Like an idiot, I pulled out the wiper switch, it's not broken, but I'm worried about breaking in in an attempt to put it back in.

There's a tab on the end of the lever shaft, I lined it up with the female side. After a moderate force, it went in a little bit, but it's not in all the way. I'm worried about forcing it. Is there a trick to inserting the lever?

 

Nope, just pull straight out and push back in. Don't pull it out far enough to break off the cruise connector though if you have that. If it's not seated right take back out and make sure it's lined up on the lever to off for the wipers and then just stick it back in with the lever oriented like it was before

 

Nope, something is wrong. Yesterday when I looked into the switch where the lever inserts, there was a small tab that stuck out a little bit. I think that's the part that ends up in the groove near the tip of the lever.

I tried to push the lever in, but it wasn't moving. I looked and it seems that little tab has moved and now it's completely blocking the opening.

​

 

There are two "tabs" to line up.One on the metal rod & one on the plastic shroud.

 

So, the pieces of metal I saw blocking the opening was in fact a broken piece of the switch. I used a paper clip to fish it out. I was finally able to get the lever in, but i can't turn off the wipers. I can operate the intermediate, lo, and hi, but it's loose in the CCW direction and won't shut off the wipers. I guess i need to replace the switch.

 

Hard to tell w/ out pics.Most of the wiper switch is plastic.

 

The piece broke off just inside the opening where the lever inserts. I looked at what the "turn signal switch" looks like and I'm not sure that's the right part.

 

If the part the lever slips into is busted, that would be the wiper switch. The turn signal switch is driven of an arm that goes between the two switches.

 

It's definitely the wiper switch. I'm having trouble finding a replacement part number. All I find is a generic switch that looks like something from radioshack. Anyone have the part number?

Edit: I don't know if it matters, but I don't have cruise control and the wiper functions are INT,LO, HI

 

Without Cruise Control - 26017186
With Cruise Control -26017185

GM says the 86 switch is still available from dealers.

Rock Auto lists a Standard replacement for the w/cruise option, but nothing for without.
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=45033

 

Thanks for the info. I went ahead and ordered the 26017186 part.