used again? i know the airbag cannot.

What about DORMAN clock springs? they any good?

jrrod2004 · July 12, 2012

I use to work at chevrolet and still know some folks for the codes etc. Also still get the discount as if i still work at the dealership. So it might not be too bad for the conversion.

So all the parts i need is the steering wheel and clockspring with harness? then flash the instrument cluster to recognize the new steering wheel and that is it? Yes, you need the new steering wheel (with the buttons). You need the Clockspring and harness. The instrument cluster has to be reprogrammed with the correct calibration file for the DIC buttons and the vehicle ----> yes

So if the steering wheel had an air bag deploy does it damage the steering wheel? Or can the wheel be used again? i know the airbag cannot Yes and no, some steering wheels were twisted from the force of deployment, some were not. You have to inspect and test the steering wheel frame.

What about DORMAN clock springs? they any good? ---> Possibly, but I have never used Dorman for any electrical parts.

scottmoyer · July 13, 2012

Holy crap! I just looked at the part number 26101829, the number for the clock spring, and the price has gone through the roof. I found a brand new steering wheel for $42, still in the plastic, and got the clock spring from car-part.com for $105 delivered. Granted, I did this back in '07-08, but $547 for the clock spring is ridiculous! I sold my original steering wheel for $50, so I did the conversion for $97 plus reprogramming. I heard GM is now charging extra for the codes to prevent all of this also.

lryfer · July 17, 2012

just called local chevrolet delaership shop. was told it is more involved than replacing the steering wheel, coil kit and programing the computer to recognize the DIC and buttons.

Basically was told it is REALLY costly and cannot be done and need to be careful that i may mess up computer and such with all the sensors and electronics.

Man the DL8 to DL3 conversion went alright. Now to get this done. Frustrating.

scottmoyer · July 20, 2012

I don't know what the dealership is talking about. I did the swap. A new steering wheel and clock spring is all you need. I pulled the steering wheel (without a steering wheel puller no less) and carefully routed the new clock spring wiring the exact same as the original. There are additional plugs which are easy to hook up since each plug has a different number of pins, so you can't mess it up. The harness has one extra long plug. That doesn't get used unless you have the 4 wheel steering option. Once all of this is wired up, the DIC is still not recognized. You need to go to a dealer, they will call GM and get the proper code to enter into the tech II that unlocks that feature for your vehicle. I heard this is very important, because GM adds this code to your VIN in their database so that any future computer flashing will have this feature and you won't lose the functions. Once they are done with the Tech II, you are done! The DIC will work and the steering wheel controls will control the stereo. End of story. It might take an hour or two to get the wiring done, but if I can do it, anybody can.