evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

i need to replace my turn signal switch, do you guys know how i would go about replacing this? or where i could get one atleast

thanks, Mitch

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Auto parts store? The turn signal switch is common to 1980's GM vehicles. If they don't have one they should be able to order one for you.

Replacing it is kind of a bitch. Are you sure it's the switch? What are the symptoms? To replace it you'll need a handful of specialized tools, snap ring pliers, a lock plate compressor, steering wheel/balancer puller, Torx bits or screwdrivers, etc. You'll have to drop the panels under the dash, and under the column. Then the steering wheel has to come off, the lock plate and cancel cam have to come out, and then you should be able to pull the switch. It's definitely not something you want to do if you don't have to.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Here's a handy dandy recent post with pics... Most everything has to come apart the same.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...eel-grant.html

And a handy exploded diagram from compnine.com

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

First off, are you absolutely sure you need to replace the switch?

Second, the FIRST thing you need to do is disconnect the battery and let the car sit for a few minutes. You DO NOT want that air bag going off (the bag alone is big $$$ to replace and the mess it leaves behind requires full body protection to clean up). Turn the steering wheel so that the front wheels are straight ahead. Then, you go and remove the lower dash panel by the pedals and disconnect the 2-wire connector that has yellow tape on the wires, the air bag's connector assurance connector (the SIR's CPA connector), and tape it off good. Then, you need to remove the bolts holding the air bag on and remove that, with the inflator module (the silver round thing) facing towards you. Set the bag with the inflator down on a workbench or table. Remove the nut holding the steering wheel on and install a steering wheel puller (if you don't have one you can rent it at a store for some change). Follow the directions in your Haynes manual or on the puller kit and pull the wheel off. Install the lock ring puller (you should get one specifically for air bag cars) and install on the steering shaft. Depress the lock ring using the nut on the shaft of the puller, and use a small screwdriver or needle nose pliers (or even lock ring pliers if you have them) to remove the lock ring. Hold the outside of the SIR coil and pull it straight off. DO NOT touch the lever that is on the coil, as it will remain centered. DO NOT turn the steering shaft in any direction with the coil removed so as to avoid having to recenter the coil later. Let the coil hang loose, and remove the second lock ring the same way. Remove the hazard switch ****, the cancelling cam/horn contact, and open the wiring protector that is further down the column, where it bolts to the body. Put the turn signal stalk in the right turn position and remove all 4 philips screws. Remove the connecting link from the stalk and the switch. Disconnect the wiring from the dash harness and slide out of the harness protector. Slide the connector and wiring out of the column as you pull the switch out.

Installation is the reverse. Check to ensure freedom of shaft lock plate movement before reinstalling the steering wheel completely as you do not want to shear off the SIR coil wiring and have to replace it. Holding both ends of the wires as the coil is reinstalled prevents this. Keep them tight.

:edit: You beat me, Drew. And to think I've had the whole assembly as it is in that picture, in pieces (without the air bag coil, of course )... More than once... Oh, and I forgot to mention that you don't want to be sitting in front of the air bag when you remove it just in case it goes off.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

well symptoms are as following...

i can push down my stalk for my turn signals but they dont come on,( they light up on my dash but never kick on the actual lights themselfs)

my wipers dont work

and how i figured out it was broken, i tilted my steering wheel and looked back past my stalk and moves my stalk around and saw the back of the switch itself trying to move away from my steering column

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Have you pushed the switch and walked around the car to see if ANY of them work? Also, do the hazards work when you push the button?

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

yeah iv walked around the car trying to see if either side worked, hoping my stalk was just broken

and my hazard lights work but only on the back of my car, i couldnt get my fronts to work oddly

Drew

iTrader: (58)

I've been there a few times... It's definitely not the first job I'd volunteer for.

That sounds like the switch assembly is junk. Just for fun, double check the connection between the column harness and the body harness before you tear into the car. You might want to consider paying someone to do the job for you. Not that it's impossible, but the tools will cost you most of what a small shop would charge.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Are the rear hazards on steady? Also, does the car have daytime running lamps that you know of? The DRL module controls all of the exterior lights based on whether it senses that the surrounding environment is light or dark. If you know where the RPO code sheet is (should be in the console, on the bottom of the armrest/door), and still have it, you should look for T61 (DRL RPO code).

:edit: We can't go any further without knowing this because the exterior lights system is on 2 different wiring diagrams and 2 different flow charts without knowing whether the car has the T61 option or not.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

if you mean if my hazard lights on the back blink at the same time yes, and i looked on my cente console arm today and i didnt see anything unless you are talking about the back hatch compartment, and as far as daytime running lamps, i have no clue

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

So much for doing things the easy way... Unless the RPO code sheet is attached to the insulation on the inside of the rear glove compartment door (driver's side, of course)... I think I've seen a couple there.

If you have the DRL system (and can't find the RPO sheet), the module will be hanging down towards the floor to the driver's door side of the fuse panel.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

The DRL option was mostly an export option to Canada. I've yet to see a thirdgen destined for the US with the DRL option.

camaronewbie

Since you are 1990, you have yellow lettering - so only place to get a matching turn signal switch will be ebay, or Thirdgen Ranch, or Hawks - someplace like that.

