Turn Signal Switch: Service and Repair

REMOVAL

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO AIRBAGS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Remove the driver side airbag module from the steering wheel. Refer to Airbag Module in the Removal and Installation for the procedures.
3. if the vehicle is equipped with the optional vehicle speed control, unplug the wire harness connectors from the speed control switches in the steering wheel.
4. Remove the nut that secures the steering wheel to the steering column upper shaft.
5. Remove the steering wheel with a steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428-B).
6. Remove the knee blocker from the instrument panel. Refer to Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators/Instrument Panel/Knee Diverter/Knee Blocker Replacement.
7. If the vehicle is so equipped, remove the tilt steering column lever by grasping the lever firmly and pulling it sharply away from the column.

Lower Steering Column Shroud Screws:

8. Remove the two screws from the bottom of the lower steering column shroud that secure it to the upper shroud.
9. Unsnap the front and both sides of the lower shroud from the upper shroud.

Lower Steering Column Shroud Remove/Install:

10. Tilt the lower shroud downward and slide it back to disengage the hooks from the pivots on the upper shroud.

Upper Steering Column Shroud Remove/Install:

11. Remove the two screws that secure the upper shroud to the steering column.
12. Remove the upper shroud from the steering column.

Steering Column Tie-Wraps:

13. Remove the two lower wire harness tie wraps.
14. Remove the screw from the center of the steering column wire harness connector and unplug the two halves of the connector.
15. Disengage the two multi-function switch wire harness connectors (one 17-way and one 13-way) from the steering column wire harness insulator.

Multi-Function Switch Remove/Install:

16. Remove the two screws that secure the multi-function switch to the steering column.
17. Remove the multi-function switch from the steering column.
18. Reverse the removal procedures to install. During installation, check that the following procedures are accomplished:
- Tighten the multi-function switch mounting screws to 6 N.m (53 in. lbs.).
- Be certain that the new wire harness tie-wraps are installed in the same positions as those that were removed.
- Be certain that the steering column wire harnesses are routed so that they will not be pinched or stretched.
- Be certain that the upper shroud spacer mounting stud is fully seated to the mounting boss on the inside of the shroud.
- Tighten the upper shroud mounting screws to 1.4 N.m (12 in. lbs.).
- Tighten the lower shroud mounting screws to 3.4 N.m (30 in. lbs.).
- Be certain to index the alignment splines in the hub of the steering wheel with the splines on the upper steering column shaft.
- Be certain to route the wire harnesses from the clockspring between the steering wheel back trim cover and the steering wheel armature.
- Tighten the steering wheel nut to 61 N.m (45 ft. lbs.).