orbical

Recently had my 60K maintenance done by an auto shop I wasn't familiar with, but did have high scores from other Honda owners so I went for it. Shortly after leaving their shop I noticed that now when I push the SOURCE button on the steering wheel audio controls it just beeps and no longer changes the source of the stereo. Additionally the up / down / left / right buttons do not control the volume or scroll through the stations, but if I hit the MENU button I can still use the up / down / left / right buttons to navigate...the dashboard controls for the stereo seem to be working fine.

I did try a battery reset, but no dice. Any suggestions before I shell out $250 to have Honda replace the steering wheel audio controls?

DaveSi677

Could be the audio control plug got disconnected in the back of the headunit.

orbical

Thanks Dave, now that you mention it the radio lights do not come on at night (except for the bright green one under the CD player). I take it I'll look behind the head unit and let folks know what I see.

DaveSi677

Actually had this problem last week my temp control light wasn't working just opened it up and disconnected. I just re-seated it and bingo it worked

orbical

Good to hear Dave, having a bit of trouble distinguishing the wires behind steering column, could you refer me to some free schematic online or should I buy a chilton guide?



Wires coming off steering wheel bundle going into back of AC /head unit area

tech8

The audio unit needs a software update. It is a known problem.

There is a service bulletin for 2012 Civic Hybrid without Navigation, TSB No. 11-051
Product Update: Software Update for the Steering Wheel Audio Controls and for Radio Display and Radio Button Illumination.

The audio remote switch on the steering wheel and the
backlighting for the radio display and the radio buttons
may stop working because of an error in the audio unit
software.

What should you do?

1) If you want to go to a dealer to update the audio unit,
contact any authorized Honda dealer for an
appointment to have your audio unit software updated.
This work will be done free of charge. Please plan to
leave your vehicle at the dealer for half a day to allow
them flexibility in scheduling; or

2) If you want to update the audio unit yourself, you can
request an update disc that you will insert into the CD
player in order to update the audio unit software. This
disc will be sent to you free of charge. To request an
update disc, call Honda Automobile Customer Service
at 1-877-444-6632 or send an e-mail to
SCC@ahm.honda.com. You must provide the
following information:
• Your name
• Daytime phone number
• Your mailing address
• Indicate that you are requesting the Steering Wheel
Audio Controls Update Disc
• Your vehicle’s VIN (vehicle identification number)

Loading instructions and customer support information
are included with the disc.

orbical

Thank you for this info, but after checking with the local Honda service center they said my VIN # (2012 Honda Civic Hybrid w/o Navigation) was not affected by TSB 11-051. Tomorrow I'm going to call the 877 # you provided and ask for the audio controls update disc.

orbical

Problem is fixed! I went to a different Honda dealer and mentioned I had these three issues:

- radio lights don't come on
- 'add new phones' was grayed out
- steering wheel audio controls don't work but it does beep

They did mention my VIN didn't qualify for the SB and applying it could break it, but ultimately they did some software update and now everything works like new, couldn't be happier.

Doug Bellus

unfortunately my civic has suffered the same software issues with steering wheel controls and lights of radio, unfortunately the dealer needs $49.95 to insert software disc and update system, I called American honda customer service and honda technical support who both denied availability of software disc for customers and both stated to return to dealer at my cost since not a recall but only a service bulletin. I am extremely frustrated and dissatisfied with honda for not taking responsibility for there coding error. Does anybody know of a way of obtaining update without returning to dealer?