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DIY: Alfa Romeo Giulia & Alfa Romeo Stelvio Stop/Start ignition switch replacement

DIY: ALFA ROMEO GIULIA & ALFA ROMEO STELVIO STOP/START IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT

This installation/basic guide covers the basics on how to remove and install the STOP/START Ignition Switch (Push Start Button) on the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Models. This installation applies to those changing their black stop/start ignition switches to the Red Quadrifoglio Style Ignition Switch.

Tools Needed:

• 1 - Flathead Screw Driver
• 1 - 3mm Allen Key
• 1 - Small Phillips Head Screw Driver

Time Needed:

• 20-45min (Depending on Skill Level)

Important Notes:

• This Installation requires partially removing the steering wheel airbag.
• During this period do NOT disconnect the airbag.
• Use Extreme Caution handling the airbag.
• These instructions are only a guide.
• READ FIRST: Airbag Information

STOP/START IGNITION REMOVAL:

Utilizing the 3mm Allen Key remove the (2) Allen Head Bolts from the rear of the steering wheel.

Utilizing the small Phillips Screw Driver Carefully remove the 2X Screws located on the rear of the STOP/START Button.

Rotate the steering wheel 180 degrees so the bottom of the steering wheel is facing the windshield.
You will see a hole in the bottom of the plastic surround. Inside that hole there is a metal cir-clip that locks the Airbag/Horn in Place.
Utilizing the Flat-tip Screw Driver push on the Metal clip. Press Firmly Until Airbag and Fascia Pops out of Steering Wheel.
DO NOT UNPLUG AIRBAG!!!!! USE EXTREME CARE.

Using Care Slowly Pry Steering Wheel Control Fascia Away from Steering Wheel. There are two pressure fittings on each side of the Fascia. Gently Pry Each side.

After Freeing the Steering Wheel Control Fascia, you will notice two sets of wires connected to each side. These are retained to the rear of the Fascia by two white electrical connections. Simply Squeeze the white electrical clips and they will become free allowing you to completely remove the steering wheel control Fascia.

Once this is completed direct your attention to the STOP/START Ignition Switch (Button). Follow the wiring to a black harness. With your Flat-Tip Screw Driver Release the electrical connections and disconnect the STOP/START Switch.

STOP/START BUTTON RE-INSTALLATION:

1. Install the New STOP/START Ignition Switch by plugging it into the above electric connector.
2. Place electrical connection back into harness.
3. Re-install Steering Wheel Control Fascia, ensuring that you properly seat the small white electrical connectors.
4. Carefully Seat STOP/START Ignition Switch Back into Fascia (It will seat only one way). Push Fascia Back onto Steering Wheel.
5. Re-insert steering wheel Air-bag firmly (Horn Will Sound). You will feel the Cir-clip click allowing the Airbag to fully seat.
6. Re-install the (2X) 3mm Allen Head Bolts into the rear of the steering Wheel.
7. Re-Install the (2X) Phillips Head Screws into the rear of the Ignition Switch.
8. Installation Complete!!! Start Vehicle and ensure full functionality of STOP/START Switch and other steering wheel controls.

BLOG POST: https://shopeurocompulsion.net/blogs/installation-database/alfa-romeo-giulia-stop-start-ignition-switch-replacement

GENUINE ALFA ROMEO STOP/START BUTTON (Ignition Switch): HERE

 

[boostedhybrid]

Thanks for the great write up! On my way to try it out.

 

[neiltyme]

You guys are truly an awesome vendor. Went right to your site and orders. BAM!

 

[neiltyme]

Done. Easy job, true, but a bit tedious and annoying. Very annoying. Those tiny screws are a PITA. looks nice tho!

 

[roadwarrior66]

Done. Easy job, true, but a bit tedious and annoying. Very annoying. Those tiny screws are a PITA. looks nice tho!

So did you have to do anything after you reconnected the battery? Or did you not disconnect the negative terminal?

 

[neiltyme]

So did you have to do anything after you reconnected the battery? Or did you not disconnect the negative terminal?

