Enable steering wheel paddle shift option in BCM

[chrism1217]

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a flat bottom steering wheel with the paddle shift buttons as a genuine part for my VF series 2 wagon. Fitting the wheel was simple enough and it is certainly a nice upgrade, but have come to the last step in the instructions which requires the vehicle to taken to a dealer so that the paddle shift option can be enabled in the BCM.

As seems likely to be the way with getting anything from the remaining GM "dealers' in 2023, they either don't even return calls from the service department after a receptionist answers the phone, or when I do get through to some of them they quote some insane price of $400+ for doing a few minutes of work (it is clear none of the people who answer phones in the service departments were ever technicians). I understand these guys have overheads and all, but does anyone know of any dealers in the Melbourne area who would do this job for a reasonable price, or know anyone else who would have the equipment to enable this option for me?

 

[NJD-1992]

Was the exact problem I had also when I fitted my paddle shift steering wheel.

Almost all the dealers had zero idea what I was asking for, and quoted prices as high as $800.

I can’t help from the perspective of being in Melbourne, but Peter Page Holden in Adelaide (main dealer in Elizabeth, just down the road from the old factory) knew what I was talking about and got it done back in Oct 21 for a reasonable $140.

Maybe worth giving them a call and seeing if they know the exact “wording” to tell a local dealer to you so that it might give them an idea? Bit cheeky but an idea if you can’t find anything

 

[lmoengnr]

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a flat bottom steering wheel with the paddle shift buttons as a genuine part for my VF series 2 wagon. Fitting the wheel was simple enough and it is certainly a nice upgrade, but have come to the last step in the instructions which requires the vehicle to taken to a dealer so the that paddle shift option can be enabled in the BCM.

As seems likely to be the way with getting anything from the remaining GM "dealers' in 2023, they either don't even return calls from the service department after a receptionist answers the phone, or when I do get through to some of them they quote some insane price of $400+ for doing a few minutes of work (it is clear none of the people who answer phones in the service departments were ever technicians). I understand these guys have overheads and all, but does anyone know of any dealers in the Melbourne area who would do this job for a reasonable price, or know anyone else who would have the equipment to enable this option for me?

Do you really need a "dealer" to program the BCM?
Enquire with LSXtreme in Ballarat or Automotive Lighting Customs in the SE suburbs, they may be able to help you.

 

[Lex]

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a flat bottom steering wheel with the paddle shift buttons as a genuine part for my VF series 2 wagon. Fitting the wheel was simple enough and it is certainly a nice upgrade, but have come to the last step in the instructions which requires the vehicle to taken to a dealer so the that paddle shift option can be enabled in the BCM.

As seems likely to be the way with getting anything from the remaining GM "dealers' in 2023, they either don't even return calls from the service department after a receptionist answers the phone, or when I do get through to some of them they quote some insane price of $400+ for doing a few minutes of work (it is clear none of the people who answer phones in the service departments were ever technicians). I understand these guys have overheads and all, but does anyone know of any dealers in the Melbourne area who would do this job for a reasonable price, or know anyone else who would have the equipment to enable this option for me?

Have you done the wiring yourself?

 

[chrism1217]

Was the exact problem I had also when I fitted my paddle shift steering wheel.

Almost all the dealers had zero idea what I was asking for, and quoted prices as high as $800.

I can’t help from the perspective of being in Melbourne, but Peter Page Holden in Adelaide (main dealer in Elizabeth, just down the road from the old factory) knew what I was talking about and got it done back in Oct 21 for a reasonable $140.

Maybe worth giving them a call and seeing if they know the exact “wording” to tell a local dealer to you so that it might give them an idea? Bit cheeky but an idea if you can’t find anything

A few weeks ago I got through on the phone to someone at Alan Mance in Footscray who seemed to know what I was talking about and quoted about the same price as that, which I thought was reasonable too. Since then though I haven't been able to get through to the service department and no one returns my call.

 

[chrism1217]

Do you really need a "dealer" to program the BCM?
Enquire with LSXtreme in Ballarat or Automotive Lighting Customs in the SE suburbs, they may be able to help you.

Well yeah, avoiding a dealership if possible is always sound advice! thanks for the suggestion I'll give them a try

 

[chrism1217]

Have you done the wiring yourself?

The steering wheel is sold as a kit from GM which includes a different wiring loom and replacement bolts for the horn pad, so no wiring is required it plugs in to the same connector on the clock spring behind the steering wheel. The option just needs to be enabled in the BCM.

 

[kleanphil]

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a flat bottom steering wheel with the paddle shift buttons as a genuine part for my VF series 2 wagon. Fitting the wheel was simple enough and it is certainly a nice upgrade, but have come to the last step in the instructions which requires the vehicle to taken to a dealer so the that paddle shift option can be enabled in the BCM.

As seems likely to be the way with getting anything from the remaining GM "dealers' in 2023, they either don't even return calls from the service department after a receptionist answers the phone, or when I do get through to some of them they quote some insane price of $400+ for doing a few minutes of work (it is clear none of the people who answer phones in the service departments were ever technicians). I understand these guys have overheads and all, but does anyone know of any dealers in the Melbourne area who would do this job for a reasonable price, or know anyone else who would have the equipment to enable this option for me?

I think i paid $120 for a dealer to do mine , it could have been less , it's been a while . Definitely look at other options

 

[RevNev]

the last step in the instructions which requires the vehicle to taken to a dealer so the that paddle shift option can be enabled in the BCM.

The BCM has a paddle shift enable option in the programming setup phase, so the BCM has to be re-programmed and setup. I'd guess that many dealer personnel have never done it before and they're unaware of the required process. Best to specifically ask for your BCM to be re-programmed and the reason for doing so, is to enable the paddle shift option.

 

[Thorby]

Mine was $140 at the dealer a few years ago, in and out in 15 minutes.