[GeoSoul]

Hi Tunes 12, I bought the cruise controller & harness 2 weeks ago from the link on page 1, no problem on supply then. Another site had them at about the same price. Try them kiapartsaccessories.com

Good Luck, the new cruise control is totally worth it!

Thanks. I'm looking to order the two part numbers listed on the first post of this thread, which a few on here have ordered and installed successfully. I have a 2014, manual trans, base model as well. I am looking to add cruise just as described. I went to link on page one for KIA parts and was able to successfully order the parts for $71, but I got an email 24 hours later explaining they are no longer available...which can't possibly be true. Where have others ordered these two part numbers from?

 

[GeoSoul]

Just wanted to thank you, Billaz, for getting the ball rolling on the cruise control issue. When I made the choice to buy the 2014 MT Soul, the ONLY thing I compromised on was cruise control. I hated that it didn't come installed, and worse, the dealer said it CANNOT be installed. I put mine in last weekend and wow, looks amazing and works flawlessly. I feel in appreciation to you the installation should be named "The Billaz Procedure."

Your instructions were great. I would add that my experience taking out the airbag is that the 3 pins did "pop" loose and the unit came out about one inch, but then I had to pull fairly hard to get it to come out. Freaked me out a little bit, but I wasn't going to quit. After that, just followed your instructions. The wires all had the same colors in the new harness as the old, so it was easy to tell where they plugged into.

One really great "side effect" I noticed after I reconnected the power (and reset the clock and the other settings you lose when you disconnect the power) that the annoying feature where the air conditioner turns on automatically ANY TIME you send air to the windshield, no longer does that. It's great. I complained to my salesman at the time I bought the car, but he said "you would obviously want the air conditioner on any time you send air to the windshield." Um, NO. There are plenty of times I want air flow to the glass and the floor of the cabin, but don't want refrigerated air blowing. I'm always having to turn the air off even though I didn't turn it on. Problem is now solved. I was wondering if anyone else noticed that?

 

[GeoSoul]

Thanks Shaggy, you're absolutely right, it seemed wrong from the get go. The salesman should have had an answer for the air turning on automatically when I selected an upper register, but blew me off saying it should "obviously be that way." Telling me to simply disconnect the battery for a few minutes would have impressed me, but instead he was just being slick, deflecting any questions with blah-blah answers. Really appreciate your thoughts and great work you do on this board!

 

[GeoSoul]

Hey Guys,

Just helped a friend do this install again last night. I just thought I would clarify on marking the steering wheel. I believe someone in a previous post mentioned there was an orientation dot for aligning the wheel. NOT TRUE. If you do not mark the wheel, it will go on any way from Tuesday. So unless you have a very trained eye to put it on the exact way you removed it, I recommend marking the wheel. My friend was actually replacing his base wheel with the redline edition, so it didn't matter. Looks great though.

Billaz, that's a great idea putting a Redline (Red Zone) edition steering wheel on the 2014 Base. Add a set of Redline floor mats and a few other accessories & you're good to go!

Would you mind sharing where your friend purchased the wheel from, cost & if there were any complications putting that wheel on the Base version.

Really appreciate the valuable contributions you make to the forum. I'm enjoying CC on my Soul thanks to you & the "billaz procedure."

 

[GeoSoul]

Hey GeoSoul,

He bought his steering wheel from Kiapartsnow.com for about $150 plus shipping costs. However, I have found it is much cheaper using fourgreen.com. Their shipping fees are higher, but it is still cheaper to use them in the long run. It goes on the exact same way as your original wheel, so there were no complications at all. One thing though, the new wheel comes with nothing on it at all. So you will have to move over all of the accessories from your old wheel (i.e. buttons, harness, plastic bezel). It is really easy honestly. The part number for the red zone edition wheel (black leather wrapped with red stitching) is 56120-B2100FE4.

Thanks Billaz for the information on the Red Zone leather wrapped steering wheel. I agree, it should be easy to move the accessories over. Now that I've explored inside the steering wheel putting in CC, it's a brilliantly simple design (good for Kia).

Also thanks for the tip on fourgreen.com. I hadn't heard of them before but man, they have a great inventory & you're right about better prices. Do you find it frustrating most of these parts sites do not include photos of the parts (picture unavailable)? The descriptions are pretty vague, I guess assuming you know exactly what it is you need. I wouldn't have known this particular wheel is the leather wrapped Red Zone version from the "BODY-STEERING WHEEL - Hyundai/Kia - NEW SOUL" description on their website.

Same is true for trying to find the dash center speaker grille cover (I'd like to at least put the nicer looking grille cover in place of the big chunk of plastic). I've emailed fourgreen and asked for a better description, and/or at least the year of the car it fits.

You are awesome for all the advice and help you give. I think about the "billaz procedure" every time I push cruise control, and smile.