If you want to settle for a white lettered switch (not matching the rest of your interior color), then any advance or autozone has them in the HELP! section.

For the airbag - follow the directions for disabling in your manual - if you don't have a manual, get a Haynes book - you need one anyway.

It's not that bad of a job, just takes patience and a thorough remembering of how everything came apart so you can put it all back in. You'll need a steering wheel puller that you can "rent" from advance, autozone, etc.

While your at it, might as well go through the thread about tightening your tilt wheel and do that as well - you'll almost be that far into the column anyway.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

there is a paper in there but its blank(probley from when my hatch wasnt closed and all the water was running into that compartment) so all the water finally erased all the writing on it i guess, and since im missing my driveside kickpanel and the fuse cover it should be easy to find the DRL system

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

i dont have to replace my stalk do i? i thought the switch was inside my steering colomn?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

The stalk just pulls out, it's not part of the switch. Just make sure you get the right switch for your year and it should be fine.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

also i want to add that my dim lights dont work, i dont know if this is any help but i also heard that my problem wasnt my turn signal switch and that it was my dimmer switch? could this also be true?

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Not sure what you mean my dim lights, but the dimmer for the interior lights, along with the dimmer for the head lights, are both independent of the turn signals. The dimmer for the interior lights is ONLY for the interior lights, and the dimmer for the headlights is ONLY for the headlights.

Still need to know if you have the DRL module... could be an import, I guess. I'm willing to bet that you do because the rear turn signals are independent of the DRL module while the fronts plug into it. Also, it could be that the stalk/windshield wiper switch has become disconnected from the turn signal switch somehow.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

i mean my low beams or low lights, and my question was could my dimmer switch also cause the problems iv listed because the dimmer switch is also near the turn signal switch correct?

also does anyone have a picture of the DRL module looks like? i looked today but i didnt see anything hanging

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

The module isn't really hanging, but it's pointed so that it's flat against the body shroud. There would be 2 connectors pointing towards the pedals out of a box that is on the left side of the fuse panel. Guess you don't have it, though.

The dimmer isn't near the turn switch... It's down the column by the ignition switch, on the left side.

Do the high beams work? Do ANY of the lights in the front end work?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

The stock DRL system has a photoelectric eye in the dash pad... If it's not there, no DRL.

The high beam switch is on the column, independant of the turn signal switch, but depending on how horked the column is, the lever might not activate the switch correctly. Pretty sure the high beam switch is part #83 in the diagram above... The high beam switch is adjustable, and if the column is loose the rod that trips the switch might not have enough travel. If it clicks when you pull the lever towards the drivers seat the adjustment is fine.

I'm with Maverick on this one... What exactly are each of the symptoms with the lights?

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

well if i used my actuall light switch **** i can turn on my dash lights and my brights, but i dont have my dim lights from that switch, just my dash

also my steering wheel has alot of play in it meanng it wobbles alot so if that helps at all

Drew

iTrader: (58)

The wobbly steering wheel is either loose pivot pins (#39) or loose bolts (#61)... Both can cause the rod not to activate the high beam switch. It sounds like you're due for a steering column service, either way.

Since the turn signal switch plugs in and completes the circuit, you can connect a new turn signal switch without installing it in the column to check to see if it's going to fix it before tearing into the column. Technically you could just hotwire the connections at C210 to see if the function works independent of the switch.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

I see you have a scanner of sorts... I don't. He could probably also use the headlight and interior light (also interior lights dimming) wire diagrams.

Am I the only one still confused by what he means by dim lights? Does he mean the interior lights won't dim down from full brightness or that the headlights won't switch from high to low beams?

BTW, I used to have a wobbly steering column and never had a problem with the headlight dimmer... Maybe the cam lever thing in there (21 in that diagram above) that runs between the wiper switch and the dimmer relay rod is broken or missing?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

I do have a scanner... Sorta. Some stuff I have scanned, some I don't. When I need to scan something I don't already have on file, it means I have to go pull the scanner out of a closet, bring it in, reboot, scan, upload, post... So yeah, I'm lazy. LOL There are probably a dozen pages that may be useful, but balancing a 4" thick book with a worn binding on the scanner is a bit more then I want to get into.

I'm under the impression his headlights are stuck on the high beams. That's assuming all four headlights are lit.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

At least you have one... Mine won't work with my laptop (older than USB ) and the all-in-one printers are a PITA to use just for the scanner, and none of them have a preferred floating hinge. I'd use my digital cam, but I don't have a tripod at the moment so the text could be a little difficult to read .

We'll have to wait for him to answer about the "dim lights".

:edit: Forgot I had these on my computer from AustinTG.org...

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

what i was saying by my "dim lights" where my low beams, i can only get my high beams to turn on....

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Drew, maybe you could help us with a Camaro headlight diagram... I didn't realize the one I posted was for a Bird and doesn't have the split light system. :edit: And my service manual is the same, being it's for a 92 Bird.

