CUE Touch screen Removal Procedure Introduction

Early (prior to 2017) CUE touch screens have serious reliability issues.
Common problems include spider cracks, dead touch screens, and unresponsive,
(especially the lower) portions of the touch screen. Under warranty, your repair
cost is covered, but afterwards? You’re on the hook.
Dealerships do not repair the CUE Control Assembly; they swap it out after
charging you upwards of $2000, returning the defective unit to a repair center for
someone else to perform the touch screen replacement.
Several companies offer a core replacement service for the entire CUE
Control Assembly, which means you still have to remove it from the dash and re-
install it when the new one arrives. Meanwhile, you’re left with a car in pieces.
Why pay for the whole assembly when the only thing needed is a new
component? Replacement touch screens are available online for as low as $30, all
the way up to a $400 kit, which includes trim removal tools. My trim removal tool
kit cost less than $40. . .
There’s got to be a better way. . . and now there is.
With a few simple hand tools, you can replace the touch screen by yourself,
saving a lot of money in the process. Touch screen replacement isn’t black magic
or rocket science; it’s actually pretty easy. (Shh . . . dealerships and aftermarket
CUE Control Assembly vendors would rather you believe you have to be a
technician to do it.) If you take your time and follow this procedure, you’ll be able
to do this in a few hours.
This guide is written specifically for the SRX, but the touch screen replacement
portion of it is applicable to all CUE-equipped Cadillacs that use the common
Radio Control Assembly.
 Replacement touch screens are available online for wildly different prices,
ranging from $30 to $400. I comparison shopped on aliexpress.com and found
mine for $30 + shipping. They provided a tracking number and it arrived at my
front door, well-packaged within a week. Both sides of the screen were protected
by a clear screen protector that easily peeled off.

Rule #1: DO NO HARM!

Always remember, if it takes a lot of effort to remove or install a part, you’re
likely doing it wrong or it isn’t aligned. Do not force any parts during the removal
or installation process or you risk damaging something. Some of the interior trim
pieces cost hundreds of dollars, so it pays to be careful.
Automobiles are designed to be assembled and serviced as quickly as possible,
so you shouldn’t have to go through a lot of effort – especially when putting
everything back together. Take your time, use lots of light, and take a “patience
break” if necessary. Don’t perform this procedure when you need to be
somewhere in a few hours. Take pictures as you go to help with re-assembly. Use
a container to collect fasteners, or bag and tag small parts. I’ve documented
quantities of fasteners for each step so you don’t have to, but it never hurts to add
your own notes to this procedure. Send me any suggestions for improvements and
I’ll keep the procedure updated for the next person who wants it.
Required Tools:
7mm Nut Driver
#2 Phillips Screwdriver
Portable Lighting – You can’t have too much!
Plastic Trim Removal Tools
Tweezers
Clean Shop Towels
Optional Tools:
Cordless Screwdriver
Polypus Forceps
Chapman Bit Set
Inspection Mirror
 --Speaking of tools, here are a few of my recommended favorites that have
received plenty of time-tested use over the years:
Eastwood Trim Removal Tool Set – Never use a screwdriver to pry out
interior trim! Nylon trim tools protect plastic (and leather) parts cost many times
the price of this inexpensive kit. You’ll be amazed how often you reach for these.
The 12-piece kit offers a wide variety of sizes to tackle the toughest interior trim
removal job.

(Figure 1. 12-Piece Eastwood Trim Removal Tool Kit)

Chapman Screwdriver Set – I’ve used these professionally and at home for
years. The small ratchet handle driver is great for getting the bits in tight spaces.
A must-have for every tool box.
 (Figure 2. Chapman 7331 Tool Kit)
Polypus Forceps – I hardly ever reach for these, but when I do, nothing can
take their place. These are ideal when a fastener falls into an inaccessible area.
Their small diameter allows them to enter through narrow openings and the
alligator jaws securely hold the fastener during retrieval.

(Figure 3. 10” Polypus Alligator Tipped Forceps)

DeWalt Cordless Screwdriver – Any cordless screwdriver will probably work

out, but I’ve always liked DeWalt tools for their dependability. This lithium-ion
powered tool charges fast and runs all day. It has plenty of torque, and is
gyroscopically-operated, meaning once you press the switch on the handle, all it
takes is a twist of the wrist in the clockwise or CCW direction to activate it. The
lighted end is a nice touch too for those dark corners where automotive fasteners like
to reside.

(Figure 4. DeWalt 8v Cordless Li-Ion Cordless Screwdriver)

SRX Radio Control Assembly Replacement

Removal Procedure
1. Move the left and right front seats to the fully-rearward position.
2. Unclip and reposition the left side Front Floor Console Extension (Item
#1) to access the front floor console cover trim plate fasteners  Item #2).
3. Remove the two Front Floor Console Cover Trim Plate fasteners (Item #2).
4. Remove the left side Front Floor Console Cover Trim Plate (Item #1).
5. Unclip and reposition the right side Front Floor Console Extension (Item
#1) to access the fasteners (Item #2).
6. Remove the Front Floor Console Cover Trim Plate two front floor console
cover trim plate fasteners (Item #2).

