Random Electrical Issues on the Steering Wheel and the Air Conditioner

I took the car into a reputable repair shop, 5 stars on Yelp. This was the diagnosis. It does make sense since the steering column does appear to be the source. I know it's high mileage but the Kia is great, going strong with very few repairs still. I'm a big fan and will buy another Kia when this one finally goes, maybe around 300,000 miles

Recommendations
The customer states that the cruise control is not active.
There is no response when the button is pressed. The
customer also states that the audio buttons on the
steering wheel are malfunctioning as well. Inspect and
recommend repairs.

$95.00 Diagnostic / Inspections Fee
1. Clocksprings and steering switch: Connected a scan
tool and found code B1481 - Driver-Side Air Bag
Resistance Too High (2nd Stage). Visually inspected the
left front air bag wiring harness and connector, but found
no obvious signs of damage. Used the scan tool to clear
the air bag clear code. Disconnected the battery and
waited 1 minute for the air bag module to depower.
Installed a 0.9 to 6.6 Ohm air big simulator in place of the
left front air bag. Connected the battery, turned the key on
and waited 30 seconds for the air bag module to run
diagnostics. Used the scan tool to check air bag codes
and observed the B1481 code returned. Depowered the air
bag system, disconnected the steering wheel clockspring
connector, placed multi-meter leads across the steering
wheel clockspring terminals and measured resistance.
Upon measuring the resistance of the steering wheel
clockspring, discovered there was no continuity, which
indicated the steering wheel clockspring was faulty.
Replace clockspring and steering switch as a whole

The word "dual" above the right side knob indicates that it is in dual mode where the temperature for the driver and passenger side can be controlled independently. This is for when one person likes it cooler than the other person, for example. Dual mode is activated by pressing the middle of the right/passenger side button/knob.

To turn off dual mode, press the middle of the left/driver side button/knob. This will put it into Auto mode. In this mode, the temperature is the same for both driver and passenger and is controlled by the left knob.

To turn off Auto mode, you need to manually take over each item that the climate control automates:

• A/C
• Fan
• Mode
• Recirculation mode

So, I press each of these buttons to turn them on and then press each of them again to turn them off. I think you can also turn OFF the climate control and then just hit the fan button to turn it back on...not sure about this method. For each button that you do not press, the climate control still controls it. So, if you don't hit the Fan up or down button, the Fan speed can change depending on the temperature program of the system.

When it's not hot outside, I don't use Auto mode and just let the air come in from outside. When it gets hot, I usually use Auto and find the right temperature by adjusting the left knob. In Auto mode, a lot of times I'll adjust the Mode and sometimes the Fan. I'll adjust the mode as a lot of times the climate control doesn't direct air to the footwell unless there is a big temperature difference. I find it usually adjusts the fan well except when I want it at max fan speed without setting extreme temperatures on the climate control.

Hopefully, this is the reason for your AC issues.