Multi-function steering wheel controls and lights don't work - 06 A4 1.8T Cabriolet

[robstl]

I bought my 2006 A4 1.8T Cabriolet in March with 81,000 miles. It is in great condition but I soon noticed that the steering wheel radio controls mostly did not work. Occasionally they would work, however, the lights (surely the buttons are lit) have never worked. Soon thereafter, the buttons stopped working and have never worked again (again, the lights never lit).

I checked all the fuses in the left side dash panel that seem to be possibly related to the wheel (including the fuses steering wheel column unit and multi-function switch), but all the fuses are intact.

Anyone have any idea where the problem lies?

Thanks!

[mtroxel]

I'm betting it's clock spring related. Either the module itself has gone bad, or the plugs between the clock spring and the steering wheel itself weren't in there right. Could also be that the clock spring itself isn't plugged in all the way. Any way you look at it, I'd pull the driver's air bag and look at those plugs.

[robstl]

Thanks for the tip. Tonight while I was driving, the steering wheel radio controls did work intermittently, and for a short time the buttons actually lit up! They went out after a few minutes, then came back on flickering, then went off and on a few times before going out.

[robstl]

I've discovered that gently pushing on the center of the steering wheel will allow the controls to work the radio. This seems to suggest a loose connection somewhere inside the steering wheel. Anyone have experience with fixing this?

[mtroxel]

This seems to suggest a loose connection somewhere inside the steering wheel. Anyone have experience with fixing this?

Yes. Again, check the clock spring or it's plugs.