Well, It's happened again! That's right, this is the SECOND time! Even with a completely different steering column.

Yesterday evening I was pulling out of the parking spot from work, I got a quarter turn to the right and felt/heard a loud click or pop coming from the column. I could feep the pop in the steering wheel and in the brake pedal. Weird but whatever, it's go home time! The entire drive home, every turn (specifically to the right ONLY) pop, radio fuzz and cut out then back in. As I to my last right turn into the drive way the engine starts to stall, ABS light flashes, Check engine light flashing, dash lights flash and do the initial gauge test, radio flashes and A/C on and off then puff of smoke from the column. I immediately turned the wheel to the left and everything went back to normal. I pulled into the garage very slowly and as far left as I could. I shut the car off and disconnected the battery.

I let the car sit for 10 minutes then went back out to diagnose. Bottom of the steering shaft looked completely normal. Top looked completely normal. I removed the horn button or a better look ad I immediately noticed the smell of electrical burn. So my next step is finding where it's coming from. Either it worked it's way up the shaft from the ignition switch or the turn signal switch is the culprit. So I reconnected the battery (dumb I know), turned the key and let it sit for a few seconds. Nothing. I slowly turned the wheel to the right to where I usually felt the click. Then it happened all over again; engine started to stutter, dash lights flashed, smoke, panic, pants ruined. I turned the wheel back to center and shut it down and disconnected the battery.

This is the SECOND time I've had this type of fire caused by the turn signal switch. Only this time it didn't happen while I was driving at a steady 45mph. The first time only had a small warning, ABS started to flash and puff, blue flame by my important human parts. I didn't have ANY tools with me. I was panicking running door to door at 10 o'clock at night asking for an 8mm wrench while my steering column burns to the ground.

So let it be known, if you're having interesting electrical issues, take it slow and diagnose ASAP. I thought I was just having bad ground issues because a week prior, when I depressed the brake pedal the car would misfire. When I turned on the radio it would misfire. When I used the turn signal switch, the car would misfire. All while having the SES light flashing in my face like it doesn't know that I know what's going on

Luckily my local parts store had the proper turn signal switch w/ cornering lights for around 20 bucks. I do not have the time to get to it yet due to work hours but hopefully soon. I have yet to replace one of these turn signal switches, I do have the service manual and electrical diagram manual. I can read both with ease but they seem very vague. I read the tilt steering wheels are a pain to change the turn signal switches in because you need a specific tool that no one sells? Any tips?

 

WOW!! sorry to hear that. what a disaster. thankfully you caught it. then pulled power. The telescopic steering wheel is the one that is harder to deal with. removing the switch is a fairly tedious process. you have a FSM for a reference. you will need a few rental tools & patience. you will need a compact 2 slot steering wheel puller. Next a GM lock retainer plate tool. to compress the spring loaded lock plate. giving you access to pry out the c lock retainer. review your FSM. carefully follow and remove the turn / cancel switch. you will need to drop the 2 bolts holding up the column allowing access pulling the turn / cancel switch harness.

 

Where can I get this GM tool to retain the spring? The FSM refers to it as a locking plate depressor?

I work at advance auto and we do not carry the tool but I did find it online, just have to wait a week for it to show. Any ideas on where else I could get one? Harbor freight or Lowes don't seem to have it

 

I'm quite sure all of the AP chains offer a similar device in their "loaner" program.

I'd say you've got some diagnostics to do and if you've actually been there once before maybe you either assumed an incorrect diagnostic and didn't fix the first time OR created the issue that's left you claiming "the same" again.

What year is this car?

Try to be more specific with what you observed. Your post isn't the "easiest read".

Most of this is very difficult to comprehend except that this time you do need to take it slow and maybe more deliberately

 

Apologies for not being so specific.

As for being inside the steering column before, I haven't. The first time actually caught fire and melted the steering components so I replaced the entire column. I purchased one through advance salvage and swapped over the steering wheel.

 

Do you still have the first column?

You still haven't mentioned the year.

A directional/turn switch can't create the issues "directly" that you've mentioned. I doubt the actual problem was corrected by the column replacement, granted you needed it but that might likely have been the "results of" and wasn't the "cause"!!

Try breaking out specifically the issues you experienced this time.

 

It's an 87.

I do not have the old column but I did rip it apart. All the wires were burned but from where the turn signal switch sits. So basically from the turn signal switch and down three to five inches were burned. Two wires that sat next to one another looked rubbed and torn apart. When I ripped the melted beauty cover off i saw that the steering rod was broken and the steering wheel was spinning freely.

 

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/k...FdBahgodtksEpA

 

They are discontinued at my location. I already cross referenced a part number to see if Lisle made one. I'll see if I can ship one from the warehouse to my store.

 

I'm thinking you meant the 2 piece sphere that allows the "tilt" was melted and makes sense. For your '87 column you'll need a 5/16 - 18 set screw to lock the telescoping aspect of the column. Others mention using threaded rod and/or cutting bolts but I believe just buying the "right stuff" before hand makes it much easier.

I believe I'd remove the column and since you've already done it once it shouldn't be very aggravating and check very closely the ignition switch harness and the wiring in the vicinity. The ignition switch is an inexpensive component so I'd maybe buy.

You'll likely need other parts in the upper column. There's a retainer that most often is busted already or in the removal of the upper parts. This GM part # 7808385 retainer is likely needed - GOOGLE or use it as a reference on eBay, CC or any other reseller.