Anyone know how I can pull the wires of the signal switch out of the steering column. Do I have to take the wires out of the plastic connector? If so how do I do that.

 

Wilcox has a good article on line that 'splains how to do it.... just changed mine and had
to remove the wires from the plastic connector on the new switch and pulled the new harness through the column using the old harness as the tool.

mardyn

 

you will need a lock plate pulley to access the turn signal switch assemble.
You do not have to remove the indiviual pins, from the "Harmonica" connector.
after you have the switch assemble loose, you can fold the wires over the harmonica connector.
and extract out thru the top of the steering column. tie a string on to the connector before you pull out, then use this string to pull back in the switch and wiring.

 

My connector will not fit up through the steering column if it didn't have any wires hooked to it.
I will have to remove the wires from the connector.
I have it apart already and am ready to pull the old switch out.

 

Got the new signal switch in. Just needed to get a bigger hammer.

 

Here is the write up in case someone else needs help down the road with this same question.

http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=313

 

Removing the Turn Signal Switch
Option #1 If you have a T&T column, I have found it much easier to “fish” the wires and the harmonica electrical connector up through the column when the steering column is out of the car.

Begin by wrapping the edge of the plastic "harmonica" turn signal switch connector and the wires that lead back into the column with tape to keep them in a line. This will help prevent the connector from cocking and snagging as you pull the turn signal switch wires up through the column. You want the tape to form a very smooth “bullet” nose between the connector and the wiring. However, you do not want the tape to be very thick! Clearances are extremely tight coming up through a T&T column!!

Helpful Hint! Tie a piece of light but strong wire or some twine to the connector to be used as a tracer wire to help during reassembly.

Adjustable columns - place the tilt head in the straight position. Caution! Without the steering wheel to counterbalance the tilt spring, the column head can quite violently snap up when you release it with the tilt lever.

Place the lower column back drive lever in the full DOWN position. Now, pull the switch straight out, guiding the wiring harness and connector out at the same time. Leave the tracer wire or twine in the column so that you can tie it to the new signal switch connector and help direct the wiring back down through the column.

Option #2 - Alternate Method of Feeding Switch Wires Through the Column
Some people have been successful using the following procedure. Disengage and remove the individual switch wires and metal contacts from the plastic “harmonica” connector. Make note of the color and position of each wire in the 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.

The turn signal switch wiring can now be fed separately through the column and reinstalled into the connector.

Jim

 

I've always found this to be the easiest method.. Un-pinning the switch wires and then using the old switch wires to pull them through has ruled supreme for me. From the old Packard terminal catalog...