Mkos1980

iTrader: (8)

I cant think of the name off hand but you guys know what I am talking about. I'm replacing it due to that its fading out, and I'm reduing the interior. Thanks

ede

have fun it just pulls out and you have to fish the new wires back in. it's a 4 wire connector, find it ,tie a piece of fish line to it, pull it out then tie the line to the new part to pull it back in with.

Mkos1980

iTrader: (8)

i dont get it. Ok it pulls out then i have to connect the new wires to the connector inside? I dont understand the fine line part of pulling out and using fishing line to put it back in. (I'm kinda slow)

ede

ever do a turn signal switch? the wires run down the inside of the column and connect at the bottom ,same way with the cruse control, 4 wires run down the inside of the column and connect at the bottom. unplug the bottom harness and tie the line to it then pull it out, if you wait till after you pull it out you'll have a hard time gettign the new wires back in

ohohblita

i just cut the wires cuz im lazy LOL. it works tho.

camaronewbie

You have to get a puller and remove the steering wheel don't you? I just saw all that good stuff under mine when I replaced my ignition switch. Pulling the wires through wasn't that hard. At the bottom of my steering column there is a plastic piece that slides up into the column, and holds the wires tight by squeezing them (kinda a wedge - wedges the wires in the column). After I removed the wedge, I had lots of easy pulling of wires. I just fished the new wires for my ignition switch (the security diode wire) down the column with a straightened coat hanger.

I also saw replacement signal switches at Auto Zone and Advance Auto really cheap (compared to dealer) - if you haven't bought it yet. I also got the pullers from Auto Zone (FREEBIE RENTALS with deposit).

Make sure you disconnect airbag properly (if you have one). They can ruin a perfectly good day!

Worst part for me ... I didn't have the pliers to remove the retainer clip inside under the steering column (holds that plate thing), and I broke the clip when I forced a screwdriver in there.

Lesson: have access to another ride to get to hardware store and get a new retainer clip!

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

As far as I know the wheel has to come off. That's the easy part though. There's a metal ring that holds the park-lock plate in place. Getting that back on after you're done is a *****.

IHI

iTrader: (1)

No, no, no... the wheel does not have to come off, I had to do the same thing with my car cause the wipers would'nt work. Push in on the turn signal lever-push it towards the column, at the same time rotate it towards the drivers seat, this unlockes it from the factory position. Like ede siad there is a plug on the steering column where all the wires come together, unplug it, and yes tie, tape, what ever you can do to bring a "fishline..fishtape" to come up through the column with the old wires. When installing the new turn signal switch I taped & tied the new wires to my heavy duty string and started to fish it back down through the column. I found it alot easier to get the wire back down by articulating the tilt steering while pulling on the string-musta freed up things once in awhile down there cause there was 1 spot that I was terrified it was not gonna pass, but it did. PITA factor bout a 4 on a scale to 10, more of a time consuming process than mentally straining-IF you do it the right way.

Mkos1980

iTrader: (8)

I gotcha Thanks

KTMAC

Anyone have the wiring diagram for the cruise level(switch connections to those four wires)??

TunedPort350

I think there may have been a little confusion on what he is replacing. I am just summarizing here for future readers clarification.

If you need/wish to replace just the "multi-function lever" (technical name for the stick with the writing on it) then you do not need to pull the steering wheel. The only wires that come out of that are the cruise control (if you have it) wires. You just pull the lever straight out and pull the wires through (with a "fish line" attached at the connector end to re-pull the new wires back through). The "fish line" could be twine or a piece of old wire. I usually use a piece of 18 awg wire.

If you need to replace the wiper/washer switch (which is what the lever plugs into) then you do need to pull the steering wheel. The same hold true for the turn signal switch, which is located just behind the lock plate. When replacing either of these two switches, a lock plate remover is very cheap at your local auto parts store and is worth every penny when it comes time to remove the lock plate.

iErc

Good info. How about if the high beam rod "bracket" on the back side of the wiper / washer broke off ? there is nothing to push the rod toward the high beam switch. HELP ! Due insp and need high beams to pass (92 RS)

FireDemonSiC

The turn signal lever will pull straight out, but it is VERY IMPORTANT that it is in the CORRECT POSITION before you try this. I believe it is with the wipers turned OFF. I got pissed at mine because it wouldn't come out (Due to it being rotated in the on position), and just ripped it right out.

