GM Bulletin No.: 12275
Date: December 2012

Service Bulletin

SERVICE UPDATE
SUBJECT:

Service Update for Inventory Vehicles Only
Steering Wheel Doesn't Heat, Horn Continuous, Battery Drain
Expires December 31, 2013

MODELS:

2013 Cadillac XTS

This service update involves vehicles in dealer inventory only and will expire December
31, 2013.
PURPOSE
This bulletin provides a service procedure to inspect, add protective tape, and if necessary,
reroute the steering wheel wire harness on certain 2013 model year Cadillac XTS vehicles.
When the steering wheel assembly was produced, the wire harness may have been pinched by
the driver airbag or damaged due to contact with the steering wheel structure. This could
prevent the steering wheel from heating, cause the horn to sound continuously, make the
steering wheel electronic controls inoperative, and could cause a battery drain.
This service procedure should be completed on involved vehicles currently in dealership
inventory as soon as possible but no later than December 31, 2013, at which time this
bulletin will expire.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
All involved vehicles are identified by VIN in the Global Warranty Management System –
Investigate Vehicle History Application. Dealership technicians should always check this site to
confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs. It is
important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because not all similar vehicles may be
involved regardless of description or option content.
Additionally, a list of involved vehicles currently in dealer inventory is available on the “Service
Update Bulletin Information” link under the “Service” tab in GM GlobalConnect (US) or attached
to the GlobalConnect message (Canada) used to release this bulletin

Copyright 2012 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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December 2012

Bulletin No.: 12275

PART INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this service update are to be obtained from General Motors
Customer Care and Aftersales (GMCC&A). Please refer to your “involved vehicles listing”
before ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order.
In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.
Part Number
23127760

Description
CLIP KIT,STRG WHL HARN

99491
(Obtain from Kent
Automotive*)
1089482
(Obtain from Kent
Automotive*)

Kent Industries Liquid Vinyl Tape
(or equivalent) (will service 10 vehicles)

Quantity/Vehicle
1
(if vehicle has NOT already
been reworked)
As Needed (if req'd)
(submit in Net Item)

Kent Automotive Abrasive Tape
(will service 2 vehicles)

As Needed (if req'd)
(submit in Net Item)

* Contact Kent Automotive at 1-888-937-5368 or www.kent-automotive.com. Do not order from
GMCC&A. We believe this source and their products to be reliable. There may be additional
manufacturers of such products/materials. General Motors does not endorse, indicate any
preference for, or assume any responsibility for the products or material from this firm or for
any such items that may be available from other sources.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1.

Remove the steering wheel airbag. Refer to Steering Wheel Airbag Replacement in SI.

2966067

2.

Inspect the steering wheel metal base plate.
 If you see a RED or BLACK line under the airbag retention spring between the left and
right branches of the main wire harness, the steering wheel has already been reworked.
No further rework is required. Inspect the wiring and ensure there is no damage to wires
and reposition the heated steering wheel wire harness as shown in UVD step #5.
Reinstall the airbag module into the steering wheel.
 If no black or red indicator is found, proceed to step 3.

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Bulletin No.: 12275

2966068

3.

Disconnect the upper 10 way connector.

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 Measure both the left side and right side harness length from the white retaining clip (wire
tie) to the center of the connector (where white wire enters). The wire length should be
measured from a straightened wire. The measurement should be between 50 mm and
63 mm in length for both left and right side.
 If either side measures less than 50 mm or more than 63 mm, proceed to step 4. If both
sides are within the target measurement, proceed to step 5.

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4.

Cut the white wire tie that retains the incorrect length wire harness to the horn plate. It is not
necessary to remove both clips for this step if one side has an acceptable length. Use care
to not damage the harness.
Remove the wire tie retainer from the horn plate. Use care to ensure no plastic pieces of the
retainer break off and drop into the steering wheel. If plastic debris falls into the steering
wheel, it may cause a rattle condition.

5.

Carefully inspect the wires for damaged (missing) insulation. This damage is caused by the
wiring making hard contact with the sharp metal edge of the stamped steel horn plate.
 5.1 If only the insulation is damaged, apply two light coats of *Kent Industries Liquid
Vinyl Tape, Part # 99491 or the equivalent, to the wire where the insulation is nicked
or missing. Proceed to step 6.
 5.2 If the insulation and the conductor (wire) are damaged, replace the affected
harness. After the harness has been replaced, continue with step 6.