You don't need to d/c the batt. Airbag never gets disconnected so the car doesn't know there is an issue. I don't recommend d/c'ing because you will need to move the wheel around a few times while doing the job and only way to do that is by turning her on.

 

[Conyankee2]

I purchased the red start/Stop button from your site and I?m attempting to put it in as we speak. I?ve done quite a bit of car stuff over the years, but can?t for the life of me get the steering wheel facia controls off. This is a 2018 Stelvio. The corners where the plastic facia meets the steering where is stuck and doesn?t want to come off. I?ve tried prying quite a bit but I?m afraid if I pry and more the plastic will snap. Is there a trick to these ?pressure fittings? that you talked about? I?ve attached a picture and circled where it seems to be stuck. On a side note the back of the start/Stop button screw holes aren?t totally accessible as it seems they should be. Had to use a tiny screw driver to get them loose. Does that seem normal?! Any help here would be greatly appreciated!

 

[freedomgli]

READ FIRST: Airbag Information

It's risky to attempt this without disabling the SRS airbag. Caveat emptor. There are lots of warnings in the service literature about the risk of inadvertent airbag deployment if you don't follow the instructions properly. I'm kind of astonished that Eurocompulsion would advocate taking a short cut here even though they provide a small link to the manufacturer warning just how dangerous this can be.

The factory instructions basically go as follows:
1. Place the steering wheel in a central position with the wheels straight.
2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable to disable the SRS system.
3. Remove the diver air bag from the steering wheel.
4. Remove the steering wheel from the vehicle.
5. Remove the steering wheel pod switches (remote radio/ speed control) from the steering wheel.
6. Remove the trim cover from the pod switch assembly.
7. Remove the start/stop button from the pod switch assembly.

 

[freedomgli]

I purchased the red start/Stop button from your site and I?m attempting to put it in as we speak. I?ve done quite a bit of car stuff over the years, but can?t for the life of me get the steering wheel facia controls off. This is a 2018 Stelvio. The corners where the plastic facia meets the steering where is stuck and doesn?t want to come off. I?ve tried prying quite a bit but I?m afraid if I pry and more the plastic will snap. Is there a trick to these ?pressure fittings? that you talked about? I?ve attached a picture and circled where it seems to be stuck. On a side note the back of the start/Stop button screw holes aren?t totally accessible as it seems they should be. Had to use a tiny screw driver to get them loose. Does that seem normal?! Any help here would be greatly appreciated!

I know my response comes several months too late to help you. But for anyone else who might come across this same issue, it appears those steering wheel switches that control the ACC and radio are secured to the trim piece that also holds the Start/Stop switch with three screws per side. That trim piece is itself secured to the steering wheel with more screws. Maybe there was a design change at some point or maybe the Quadrifoglio wheel is slightly different than the Base/Ti wheel in this regard. I don't know. All I know is what the factory service literature has to say about this procedure.

 

[lockem]

Bump,

Has anyone had any success swapping the switch on a newer Giulia 2.0T?

 

[lockem]

OK, I'm too impatient so I tried ECs instructions and success! It took me 40-60 minutes.

Some notes: You need a #0 Philips head screw driver. It still will not fit right (perhaps there is some metric version of Philips head screws?), but will get the job done. The seat in the screw heads are a bit flatter than a Philips #0 screwdriver point. A short, round shank is best for working in this tight space. A jeweler's screwdriver probably will not do because at least I cannot apply enough torque to move the screws. Have a strong magnet on hand, just in case you drop one of those tiny screws.

If you push the seat back and extend the steering as far as it will go the whole thing goes easier.

If you are using a "standard" L type 3mm allen key, keep your fingers wrapped around the angled part so you don't scratch the plastic. A "screwdriver" style allen key is better if you have one or don't mind buying one.

The steering can be turned without the power assist (car not on, not started), at least if the fob is in the car. I did not try it without the fob in the car.

My Sept 2017 build sport steering wheel has a screw that is not mentioned above: at the front (side of the wheel facing the dash) of the bottom spoke. Like the 2 screws that retain the button, use the #0 Philips driver. Unlike the button screws, this one is pretty long.

