Replacing a turn signal switch
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Denton TX
Replacing a turn signal switch
I just opened my column on a '76 T/T to replace the turn signal switch.
The column is still in the car, and only disassembled down the the turn signal switch.
My question is....Has anyone sucessfully fished the old switch out of the column with the harmonica attached? I was going to tie a line to the bottom and tape the wires and harmonica into the tightest bundle I can make to fish it out, and then use the line to bundle the new harmonica and fish it back down the column. Is this a viable plan or a nightmare waiting to happen?
I used the Jim Shea papers to get this far, and saw on some previous posts that he, and others, recommend releasing each wire from the harmonica before fishing them through the column. This was also a solution offered when the harmonicas were not an exact match due to a manufacturing change or oversight. The old harmonica and the one I just ordered appear to be an exact match so I was hoping to just swap them out, but I don't want to jam something in the middle of the column. It looks pretty tight through there with the old switch still in it. Thanks in advance.
Jeff
PS: One of the screws that held the old switch in was stripped. In fact I had to use an extractor to get it out. I saw on another post that it is a metric screw with the GM part number.
Where can I find one of these? No luck so far at the usual vendors, GM or web search. There are three total and I am considering leaving one screw out. The other choice is a Bubba solution. I bought 4 similiar screws from the hardware store but none is the exact match for size or thread pattern. Thought I would gently ease each one at a time into it and try not to bugger the threads.
The column is still in the car, and only disassembled down the the turn signal switch.
My question is....Has anyone sucessfully fished the old switch out of the column with the harmonica attached? I was going to tie a line to the bottom and tape the wires and harmonica into the tightest bundle I can make to fish it out, and then use the line to bundle the new harmonica and fish it back down the column. Is this a viable plan or a nightmare waiting to happen?
I used the Jim Shea papers to get this far, and saw on some previous posts that he, and others, recommend releasing each wire from the harmonica before fishing them through the column. This was also a solution offered when the harmonicas were not an exact match due to a manufacturing change or oversight. The old harmonica and the one I just ordered appear to be an exact match so I was hoping to just swap them out, but I don't want to jam something in the middle of the column. It looks pretty tight through there with the old switch still in it. Thanks in advance.
Jeff
PS: One of the screws that held the old switch in was stripped. In fact I had to use an extractor to get it out. I saw on another post that it is a metric screw with the GM part number.
Where can I find one of these? No luck so far at the usual vendors, GM or web search. There are three total and I am considering leaving one screw out. The other choice is a Bubba solution. I bought 4 similiar screws from the hardware store but none is the exact match for size or thread pattern. Thought I would gently ease each one at a time into it and try not to bugger the threads.
Le Mans Master
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I'd pull the wires out of the harmonica- it is easy to hang up pulling it thru the column it gets tight in there.
Loctite makes a thread repair- you put a release agent on the bolt/screw, put the goo on it and stick it into the hole that's stripped. Let it set and presto- new threads.
Loctite makes a thread repair- you put a release agent on the bolt/screw, put the goo on it and stick it into the hole that's stripped. Let it set and presto- new threads.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
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you can pull the whole thing out at once,just bend the harmonica clip into a position( (slighty more then the the position of the column) it will straighten up some as you pull it.that will let it slide thru,then with a small bright flashlight you can watch the progress of it.
if it gets hung up( most of the times it will.( DONT WORRY ) just run a small diameter wire / metal rod down from the top to push / nudge the corner of the connector, it will slide out fairly easy.
going in the same thing, it has been easy for the colums I have been working on.
Tools needed = #1 Good flashlight, #2 small rod about 1/8 diameter,some thing like a wire coat hanger will also work.
As far as your screw you seem to be on the right track,just don't force it to much,just snug the one and the other 2 screws will do most of the work
I have bought from the vendor with good results,he has been very helpful
http://stolenandrecovered.com/parts2/gm2.php
if it gets hung up( most of the times it will.( DONT WORRY ) just run a small diameter wire / metal rod down from the top to push / nudge the corner of the connector, it will slide out fairly easy.
going in the same thing, it has been easy for the colums I have been working on.
Tools needed = #1 Good flashlight, #2 small rod about 1/8 diameter,some thing like a wire coat hanger will also work.
As far as your screw you seem to be on the right track,just don't force it to much,just snug the one and the other 2 screws will do most of the work
I have bought from the vendor with good results,he has been very helpful
http://stolenandrecovered.com/parts2/gm2.php
Last edited by 1971corvette; Oct 19, 2010 at 01:32 AM. Reason: added link
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Denton TX
2 votes for pull it through...I'm on it, with a wire hanger on standby. I'll report back in a bit (hopefully with success).
And the one bad screw that held the switch in place....the threads look clean its just the phillips head that rounded out. I bet the last time someone got in there they messed up the head and then ran it back in with loctight. Would the loctight thread repair work on the phillips head if I put release agent on a screwdriver tip then filled the stripped screw head and then pressed them together.
And the one bad screw that held the switch in place....the threads look clean its just the phillips head that rounded out. I bet the last time someone got in there they messed up the head and then ran it back in with loctight. Would the loctight thread repair work on the phillips head if I put release agent on a screwdriver tip then filled the stripped screw head and then pressed them together.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Denton TX
Well the column was just too damn tight. I bundled the harmonica half a dozen times with no luck. It even took a couple trys with just the wires bundled together to pull through. But it is all hooked up and working like a champ, although the hazard light button was a little stubborn to mate up with the back of the switch. One of my replacement screws for the switch fit pretty nice. Back in business and the weather is nice for a cruise. Thanks to all for the help.
Jeff
Jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,040
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by bundle you mean tape the wires together ?
The column is not tight,I think your problem was your bundle was to thick,if you keep the wires flat it goes throught fairly easy.You don't have to bundle anything.
Glad you got it fixed.
