DIY: Turn Signal Switch

So the turn signal switch in my Caprice crapped out a while back. Because I work almost 60 hours a week, I brought it to a shop to get it done and they quoted me $170 for labor. Screw that.

I know most of you know how to do this. But I was taking pics along the way so I put everything back correctly and figured I'd post a how-to.

Symptoms;

- No brake lights
- No turn signals.

Tools required;

- T30 Torx
- Phillips head screw driver
- Flat head screw driver
- Snap ring pliers
- Steering wheel puller
- Steering wheel lock plate remover
- Basic socket wrench set
- 8mm wrench

Using an 8mm wrench disconnect the negative battery terminal.

Using a T30 torx unbolt the airbag from the steering wheel. Remove the safety clip and disconnect the clock spring.



Remove the nut securing the steering wheel.

Attach the steering wheel puller and remove the steering wheel.





Using the snap ring pliers, remove the snap ring securing the clock spring.



Carefully remove the clock spring and let it hang out of the column. This is done more easily with the column in a straight position and not up or down.



Remove the spring washer behind the clock spring.



Attach the steering wheel lock plate remover. Compress the lock plate until the retaining ring is visible and then remove it using a flat head screw driver.





Remove the lock plate and cancel cam.



Unscrew the hazard switch and the turn signal stalk. Then, unscrew the three mounting screws from the turn signal switch and slide out of the column. You will have to click the switch to reach all of the screws.

Now is the fun part. Climb under the dash and locate the connector. Disconnect it.



There is a white part in the bottom on the column. This needs to be removed to easily guide the old connector out and the new one into the column. I used a flat head to push the new connector through the column.



Reverse for installation.

Nice write up, love the red guts in that Caprice. One thing I found helpful when I swapped the clock spring in my RMW to add steering wheel controls, tie a piece of twine to the harness your pulling out. You can then tie it to the new one and pull it back down the column.

While that does work in some situations it's not so easy with a 6" connector.

Nice detail.

I have to dig around in there on my car, the left turn signal doesn't cancel itself. I think those little metal loops are springs that cancel? I bet the whole plastic thing is broken in there or something...

I never knew that the plastic pieces up top and the harness going down the column were one unit

Nice write up Tim .

Consider it stickied

very nice maybe now I can fix my left signal.

Wow... You made it look easy. Nice work.

GasTT wrote:

While that does work in some situations it's not so easy with a 6" connector.

Oh yeah, I could see that being a real pain.