How do you remove and replace the dimmer (or as it's called, the wiper switch) on a '95 C4. The high beams won't go off and my mechanic tells me it's broken. Now he tells me, he's having trouble removing it? What is the usual procedure to remove and replace this item? I have a brand new NOS GM one, ready to go in, but he's thinking you need a special tool.

PS: I used the Search Function, before I posted this I searched both C4 Tech and General Forums, for nearly ten pages and couldn't find an answer on either the Wiper or Dimmer switch for a late C4.

Thanks!

 

This is NOT a C4 column but it's typical enough that this guy should be able to determine what he needs to do MAYBE -

There's actually more possibilities but if he says and you have the part, have at it:

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...ck_Rebuild.pdf

There's many related posts and if you'd like to get the best search results go to the C4 "community" page and do all of your searches from the "SEARCH button" above "threads/posts" buttons. That keeps your results in the C4 community and does ALL C4 related sub-forums to gather ALL relevant posts.

dimmer adjuster (using no quotes) should get you several relevant threads.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-1984-1996-19/

This one has a good parts image and there's a couple links in it also.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...h-replace.html

dimmer adjuster from "COMMUNITY HOME" will do you well.

 

It isn't in the wiper switch. The wiper switch just pushes a rod that works the switch mounted further down on the column. The easiest approach is to drop the hush panel, and drop the column down so you can see it.

Switch may not be bad just out of adjustment. They are very sensitive to their location and the mounting tabs are slotted where the screws hold it down.

You can tell a good adjustment from a bad by how smoothly it snaps back and forth.

Good luck.

Mike

 

As already stated, the actual dimmer switch is down under the kick panel below the steering wheel. If you remove that panel, and look closely, you will find a steel rod going up the steering column. If you follow that rod down, you will see the switch. If the rod is off the plunger, that is more than likely your only problem. You can get it back on with a little effort. If the rod is on the plunger, your problem is on the other end. To check, push the rod down on the plunger until you hear it click. This should turn off the high beams. Now, on the other end of the rod there is a plastic piece called the switch rod actuator. When you pull the dimmer switch lever, it rotates the actuator which pushes down on the rod. It is fairly common for the actuator to disengage from either the switch lever or the switch rod. You will sometimes see this when you tilt the steering wheel up. In more extreme cases, the actuator will actually fall out. You can get it back in, but it isn't easy.
One leading cause for the steering related issue is people using the steering wheel as leverage to get in and out of the car. It wallers out an area down in the steering column. If you can move your steering wheel side to side, you are already there. This extra movement will disengage the actuator. Repairing this will require pulling the air bag and steering wheel.

Hope this helps.

 

Glad there was a clarification on the "multi-function lever" The lever itself does very little except actuates other parts inside the column. As I recall on a '90 Jeep (Saginaw) column, the multilever just pulls straight out. It has a dimple and a little bend on the end that "keeps" it in place. That Jeep column was not telescoping but did have the tilt function. Saginaw made columns for GM, Jeep and others and they are all very similar. Thats why WVZR1 mentioned the link column is "typical". I used exactly that rebuild .pdf that Dave linked to rebuild mine. It isnt very hard, just tedious.

 

When I did my ignition cylinder few years ago you gave me this link on the column which was great. However it does not work anymore and I could not recover any information again. Do you have any info on it?

http://domesticmisfits.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=124

 

The link Dave listed here works for me. When I found this .pdf it was at another site which did go away but this crankshaft coalition one is still active.