 

[GeoSoul]

So you just need the switch and a plug in harness????????? How does it talk to the DBW system or computer, can this be a Honda-esq type thing built into it from the factory to be made easier... I'm local here in Phoenix and would like to chat on the phone about it if you dont mind.. This was a BIG BUMMER for me to not have cruise on a base manual and has kept me from my purchase until now!!! Can you PM me your cell #, I'm new to forum so I dont know if i can pm yet or i'd send mine but ill try.. Kick Ass job doing your homework!!!!!!
Thanks,
Mike
Scottsdale, AZ

Hi Mike,

The answer is "yes," it's plug & play. You don't need a new wheel either. Just purchase the wiring harness (it adds the 4th plug for the cruise switch that is missing from the one currently installed) & the wheel cc switch. It cost me $71 w/shipping.

I was apprehensive too, but have been enjoying cruise for several weeks. Even the green dash cruise lights activate, as they're installed factory. The cruise switch also lights up orange at night.

Check this video out. This guy installs cc in a Kia Rio. The 2014 Soul install is easier. Use the same socket/wrench that fits the wheel lugs. I didn't need a wheel puller, not even close. Use a flashlight to find the 3 push-release pins for the airbag. They are located at 9, 3 and 6 o'clock. I actually used a dull ended shish kabab poker. Push 9 o'clock first and you should clearly hear and see that corner pop out about a quarter inch. Do 3 o'clock second and 6 last. Then the airbag/horn unit lifts out. I had to cajole mine a bit. Once you have the airbag out enough to work behind it, look for the 3 connected wires that must be unfastened from the back of the airbag (2 fasteners with orange lift up tabs & 1 white clip), I left the other end of these wires connected to the yellow clockspring (don't mess with the clockspring or remove it) before you can fully lift out the airbag. I placed 4 photos in a post or two below this one from my install to help clarify.

Then just follow the "billaz procedure." It truly works. Take your time and double check all the connectors are securely fastened and in place as you reassemble and install the wheel and airbag. I didn't get the single white connector (ground wire, I think) securely re-plugged in & got a dashboard warning light for airbag. Took only a minute to re-pop the airbag and plug it in securely. Light went away. As my dad always told me "take your time and do it right the first time, then you won't have to do it a second time.....duh!)

This all sounds harder than it is. It's totally worth the time & effort.

 

[GeoSoul]

I finally got my parts in last week and tackled this yesterday. My only issue was that my airbag connectors, either on the airbag side or the other end of the yellow wire that connects at the clock spring (or whatever thats called) wouldn't come apart (as seen in the above pic with the knife). Instead of breaking anything, I replaced the harness while holding the airbag and the wheel with one hand and replacing the harness with the other. Still only took 45 minutes or so and worked like a champ! It's truly plug and play. The lights work on the dash and there's no additional work needed other than what has been stated. Its 100% functional as it would be in a non base model car.

$58 plus shipping ended up at $71. They didn't want to sell it to me based on my VIN number (since my VIN verifies I don't have cruise). I told them send it to me anyway.

Congratulations tunes12! Awesome job and work-a-around on the airbag issue.

Just in case anyone is having trouble or anxiety over the airbag connectors or what the clockspring looks like, I'm posting some shots I took during my CC install. The 2 connectors on the airbags have small orange pop-up release tabs. You should be able to lift them with a fingernail or small flat headed screwdriver if necessary. Hope this helps??

 

[GeoSoul]

I got my parts yesterday ($71) and was going to wait until my RedZone steering wheel arrived to do the job. This evening I got impatient and decided to give it a go. About an hour later I was cruising at 50 mph on a country road!!! Yeah, I know I am going to have to spend another hour or so when my wheel gets here, but what a great deal!!! I have no idea why Kia didn't just include this feature and raise the MSRP a couple hundred dollars.

Nice work kcalk55! It's a great feeling to add the "missing link" to the Base Soul. I agree with you, Kia should have made this an option. I think most people would have been willing to pay upwards of $500 (guess?) for a dealer install, I know I would have. The profit margin would be huge for them. They left millions on the table by not offering CC. But then, they needed to prove somehow this is a "base" model, so they left something out for marketing purposes. I'm guessing the same is true with the other missing link: center armrest. With CC added, my Soul has more features and is quieter & rides as well as the Acura I traded in for it. Hardly what I would call "base."

If you can, post a picture when you get the Red Line steering wheel in.

Again, good job!

 

[GeoSoul]

I agree with you 100% jdmartin, spot on analysis. Moving buyers to the automatic & adding some extra features gets the price up really fast (and profits for Kia). It's not even just Kia, seems like the few new cars that come with stick shifts are all sold as "base" models. I truly believe most of the people on this board who bought stick shifts bought them because they love to drive manual transmissions, not to get the "cheapest" model they can. Imagine an Exclaim Whole Shebang with a manual.....sweet! But I guess there wouldn't be enough buyers for it???