7. Remove the right side Front Floor Console Cover Trim Plate (Item #1).
 8. Open the Instrument Panel Center Compartment Door.
9. Note:

The instrument panel center compartment trim does not need to be removed,
only re-positioned.
10.Gently unclip the Instrument Panel Center Compartment Trim (Item
#1) and reposition it rearwards.
11.Remove the two Instrument Panel Center Trim Panel fasteners (Item #2).
12.Disconnect the electrical connectors.
13. Remove the Instrument Panel Center Trim Panel (Item #1).
 14.Remove the four Radio Control assembly fasteners (Item #1).
15.Remove the Radio Control assembly (Item #2).
16.Disconnect the electrical connectors.
17.Transfer components as necessary.

Installation Procedure

1. Connect the electrical connectors.

2. Install the Radio Control assembly (Item #2).
3. Install the four Radio Control assembly fasteners (#1) and tighten to 2.5N-
m (22 in/lb).
4. Connect the electrical connectors.
5. Instrument Panel Center Trim Panel (Item #1) >> Install
6. Install and tighten the two Instrument Panel Center Trim Panel
fasteners (Item #2).
7. Install the Instrument Panel Center Compartment trim (Item #1) ensuring
the retaining tabs are fully-seated.
8. Close the Instrument Panel Center Compartment door.
9. Install the Right Side Front Floor Console Cover Trim Plate Item (#1).
10.Install and tighten the two Front Floor Console Cover Trim Plate
fasteners (Item #2).
11.Install the right side Front Floor Console Extension (Item #1) ensuring the
retainers are fully-seated.

12.Install the left side Front Floor Console Cover Trim Plate (Item #1).
 13.Install the two Front Floor Console Cover Trim Plate fasteners (Item #2).
14.Install the left side Front Floor Console Extension (Item #1) ensuring the
retainers are fully-seated.
15.Return the left and right side front seats to their original positions.

Section 2: CUE Touch Panel Replacement

Introduction:
Workflow: Both side brackets are removed, followed by the rear cover. The
hidden compartment is removed, allowing access to the Touch screen retaining
screws and ribbon connector.
Note: During the CUE Control Assembly Rear cover removal/replacement, two
types of Phillips head screws are used. The coarse-threaded screws are for plastic-
to-plastic fastening. The finer-threaded screws are used for securing the plastic
cover to the metal CUE Control Assembly brackets.
(Figure 1. CUE Control Assembly Rear Cover Screw Types)
1. CUE Control Assembly Bracket Removal

a) With the CUE Control Assembly laying face-down on a soft shop towel,
remove the (6) 7mm retaining screws from the back of the left and right
side brackets.

(Figure 2. Control Assembly Left Side Bracket Fastener Locations)

 (Figure 3. Control Assembly Right Side Bracket Fastener Locations)

2. CUE Control Assembly Rear Cover Removal

a) With the Control Assembly laying face-down on a soft shop towel,

remove the (13) 7mm rear cover screws. Not shown in the following
picture are the (2) side screws and (6) screws near the top edge. Refer to
the note at the beginning of this section for the two types of fasteners
used. In figure 3, the left and right bracket fasteners have been re-
installed in their holes for safekeeping.
 (Figure 4. Control Assembly Cover Lower Fastener Locations)

b) Lift and remove the rear cover from the Radio Control Assembly.
3. Hidden Compartment Removal

a) Remove the (7) Phillips-head screws that secure the hidden

compartment. Note – These are fine-threaded screws.

(Figure 5. Hidden Compartment Fastener Locations)

b) Gently remove the Illuminated USB Receptacle two-wire connector

using your fingertips or tweezers.
 (Figure 6. Illuminated USB Connector Location)

c) Remove the hidden compartment from the bottom side of the Control
Assembly. Opening the compartment door is optional. To open it,
gently lift the door applying pressure to both sides.

(Figure 7. Hidden Compartment Removal)

4. Touch screen Removal

a) Using tweezers, disconnect the Touch screen ribbon cable, by sliding

the plastic connector keeper away from the ribbon cable. The cable
can be removed by gently pulling it out of the edge connector as
shown in figure 8.

(Figure 8. Touch Screen Ribbon Cable Location)

b) Remove the (9) Phillips-head screws surrounding the touch screen

edge using figures 9-11 as a guide.
 (Figure 9. Touch Screen Screw Locations)

(Figure 10. Touch Screen Right Side Screw Locations)

 (Figure 11. Touch Screen Left Side Screw Locations)

c) Prior to installing the new touch screen, be sure to remove the clear
protective backing installed on the inside of the screen (if applicable).
Do not allow fingerprints to contaminate the inside face of the touch
screen!
d) Install the new touch screen, and follow the removal steps in reverse;
route the ribbon cable through the slot first, then seat the touch screen.
e) Ensure the ribbon cable connector is installed with the exposed etch
side face-down, and the pull tab facing inwards when plugged into the
connector receptacle as shown in figures 8 and 9.
f) Be aware that both top corners of the touch screen have (black) guide
pins to align the touch screen on its mounting bracket. See figure 9
for details. Do not over-torque the mounting screws.
 (Figure 12. Ribbon Cable Detail)

(Figure 13. Touch Screen Guide Pin Close-up)

g) Once the CUE Control Assembly centered in the dash and mated to
the power and signal connectors, (the larger of the three) the Touch
screen can be tested to ensure the ribbon cable is seated and the
replacement screen operates correctly.
 As with any procedure, feedback from end users is always appreciated
to improve or clarify it for future users. Contact me with any suggestions
and I’ll incorporate them in a later revision.