B22 :: big day - turn signal stalk, etc

The combination switch (turn signal/wipers, etc) module AR and I bought off ebay came in today. I was excited to install them, as the lack of a "click" temporary stop on the turn signal was super ridiculously annoying. It kept falling into the "down" position while we were driving. 30 bucks off ebay.


The first step was to take off the cover on the steering wheel. This required removing screws that I could not see, and because I didn't have a mirror I took a picture of it with my cell phone. Turned out to be Phillips.


Since I didn't have a 1/2" socket extender, I was at a loss for how to remove the nut holding the wheel on. However, my luck turned out to be spectacular, as one of the sockets on the "X" lug wrench worked perfectly. Jeff, you'd be proud.


Then, I had to remove the steering wheel, which is pressed onto the splines. I was lucky to have bought a puller in my 260Z misadventures and I quickly mounted it up. The steering wheel diameter was a bit large, so I didn't know if it would pull it.


Luckily, after a torquing the puller down AND few good tugs, the wheel came off, launching me backwards into the door frame. Nice.


Then, DISASTER! The plugs on the replacement combo switch turned out not to be the same as the ones on the car. If you look carefully, that 6 lead female plug is supposed to plug into that 4 lead male. Whoops.

I did, however, manage to save it. Because the two switches were mechanically similar, I took them apart and was able to build a complete working one with the parts. Was a bitch, but it worked!


This is for AR. Her dad was using this trash to hold the turn signal stalk in the neutral position, and they didn't do that job very well.

While I was putting it all back on, I decided to figure out why the dash lights weren't working. I already checked all the fuses, and they were fine, so I thought it might be a bad switch. I whipped out the wiring diagram, and noticed that the leads from the switch go to "DASHBOARD DIMMER SWITCH." I promptly located it, and turned it back from pitch black. LOL.

Also zip tied the fan shroud down to reduce some rattling in the engine bay.

Whew! I'm tired now. G'nite.

EST: ~3 hours