I was sad to see the Sportage succumbed to this trend, no more manual transmission starting this year.

Lets hope, like vinyl records, for a come back of the manual tranny. I was glad to see Honda offer the new Accord in a stick.

 

[GeoSoul]

Can you tell me exactly where to order these parts from?

Hi ann54246, I ordered mine from kiapartsnow.com

Total cost, like several other folks mentioned was $71 delivered.

If you need the 2 part numbers to order, billaz listed them in the very first post on this thread.

Best of luck!

 

[GeoSoul]

I put this one on and it looks nice! I will switch it out again since it was pretty easy to do (30 min).

Dude, awesome!

On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being not much difference to 10 being amazing), how would you rate this compared to the stock steering wheel that comes on the MT Base?

Thanks for sharing your great work.

 

[GeoSoul]

KC, giving your new steering wheel an 8 means that I need to get one too! I've never had a leather wrapped wheel, so thanks for sharing your impressions of it.

I can only imagine what your long ride to Seattle would have been like without cruise. Sounds like the trip was great & seeing the M's school Texas made it even better!

What is this keyless entry you speak of? Sounds interesting kc. Is it factory parts or 3rd party. Would love to hear the outcome of the install.

My next project is going to be the factory armrest. Then I'll tackle the steering wheel.

Best of luck with the keyless entry.

 

[GeoSoul]

Just out of curiosity, I called my local KIA dealer's parts department.
Steering wheel Harness = $84.95 + tax
Cruise Control Switch = $34.13 + tax
Special order items, requires prepayment, takes 4 days to get parts

Hey Stiltman, several of us who added cruise paid $71 (total/delivered) from kipartsnow.com. Took about the same 4 days (ships out of CA).

Even if you pay more for parts from your dealer (mine seems to double the price I can get online), the cruise is totally worth every cent.

Good luck!

 

[GeoSoul]

^^^^
Congrats Buttercup on your new cruise control. You'll love it. It works great & is most precise.

 

[GeoSoul]

^^^^
Good luck Stiltman. Let us know how the install goes. I was stoked after I got mine put in. Take your time and double check to make sure all the connections are firmly in place. You'll love having cruise in the MT Soul.

 

[GeoSoul]

I'm decided I was going to have a mechanic family friend do it. New business owner, so he needs the money
Now, it's just a matter of trying to get my car across town to him. Even though it's a quick fix, he just wants me to drop it off for the day.

He may want a little extra time to make sure the power to the airbag is fully discharged. I was a fraiddy cat and let mine go overnight with the battery disconnected. No matter what, you will love your new cruise control!

 

[GeoSoul]

Just got the parts ordered. How sad is that? I've had the car less than 4 hours. Thanks a million for this write-up. It really is a life saver!

Dude, that's not sad, it's great. Get that cruise in asap & you'll never have to look at that ugly cover plate on the steering wheel again! Should take about an hour, well worth the time.

Good luck!

 

[GeoSoul]

Thanks. I really hope it's the same on the '15 as the '14. It doesn't look like they've changed anything, but I'll report back when I get it done. 3-5 days prior to shipping. I wonder how long the shipping takes after that?

Hey ew, I ordered from kiapartsnow.com & they said the same thing 3-5 days (I think that's kinda their schtick to cover their bhinds), but they really ship must faster than that (same with the center armrest, they said 6 weeks & it shipped in 2 days). I bet Iowa is about 3 days out from SoCal. It would be awesome if you got it by next friday, but that might be pushing it.

Is your interior all black or two tone gray/black?

 

[GeoSoul]

It's black. I didn't even know you could order the center armrest. Do you happen to know the part number on that? I'd love to have one of those too!

No problem ew, there's a thread for the armrest. We had to replace the center console too. You'll read about it. I sold my old center console to Armrest Kingdom who is going to fashion an "add on" armrest unit for the 2014 & 2015 base mt model. But not sure when that will happen. Plus I'm picky and wanted OEM armrest. It really makes a nice difference. Plus having the extra hidden storage area is cool. Here's the thread:

http://www.kiasoulforums.com/29-how-diy/36970-2014-manual-soul-armrest-conversion.html

 

[GeoSoul]

Perfect! I'll have a look at that. I got tracking and everything on Friday for the cruise parts. They're supposed to be here by tomorrow! Being on-call this week though, I probably won't get the parts installed until Saturday.

Awesome ew! I'm sure you read all the steps and make sure power has been disconnected at the battery in advance. Once you get the airbag out, you'll be home free. Just remember to gently poke & listen & look for the pop of the 3 pins, right, then left, then bottom. Then lift the horn/airbag combo partially out. Disconnect 3 wires, two to the airbag and the smaller one to the horn. Then take it all the way out & set aside.

Good luck buddy!