Oops 75 Steering column in a 76... plug different
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
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Oops 75 Steering column in a 76... plug different
oops... i put a 75 column in a 76 and the electrical plug is different, its very similar but doesnt fit together.
I already sold the old column for parts
I was under the assumption it was a direct swap... any suggestions? does anyone have a plug that will work or know where to get one? I think the column is a 75.
Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks
I already sold the old column for parts
I was under the assumption it was a direct swap... any suggestions? does anyone have a plug that will work or know where to get one? I think the column is a 75.
Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
For some reason there are minor differences in the later "harmonica" connectors. Your problem would indicate the change(s) occured between 1975 and 1976.
I am sure that you can find the interference points and carefully file the new connector to make if fit your vehicle wiring.
I know that this is preaching to the choir but you should have tried the new turn signal switch connector before selling off your old steering column. What you could have done was removed the old connector and swapped it onto the new column wiring.
You have another alternative. Any GM steering column (T&T, tilt, or standard non-adjustable) from the 1969 through 1975 can supply another harmonica connector. Find an old, wrecked, virtually worthless column from those years and just cut off the old harmonica connector and swap it onto the wires from your new column.
The following is how you remove the individual wires and metal contacts from the harmonica connector.
Straighten a heavy paper clip or use a very thin blade screwdriver. Insert it into the “harmonica” connector from the contact side to disengage each wire and contact. There should be a small molded square channel in the connector that will guide you to a metal tang on the contact that holds it in place. Once you depress the tang and pop the wire and contact out of the connector, you should take a small knife blade and bend the tang back out so that it will engage the connector correctly upon reinstallation.
Good luck,
Jim
I am sure that you can find the interference points and carefully file the new connector to make if fit your vehicle wiring.
I know that this is preaching to the choir but you should have tried the new turn signal switch connector before selling off your old steering column. What you could have done was removed the old connector and swapped it onto the new column wiring.
You have another alternative. Any GM steering column (T&T, tilt, or standard non-adjustable) from the 1969 through 1975 can supply another harmonica connector. Find an old, wrecked, virtually worthless column from those years and just cut off the old harmonica connector and swap it onto the wires from your new column.
The following is how you remove the individual wires and metal contacts from the harmonica connector.
Straighten a heavy paper clip or use a very thin blade screwdriver. Insert it into the “harmonica” connector from the contact side to disengage each wire and contact. There should be a small molded square channel in the connector that will guide you to a metal tang on the contact that holds it in place. Once you depress the tang and pop the wire and contact out of the connector, you should take a small knife blade and bend the tang back out so that it will engage the connector correctly upon reinstallation.
Good luck,
Jim
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Thanks again! it all worked out, filed it down a bit and it popped right together. thanks for the spade removal tip. The electrical on this car is pretty fun, been studyin the schematic, i do have a few mystery wires that don't appear on the schematics. Tomorrow ill be chasin' grounds ... thinking about crankin the ol' boat anchor soon!
