So here's an intermittent problem I've been chasing since the beginning. Truck bought new in 2016, started maybe once a month at first, now I think it's permanent. The direction pads on the wheel buttons map to different functions. The up arrow becomes the OK. The right arrow becomes the left direction. Down does nothing. and OK is left. It is maddening when it happens and even worse when the cruise control buttons stop working. The dealer changed out the left side buttons around 16k miles out of courtesy because the issue never occurred in front of them. I requested a new clock spring but they weren't going to change it unless they could diagnose (and see in person) the problem. Now the truck is out of warranty and it's gotten worse. Now the right side audio controls are wonky. Right arrow goes to the previous preset instead of next. Volume up goes to the next audio source, etc. Sometimes turning the wheel fixes it temporarily.

Is it the clock spring? What else could cause it? I'll post a video later to show what I mean.

2016 Lariat

 

Depending on your dealer, since you brought it in for the issue prior to your warranty being out, and if it is documented correctly, they might still honor the warranty even though it's really out. I would inquire. You can also watch the for sale threads for steering wheels. I see them going for only $100-$150. https://www.f150forum.com/f122/2018-...-wheel-416989/

 

On the off chance that Forscan might help you, check out the sticky thread. A couple/several months back someone found a way to swap the button controls from left to right. That way those of us who prefer it can control the radio with the left side buttons.

My thinking here is this might be a way for to get your controls back to normal. You would need your asbuilt info and the ability to access your vehicle via Forscan.

 

Video as promised:

I don't think the wheel itself is the problem as depending on the angle of the wheel, sometimes the buttons work correctly. That leads me to believe it is the clock spring which is not part of the wheel assembly, but rather stays on the steering column when you remove the wheel, correct? The dealer originally replaced one of the button sets but that didn't fix it.

 

yes, the clock spring is screwed on to the sccm behind the wheel. if you can get the wheel off its easy to replace the clock spring.

 

As suggested, I brought it back to the dealer. They diagnosed a "Steering Wheel Control Module" and replaced it. Now the buttons work correctly.

 

Did they give you a part number for the steering wheel control module? I can't find it anywhere.

 

Part number is going to differ depending on trim level/features. The correct term for the part is Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) if that helps your search at all.