Directional switch
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
A turn signal switch is no big deal IMHO. Pull the wheel and it's right there. A T & T column is a little bigger deal, but not impossible, Jim Shea has papers posted that will help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
Do you have a standard (non-adjustable) or a T&T column? They are similar but just a bit different from one to the other.
The hardest part is feeding the turn signal switch wires up and out of the column and then feeding the wires from the new switch back down. The plastic harmonica connector that is part of the turn signal switch wires tends to **** and jam inside the column head. The shop manual says to tape the connector to the wires so that it doesn't ****. Well I haven't found an easy way to get the connector through the column head (tape or not!) I have always felt that it was easier to feed the wires if the steering column was completely out of the car. But I know that a lot of people really shy away from pulling the steering column.
There is another method that eliminates the need to pull the steering column. That is to remove each individual wire with its metal contact from the harmonica connector. Then feed just the wires up and out and then the bare wires from the new switch back down through the column. Then reconnect the wires (IN THE CORRECT ORDER) into the connector. This means that you have to be comfortable laying on your back with your head stuck under the steering column while you unhook each of the electrical contacts from the harmonica.
One other tip, for some reason the harmonica connector was changed slightly through the years. Sometimes you get a turn signal switch with a harmonica connector that just won't snap into the female connector on your vehicle wiring harness. If you run into this problem, you will need to remove the harmonica connector from your original turn signal switch and swap it with the one on your new switch. So you might be making this swap anyway.
Note I have Disassembly and Repair instructions for both the T&T column as well as the standard (non-adjustable) column. The two columns are similar but there are just enough differences that it helps to have two separate papers. Removing the steering column (regardless of which type) is identical.
I have complete instructions on removing the steering wheel and the locking plate in my Disassembly & Repair Paper #1. Paper #2 covers removing the column from the car and removing the turn signal switch.
Go to: www.corvettefaq.com
Click on Jim Shea Steering Articles
Click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to the appropriate Std Column or to the Tilt & Telescoping Column Section
Download the Disassembly and Repair Paper #1 and #2.
Download the Disassembly and Repair Pic #1
Don't forget, additional help is only a computer click away,
Jim
The hardest part is feeding the turn signal switch wires up and out of the column and then feeding the wires from the new switch back down. The plastic harmonica connector that is part of the turn signal switch wires tends to **** and jam inside the column head. The shop manual says to tape the connector to the wires so that it doesn't ****. Well I haven't found an easy way to get the connector through the column head (tape or not!) I have always felt that it was easier to feed the wires if the steering column was completely out of the car. But I know that a lot of people really shy away from pulling the steering column.
There is another method that eliminates the need to pull the steering column. That is to remove each individual wire with its metal contact from the harmonica connector. Then feed just the wires up and out and then the bare wires from the new switch back down through the column. Then reconnect the wires (IN THE CORRECT ORDER) into the connector. This means that you have to be comfortable laying on your back with your head stuck under the steering column while you unhook each of the electrical contacts from the harmonica.
One other tip, for some reason the harmonica connector was changed slightly through the years. Sometimes you get a turn signal switch with a harmonica connector that just won't snap into the female connector on your vehicle wiring harness. If you run into this problem, you will need to remove the harmonica connector from your original turn signal switch and swap it with the one on your new switch. So you might be making this swap anyway.
Note I have Disassembly and Repair instructions for both the T&T column as well as the standard (non-adjustable) column. The two columns are similar but there are just enough differences that it helps to have two separate papers. Removing the steering column (regardless of which type) is identical.
I have complete instructions on removing the steering wheel and the locking plate in my Disassembly & Repair Paper #1. Paper #2 covers removing the column from the car and removing the turn signal switch.
Go to: www.corvettefaq.com
Click on Jim Shea Steering Articles
Click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to the appropriate Std Column or to the Tilt & Telescoping Column Section
Download the Disassembly and Repair Paper #1 and #2.
Download the Disassembly and Repair Pic #1
Don't forget, additional help is only a computer click away,
Jim
