SLAYER6669

iTrader: (1)

Can someome please explain what this is exactly? I have to replace my steering column and at the moment I'm about to disassemble the one in the car to put this one in, but before that I'm swapping the ignition lock cylinders so the SIR coil needs to come off.. What is involved in putting this back on in "alignment".. anyone have a scan of this from a service manual maybe? Thanks!

Also, I don't think I'm going to beable to snake that connector for the ignition lock cylinder through the column since its so tight, would it be fine to simply just cut off the connector and shrink tube the wires together?

Benm109

I don't have a scan from the service manual, but I can describe it, it's not hard at all. When you look at the back of the SIR coil, you should look for 2 things. 1 is a small tab that you can press down on and it causes the inside of the coil to want to move. The other thing is an arrow pointing in a certain direction imprinted into the back of the SIR coil. It should be near the tab or button.

To recenter the SIR coil, all you have to do is depress the tab, turn it in the direction of the arrow until it stops, and then turn it 2 1/2 turns in the opposite direction. Release the tab, and reinstall the SIR coil. That's it.


For your 2nd question, I have a suggestion. To make things a whole lot easier, tie a string to the end of the old ignition lock cylinder wires. Then, when you snake the old cylinder out, you got that string in place of where the wires were. So, when your ready to install the new lock cylinder, just tie that string to the end of the new lock cylinder wires, and slowly pull the new wires through the steering column. Works great and saves a lot of time.

SLAYER6669

iTrader: (1)

Thanks man. That's exactly how I did attempt to pull the ignition lock cylinder out of the "new" column (it doesnt have a key so it's useless to me) but once I got to the connector, it just got stuck and would not go through the bunch of wires, so I just pulled the connector and snaked the wire through with the string, i have the string going through there so i can put the stock ign lock cyl back in the "new" column. I'll try to salvage the connector when I go to pull the ign cyl from the stock column since that's the one I'm putting in there and hopefully I'll have better luck..

Now I just need to figure out how that pink tab comes out of the yellow SIR connector under the knee bolster, tricky little things! I tried for a few minutes then it got dark so I stopped for the night in fear of being eaten alive by bugs!

Benm109

I had a similar thing happen when I replaced my ignition lock cylinder. Everything was fine until I fishing the new wiring and connector through the steering column. It kept getting caught on something and wouldn't go past it, so I just decided to yank on the string as hard as I could to try and unjam it, and guess what, the connector broke off! It was nothing that some solder and heat shring tubing couldn't fix, but I felt so stupid for trying that.


Anyway, that little tab that holds the SIR connector should just pop right off. Either a little prying from a small screwdriver or some needle nose pliers should do the trick.

SLAYER6669

iTrader: (1)

I'm at the part where I have to align the coil. I pressed in the tab and turned it all the way in the direction of the arrow on the bottom, and then turned it 2 and half turns back the other direction.

The only question I have with it is on the TOP of the coil, theres 2 arrows, 1 on the yellow part and 1 on the black part, are these 2 arrows supposed to line up together? When going 2 1/2 turns they do not match up with each other.. Anyone? Stuck until I know the answer to this..

Also, for the ignition lock cylinder, where exactly is the connector that attaches to the 2 white wires thats covered with the orange shield located in the car? I accidently forgot about this connector and i just yanked the column out so the wires just puled out of the connector I can't seem to find where it plugs into the car at.. The alarm wires are giving me a headache.

SLAYER6669

iTrader: (1)

if anyone has a picture of where the ignition lock cylinder (orange shield with 2 white wires inside) plugs into under the dash please post it.. I seriously can't find anywhere it should go with all these alarm wires shoved under there..

Benm109

No, I don't thing they have to line up together. It's been a while since I recentered my SIR coil, but I don't remember using the front side for that. Although, the arrow on the black part of the front of the SIR coil should be pointing up when reinstalling it.
I can get you a picture, but it's going to be a while. It will either be late today or earlier tomorrow before I can get a pic.

SLAYER6669

iTrader: (1)

Update, I found the connector for the ignition lock cylinder.. Guess what? I wasted my time snaking that wire down the column beacuse when my alarm's remote start was installed (the car used to be an automatic) they wired in a resisitor to bypass the VATS system so the remote start would work. I never even realized it until now and after reading its a white/black and purple/yellow wires that the connector from the lock cyl connects into, I located them and traced em to the taped up mess with the resistor in it and the connector with the 2 white wires.. That's why I couldnt find the connector, it was all taped up. I guess I can just leave that wire from the ignition lock cyl hanging around right? And I thought I yanked the white wires right out of the connector leaving the connector in the car with the column lol..

Now the only issue I have left is connecting the steering column shaft back on to the steering shaft.. It doesnt seem to wanna fit back on, it's kinda like it's too short and its very tight to slip back on.. I gotta go out tonight so I'll try with some grease tomorrow.. Does it matter how the steering wheel goes back on? Since this is a totally different column I don't know what position the wheel was pulled from, and after this it's going back for a front end alignment and they have to recenter the steering wheel anyway..

Benm109

I sure would. You never know when you might want to hook the VATS system back up. Oh, and it might be a good idea to tie that lock cylinder wire up somewhere you just keep it away from moving parts. Loose wiring under the steering column tends to get cut or slit very easily for some reason (trust me, I know).

SLAYER6669

iTrader: (1)

Good point on leaving it there incase I want to reconnect vats, infact, I actually SHOULD.. the next thing I'm doing is disabling that remote start before I have a problem.. If it goes off while the car is in gear, BOOM