2966073

6.

Install the three supplied (50 mm by 10 mm strip of clear tape) pieces of protective tape to
the edges of the metal horn plate in the three locations shown. Roll the tape from the inside

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December 2012

Bulletin No.: 12275

edge of the horn plate over the outside edge making sure that the potentially sharp outside
edge is covered by the tape. Ensure all of the sharp edges on the horn plate are covered
with the protective tape where the harness may come in contact.

2966074

7.

If step 4 was performed, straighten the wire harness along the left/right hand side. Measure
60 mm from the bottom of the 10 way clock spring connector and attach a new white wire tie
retaining clip. Clip the retainer into the horn plate. Ensure the wire tie is positioned with the
connecting portion parallel to the horn plate above the wire harness to prevent contact with
the airbag module. Repeat for the opposite side if necessary. Trim the excess length of the
wire ties.

8.

Secure the red horn power wire as follows:

2966076

8.1

On vehicles equipped with a white plastic wire carrier, secure the red horn power
wires to the white plastic wire carrier (located on the right side of the horn plate inside
of the steering wheel) as shown. Ensure the wire tie is positioned with the connecting
portion facing toward the front of the vehicle to prevent contact with the airbag
module.

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Bulletin No.: 12275

3020034

8.2

On vehicles not equipped with the wire carrier, secure the red horn power wires to the
right side wire harness lower main branch as shown.

2966067

Note: If the vehicle is equipped with a heated steering wheel (RPO UVD), stop at this point and
see the ”Additional Steps” listed below.
9.

Draw a RED or BLACK line under the DAB retention spring between the left and right
branches of the main wire harness to indicate that the updates have been performed.
Reconnect all electrical connectors.

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3020035

3020036

10. Inspect the air bag retention spring and ensure the top of the spring is in contact with the
flange on the horn plate as shown. If not, reposition the spring using a small screwdriver.
Inspect the left and right spring ends to ensure they are in the correct position. Reposition if
necessary.
11. Reinstall the steering wheel airbag. Refer to Steering Wheel Airbag Replacement in SI.

Additional Steps To Be Performed On Vehicles With RPO UVD- Heated
Steering Wheel
Perform the following additional steps on vehicles equipped with RPO UVD to correct the
battery rundown concern.
1.

Perform above steps 1-8.

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2966094

2.

Most steering wheels will have the heated steering wheel wiring harness attached to the
horn plate with a clip. If the vehicle does not have this clip, proceed to step 3. Using side
cutters, snip off and remove the white retaining clip that currently holds the heater connector
to the horn plate. Leave the lower portion of the white retaining clip connected to the horn
plate. This prevents any loose pieces of the white retaining clip from falling into the wheel
and causing rattles while driving.

2966094

3.

Inspect the heated steering wheel wiring harness for damaged insulation. Repair any
damaged wire insulation using the procedure outlined in step 5 above.

4.

Wrap the heated steering wheel wiring harness with protective tape Such as *Kent
Industries Part # 1089482 or the equivalent, as follows:

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3020037

4.1. On the clock spring side, wrap the brown and black wires as shown.

3020038

4.2. On the steering wheel side, wrap the red and black wires as shown.

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3020040

5.

Position the harness as shown.
Do not re-fasten the harness to the horn plate. Ensure the harness is clear of the airbag
mounting attachment points (red pinch points).

6.

Proceed with steps 9-11 above.

WARRANTY TRANSACTION INFORMATION
Submit a transaction using the table below.
Labor
Code
V2730
V2731

Description
Inspect Wiring – Already Reworked - No Further Action Req'd
Add: Repair Wiring Insulation
Inspect Wiring, Install Kit, & Protective Tape
Add: Repair Wiring Insulation
Add: Replace Steering Wheel Wiring Harness

Labor
Time
0.3
0.1
0.4
0.1
0.4

Net
Item
N/A
*
**
*

*

The amount identified in “Net Item” should represent the cost of the actual amount of Liquid
Vinyl Tape used to perform the required repairs, not to exceed $3.75 USD/CAD.

**

If the vehicle is equipped with a heated steering wheel, submit the cost of the actual amount
of abrasive tape used, not to exceed $2.75 USD/CAD.

DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers must take the steps necessary to ensure that the service update correction has been
made to all involved vehicles in dealer inventory before selling or dealer-trading the vehicle, but
no later than December 31, 2013.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that
may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the tools,
equipment, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to
your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

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