I ended up breaking the wiper switch. Results were not pretty. The wiper got stuck in the on position and I had to run to radioshack that same day with the wiper motor unplugged and get a toggle switch to rig up a ghetto wiper on/off while I waited for a new switch to arrive. I had to take apart the column to replace the switch.

Use some music wire to fish the cruise control wire down through the column. It's tricky, but can be done without pulling the wheel.

Jerome Casi

Mine was not done correctly when someone took it apart and am trying to get car back to normal, so I have two sets of wires hanging from the multi function switch, one I believe is a box for 4 pins, and the other 2 pins (cant remember). Are both of these for cruise control, or is one for the delay wipers (as mine dont work). Appreciate any clarification on the wires, why cant people fix stuff the right way :/

herbz28

iTrader: (1)

you do not have to remove the steering wheel to change out the turn signal lever. I followed the intructions given here and it came out super easy. The only issue i had was trying to fish the line down the column. i just tucked it out of the way for now to get it to pass safety

Mark_Hardware

Why don't you tie a line to the existing wires BEFORE removing the old lever. Then, when you pull the old wires out blammo your string is already ran through! Now attach your new wires to that same string and pull er on back through. Easy peasy

herbz28

iTrader: (1)

yeah tried that but it kept getting stuck towards the top i am not too worried about it right now when i get some time on the weekend i will fish it thru

gchille

This was perfect instructions! I have been dreading doing this and thought I would have to pull the steering wheel. Following your instructions the process took about 15 mins or so. The biggest thing for me was trying to find the wires under all of the alarm and stero wires. Once again, thank you for the post!

M G Brewer

my windshield wipers arent working either. i troubleshot it down to the wires that come from the steering column, cuz i would finally stop blowing fuses once i unplugged it. so what your saying is u just replaced the signal lever and it was a fix for you?

455 big block

I know this is an old thread but I have an odd and newbie question...

Is the connector different for switches that have or dont have cruise? thanks

eseibel67

No cruise likely has no wire at all, just the stick.

455 big block

well- im replacing the whole lever because the wipers dont work... except when i bypass the lever...

.. i dont currently have cruise, but i can have a lever with cruise for free if the wiper wiring will just clip in (i'll keep what i have if i have to start rewiring things...)

yino18

I'm trying to troubleshoot why my wipers only work partially for a couple seconds. I would guess it's wiring or the switch. Does the plastic piece near the lever on the steering column pop off somehow to reveal the wiper switch? It seems like some wiring wiper switches/wires are $130+. Are most wiper problems coming from the switch area in the car or from bad connections to the wiper motor on the firewall? Suggestions?

455 big block

Im not sure about your problem specifically, but a good way to check is how i checked mine. Look at your manual for which wires go to and from the switch and just bypass it as close to the wiper motor as you can. if they turn on then you know the motor is good. just keep bypassing things until you find where the break is. thats how i know mine is in/ near the switch, and not the motor or wires before the switch.

hope that helps

G.Ride

Any help if my fish line comes off? It came off pulling it up... how the heck do I thread the line back down? Seems nearly impossible now...

any help apprieciated

yino18

Can you thread a new fish line up with a hanger wire or some skinny rod? Then attach it to the wires.

G.Ride

its just so tight...after the fish line came off I still had a hell of a time pulling up the original wire. Ah well...I just did a test ride with new wire plugged in just hanging outside the column and cruise didn't work (didn't work with old switch). So not sure i'll bother with cruise wire now..

FireballXL5

I have a query, say if the turn/wiper arm does not have delay for the wipers, can it be switched with one that has delay on it or is there some other equipment I need to replace to us this function.

ASE doc

FireballXL5, you really should start your own thread. No one's going to know you're here looking for help on someone else's thread. If you want interval wipers, you'll need an interval wiper motor and/or an interval wiper module with a matching motor and switch, along with the correct harness to connect everything. You don't say what year your car is. GM changed designs a few times over the years.

ASE doc

Multifunction switch

FireballXL5

Thanks wasn't sure about that, but kind of knew in the back of my mind.

yeud619

Clip pliers?