Mitch, do you have any lights that work in the front end other than the high beam headlights?

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Are all four head lights on or just the inside pair?

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

no, only my high beams work

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

and drew, i believe its all 4, i could be mistaken but i believe its all four

Drew

iTrader: (58)

If all four are lit, then I'd say they're just stuck on high beams.

I think your turn signal switch is broken. It sounds like there's an open between the wires carrying voltage in, and the wires carrying voltage out. That's why the rear lights work but the front don't, because they're different parts of the switch. There's a possibility the connection could be bad where the switch plugs into the dash harness, or at the C100 bulkhead connector, or both grounds G103 & G104 could be bad.

I'd probably start by connecting a test light at C210 between the Lt Blu wire and a ground... With the left turn signal activated the light should flash. The same test between the Dk Blu wire and ground should flash with the right turn activated.

Do the front marker lights come on with the headlights? If not that would point to a headlight switch problem, C100 again, or the grounds.

C100 is in the firewall below/next to the master cylinder and brake booster.

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

That's what I was thinking, knowing the other things that are wrong with his car (missing a lot of parts, for one thing), that the C100 was screwed up. Which is why I asked if any of the other lights in the front end were working.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

is see mavrick remembers me from when i was having problems with my IAC and ignition module, my cars coming together fairly fast though suprisingly

and Drew, what are the front marker lights? im lost

Drew

iTrader: (58)

The parking lights... ie the turn signals when the turn signal isn't turned on, but the headlights are. LOL

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

See, your headlight switch has 2 "clicks" or stops when you pull the **** out. The first is for the parking lights, the second is for headlights. Pull the **** out to the first "click" or stop and check to see if any of the lights in the front end are on. That would be the first thing to check.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

no, those dont come on...

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

note that i had to do this by myself so i did it at night, on the first click i didnt get any outside lights, only some interior lights, second click i got my brights

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Next to the brake booster, on the firewall itself, there is a large black connector, that has a large and a smaller (but still big) wiring harness coming out. Check to make sure it is completely seated (not loose at all, should be screwed into the dash half). Also, check your TAIL fuse to see if it is blown. It is possible that not only is the C100 (firewall connector) messed up, but your headlight switch is screwy as well.

1Aauto

If you end up needing a switch we do carry them. CamaroTurn Signal Switch

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

tony, you guys don't have a switch for my year of car 1990

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Should be the same from 1985-92, with the exception of changing the **** (which has to be removed regardless). Same for the turn signal switch.

BTW, if you look on the left side of your steering column, you will see a metal rod running to the headlight dimmer switch (white box with round receptacle on end, the rod sticks straight out of the receptacle). Push the rod (actuator rod) towards the switch and see if the dimmer will switch over to the low beams.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

ok, im going to be busy all this week getting the rest of my engine parts so friday ill pop the hood and look for the black box near my firewall and that rod, thank you guys for all the help on this, if i cant figure this out soon its going to godwins ( local car electrical shop)

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

I'll try to get pics tomorrow, but I have to work late so I might not have much light when I get home. The 2 things I would check, if I were you, would be the TAIL fuse (20A) and see if the dimmer rod will actuate the headlight dimmer switch (items 77 and 83 in the column exploded diagram above). The TAIL fuse provides power to all of the exterior lights with the exception of the headlights.

:edit: Also check the TURN B/U fuse (also 20A) by putting the shifter in Reverse... That provides power for the turn signals (STOP HAZ fuse is independent and provides power only to the brake lights and the hazard warning lights).

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

the tail fuse wouldnt really would be my issue would it?, ill still check it out but im having problems with my headlights and i guess my front markers

1Aauto

HI, yes we do have them available I had them added in for you guys. 1990 Camaro Turn Signal Switch

Maverick H1L

iTrader: (8)

Like I said before, all of the exterior lights, with the exception of the bright ones (brake lights, turn signals, reverse lights, hazard lights, and the headlights), run through the TAIL fuse. If it is blown, the only lights you will have are the brake lights (STOP HAZ fuse), the headlights (controlled by a breaker either external of or inside the headlight switch, not sure about the Camaro), the hazard warning flashers (STOP HAZ fuse again), and the reverse lights (TURN B/U fuse). The exterior lights include the front markers, the front turn signals' dim filaments, the rear markers (both in the tail lights and on the side of the car by the rear bumper), and the brake lights' dim filaments.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

well i got my steering wheel apart and got to the turn signal switch and its busted, i had a metal link or rod that had fallen off of the switch so im going to order a new one from iaauto and hope this fixes my issue, also the black box i thought was my dimmer switch is on the left side and as your taking out of the turn signal switch you have to take a bolt out to get the switch out completely, the turn signal stalk is pressed into it.

BIRD91ZRAG

iTrader: (1)

The turn signal stalk gets pushed into the wiper switch. The wiper switch pivots around the pin and then pushes on a black sliding actuator that's curved on the end to match the metal rod alongside the left side of the housing. This rod is what actuates the dimmer switch, which is down on the base of the column opposite side of the ignition switch.

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

Doubt he's waiting 10 years after!