The control fascia/panel is a pretty tight fit and it is necessary to bow it to get it in and out. Do not bow it any more than necessary. I worked the center loose, then the center spoke, then the end with the start button. I saw no reason to completely free the spoke opposite the start button. The hard part of the fit appears to be caused by the leather wrap pressing against the sides and ends of the fascia and compressing the leather a bit in the right places will make this work easier.

I did not find any need to disconnect the electrical connector to the fascia, although the working space is pretty tight. The button's electrical connector snaps into a retainer that is where the spoke meets the center cavity. I just pulled the connector out and snapped it back in, but suspect that there is a release that I was supposed to push on. Don't blame me if you break the snap. Do get the connector back into the snap retainer.

On my steering wheel the cover on the back of the button is just a cover for the back of the button (it appears to be integrated into the back of the steering wheel in the EC instructions). The screws do not need to be removed to get the control fascia loose, overcoming the issue noted in post #7. Reassembly was made a whole lot easier by attaching the button and it's back to the control fascia as the first reassembly step.

The horn will sound when you snap the airbag back in. Don't do this in a place/time where you must be quiet.

 

[DeanDep]

Easy install

OK, I'm too impatient so I tried ECs instructions and success! It took me 40-60 minutes.

Some notes: You need a #0 Philips head screw driver. It still will not fit right (perhaps there is some metric version of Philips head screws?), but will get the job done. The seat in the screw heads are a bit flatter than a Philips #0 screwdriver point. A short, round shank is best for working in this tight space. A jeweler's screwdriver probably will not do because at least I cannot apply enough torque to move the screws. Have a strong magnet on hand, just in case you drop one of those tiny screws.

If you push the seat back and extend the steering as far as it will go the whole thing goes easier.

If you are using a "standard" L type 3mm allen key, keep your fingers wrapped around the angled part so you don't scratch the plastic. A "screwdriver" style allen key is better if you have one or don't mind buying one.

The steering can be turned without the power assist (car not on, not started), at least if the fob is in the car. I did not try it without the fob in the car.

My Sept 2017 build sport steering wheel has a screw that is not mentioned above: at the front (side of the wheel facing the dash) of the bottom spoke. Like the 2 screws that retain the button, use the #0 Philips driver. Unlike the button screws, this one is pretty long.

The control fascia/panel is a pretty tight fit and it is necessary to bow it to get it in and out. Do not bow it any more than necessary. I worked the center loose, then the center spoke, then the end with the start button. I saw no reason to completely free the spoke opposite the start button. The hard part of the fit appears to be caused by the leather wrap pressing against the sides and ends of the fascia and compressing the leather a bit in the right places will make this work easier.

I did not find any need to disconnect the electrical connector to the fascia, although the working space is pretty tight. The button's electrical connector snaps into a retainer that is where the spoke meets the center cavity. I just pulled the connector out and snapped it back in, but suspect that there is a release that I was supposed to push on. Don't blame me if you break the snap. Do get the connector back into the snap retainer.

On my steering wheel the cover on the back of the button is just a cover for the back of the button (it appears to be integrated into the back of the steering wheel in the EC instructions). The screws do not need to be removed to get the control fascia loose, overcoming the issue noted in post #7. Reassembly was made a whole lot easier by attaching the button and it's back to the control fascia as the first reassembly step.

The horn will sound when you snap the airbag back in. Don't do this in a place/time where you must be quiet.

I had exactly the same experience installing mine this evening. I also have the long screw located at the bottom of the wheel.

I only pried the control facia on the end with the start button. I don’t see a need to remove the whole thing, but it is a tight area to work in. No problems at all getting it back together either. Probably took me 20 minutes total. Definitely extend the wheel all the way out so you have room to work.

 

[jnsd]

I just did this mod and can confirm it makes the vehicle 15% faster. I did a full write up on issues I think no one else has covered here if anyone is interested: https://www.giuliaforums.com/forum/...giulia-veloce-ti-mod-thread-2.html#post681298

Might save some stress from potential DIY'ers!

 

[cheersguvnor]

Be super careful with the white connectors - the pins are very delicate. AMHIK...