I have to replace the turn indicator switch in the steering column, is there any pics or tips on doing it. The old unit is shorting out and the left run signal lights come on a little, if I hold up on the lever a little they go out as normal. I found the part but not sure how to do it.

 

You didn't mention what year Corvette and if you have a standard (non-adjustable) steering column or a tilt & telescoping type.

I usually recommend that you remove the entire steering column from the car in order to facilitate fishing the turn signal wires up through the steering column head. However, I am sure that many people change the switch without pulling the steering column.

Go to:
www.corvettefaq.com
click on Jim Shea's Steering Papers
click on Corvette Steering Papers
Scroll down to the Standard Steering or the Tilt & Telescoping Section
Download Disassembly & Repair Papers and Pics #1 and #2.

Jim

 

Its pretty straight forward , follow a procedure like Jims papers. Not sure what Jim recommends but I remove the harmonica connector and with thin packing tape make the wires smaller and less bulky to ease the sliding down through the column. They slide through like butter.

 

Removing the harmonica connector is one good way of getting the wires up and through the column head. Also, some of the more recent turn signal switchs have harmonica connectors that won't snap into the original vehicle harness (even though they look the same.) The solution is to just swap the connector from your original switch onto the new switch. So you might try snapping the new connector onto your vehicle harness (just to check the fit) before tearing things down.
Jim

 

How do I remove the pins from the connector?
Nevermind, did it.

Rog.

 

Some people have been successful using the following procedure; disengage and remove the individual switch wires and metal contacts from the plastic “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.

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

YEARS WIRE COLOR AND GAGE CONNECTOR POSITION
1969-82 White 18 gage P
1969-82 Dark Green 18 gage N
1969-82 Yellow 18 gage M
1969-82 Purple 18 gage L
1969-82 Brown 18 gage K
1969-82 Dark Blue 18 gage J
1969-82 Light Blue 18 gage H
1969-82 Black 18 gage G
1969-82 Light Green 20 gage F
1969-82 Tan 20 gage D
1980, 81, & 82 Black 18 gage C
1980, 81, & 82 Orange 18 gage B
1980, 81, & 82 Brown 18 gage A

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.

On 1969 thru 1976 columns, 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.
Jim

 

Thank you

 

I have some good pictures here in my thread when I went through this process.

 

Very helpful thread! Thanks!

 

Hello I am new to the forum. I am slowly fixing all the things that don't work any more on my 68'. I replaced the turn signal switch assy with success. However, it's the locking ring for the telescope column that I am having trouble with When I remove the center bolt with the dimples or cutouts around the circumference, I can move the steering wheel in and out. As soon as I put this bolt in and secure it with the two flat head screws the lock/unlock ring will rotate but the wheel will no longer move in or out.

What am I overlooking.

 

Holy smokes. Now I know what my problem is. My 76 has the same switch as your 71. Your entire column is exactly like mine except the wheel. I need to get a new switch after fishing it all the way through the column like a pro. Uggggh!

 

Just to add to this thread, we did a small write up on the turn signal switch replacement a while back. It's got some awesome pictures too.

Corvette Turn Signal Switch Installation Help, Upper Steering Column Pictures 1969-1982



Willcox