I tried doing some work on my cluster and dropped the steering column. Long story short, when I bundled everything up, my highbeam switch does not function. I can tell it's the switch itself because it doesn't "click" when I pull the lever forward. Anyone knowhow to take this switch out so I can either repair it or swap it out?

 

on the other forum i gave you the link here to how I resolved it. I had the column apart at least 6 times messing with the little plastic piece which pushes the metal rod. Use the search feature here on fixing a loose column and you will see pictures of the column. Or, spend the $8 and put on a floor switch and don't look back. I don't get all caught up on things like the column switch vs a floor switch.

 

Look underneath the column and watch when you pull back the lever and you will see the rod that pushes in on the switch to change it back and forth. The switch is held on with two little 5/16 bolts that loosen and allow this problem. Loosen slightly and pull the switch forward to take up the slack. Adjust this with the wheel tilted to where you usually have it to drive. Tighten up snugly and you should be set

 

I figured out the issue. When I dropped the column to deal with another unrelated issue, as I bundled everything back up, a relay hanging underneath the dashboard was sitting on top of the switch and stopping it from engaging/disengaging. When I dropped the column, the switch started working again and I saw the relay dangling right about the switch. Pushing it out of the way was the fix.

I have another question that could be related. I'd like to swap out the lever with a new one. The lever I currently have is all worn and I'd like to replace it with one in better condition. How do I go about taking the lever out?

 

The lever just pulls straight out, but if you have cruise control, getting to that plug to disconnect and reconnect is a little trickier. If not it's easy out and snap right back in

 

Yes, I have cruise. Is there any release that I have to press or it just pulls straight out and unplugs?

 

Just pulls right out, from memory it's got a spring loaded ball or some such holding it in place. Give it a real good tug. Don't know about the cruise connector, my PO chopped it off grrrr....

 

You can't just PULL it out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is a procedure to remove it. IIRC you twist the stalk toward you and then pull it out. Also if you have cruise there will be wires and a plug that are connected to the stalk and threaded down inside the steering column and plugs in to the wiring loom near the column base.

There are complete instructions around here!
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...nal-wiper.html

 

Sure you can! The procedure is:

1. Grab it.
2. Pull it out.

I just went out and did it, to verify. Has a bit of a detent 'snap' to it.

Of course if you have cruise, it gets more involved because of the connector. You will have to either use some fishing line to pull it thru, or dismantle the top of the column to remove the connector with the stalk - like in the link posted.

Or just chop it off right at the stalk like my PO did, again grrrr!