Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online!
Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! 
-
Latest | 0 Rplys
Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Blazer > How-to | Technical Info
How-to | Technical Info A wealth of information at your disposal.
Reply Show Printable Version Show Printable Version | Email this Page Email this Page | Subscription Subscribe to this Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 06-10-2006, 01:07 PM   #1
drdd
AF Enthusiast
 
drdd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: bowling green, Kentucky
Posts: 600
Thanks: 2
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

Here’s a ‘how-to’ on cleaning your multi-function switch.

Failing multi-function switch symptoms include clicking sounds and flickering instrument-cluster lights—often turn-signals. In my case, the daytime running lamps were flickering and clicking. I initially thought it was a faulty relay. It seems that over time, the dielectric grease inside the switch, thins out and runs, creating false connections between the copper contacts within the switch.

This post will also be helpful for:
a) safely disconnecting your airbag
b) changing your ignition switch (common on ‘97’s)
c) hazard switch
d) removal of the steering column trim
e) removal of instrument cluster bezel
f) removal of sound insulator panels.


Cleaning the contacts is recommended before replacing the switch. Why? The switch is approx $200.


*NOTE: I didn’t take the pics while taking things apart, I took them as I was putting things back together—so, don’t let that confuse you.

*NOTE: this is a good time to take a toothbrush and brush the dust and crud out of all the trim pieces



Here are the tools you’ll need:

ratchet and extension, 7mm and 4mm socket, T25 and T10 torx, T25 torx bit (this is a MUST unless you want to pull your whole steering wheel and airbag), Q-Tip (15mm), piece of wood (yes! a piece of wood--I used an old hammer handle that had been cut off), hammer, 10mm wrench, ¼ inch wrench, Phillips screwdriver



the T25 torx bit is a MUST because it’s length is short and you’ll need it to fit in a very tight space. A ¼ inch wrench fit my bit perfectly to turn it.





STEP 1:

a) roll down driver’s side window.
b) disconnect negative battery cable from battery.
c) remove the airbag fuse from the fusebox.


fuse box





STEP 2:

Using the 7mm and the T25 torx, begin to remove:

a) both the left and center, black sound-insulator panels
b) the interior-colored knee-bolster under the steering column
c) your interior-colored consumed tobacco-product deposit canister (ashtray)

NOTE: Remember which screws go where. Remember how the trim pieces fit together and overlap.

NOTE: Underneath by the E-brake pedal, you may need to remove screws and pay-attention to your OBD-II socket AND your remote door-lock if applicable (you’ll figure it out when you see it)

NOTE: I never needed to remove the E-brake release handle. I just let it hang there.


left black sound-insulator panel



interior colored knee-bolster



center black plastic sound-insulator panel



once you remove the screws, just let the knee-bolster hang there. There is no need to completely remove it. (This pic shows the knee-bolster hanging. The pic was taken further along in the removal process).





STEP 3:

Remove the instrument-cluster bezel with Phillips screwdriver. There are two screws. Disconnect 4WD switch if applicable. Gently tug at it and the bezel will simply pop out. Use your tilt-steering if necessary to pull the bezel out.



note the ‘friction clips’



4WD switch



There’s no need to disconnect any switch on the left-side dash (headlights, defrost, rear-wiper, dimmer, etc. Simply pull the bezel off the steering column and move it out of the way. I used my door to support it while keeping it out of the way.



another angle





STEP 4:

Disconnect the airbag. There’s an orange safety and then, the bright-yellow clip. It’s tricky to get to, but, with persistence, it will disconnect.

Here’s the bright-yellow airbag connection



Here it is with the orange safety removed



now pull the connector … (pic shows connector removed)





STEP 5:

Remove two screws from the lower steering column plastic cover. The middle hole doesn’t do anything. Use your tilt-steering to give you easier access. (The pic shows knee-bolster still connected. It will be hanging down when you get to this step.)






STEP 6:

Remove:

a) tilt-steering handle (it just pulls rights off!)
b) key-tumbler trim (with screwdriver)
c) rubber trim under key-tumbler

just pull it !



GENTLY pry the key-tumbler trim with a screwdriver. Next, the rubber trim under the tumbler will slide upwards.



another pic after the steering column trim is removed to show the tumbler trim





STEP 7:

Remove the lower steering-column trim piece. Note how it connects to the top piece on the backside.

Here’s how the top and bottom fit together on the backside. It’s like a little hinge.



Here’s the bottom piece by itself.





STEP 8:

Remove top steering-column plastic piece. There are two screws that hold the top piece in place and come up through the bottom-side. They are a “male torx” and need a torx socket. I didn’t have this type of socket but a 4mm socket worked perfect.

The one on the left is easy.



The one on the right is extremely hard to see, but not too difficult to reach with an extension. You can see it by looking through the plastic around the tumbler. Watch that you don’t drop it inside the steering wheel like I did! Had to retrieve it with a magnet.





STEP 9:

Remove the two T25 torx screws that attach the multi-function switch to the steering-column.

The top one is easy.



Here’s how I got to the bottom one. Use the ¼ wrench on the T25 torx bit.





STEP 10:

Your multi-function switch will now come off the steering-column. There is no need to disconnect the electrical connections to the harness.

Now, remove the four T10 torx bits on the cover. BE CAREFUL HERE. THERE ARE VERY SMALL SPRINGS INSIDE THE SWITCH. OPEN THE COVER SLOWLY. NOTE HOW IT COMES APART.



Here’s the cover removed. Note the button with the spring coming out. Note how the ‘Y’ plastic fits in and moves within the slot.





STEP 11:

With the cover off you’ll be able to clean the copper contacts underneath the white plastic piece. THE WHITE PLASTIC PIECE DOES NOT COME OUT. Simply reach behind it with a Q-Tip and clean the grease. Mine need about 10 Q-Tips! I didn’t re-grease because it wasn’t possible to apply the grease exactly where it should be. Rather, I cleaned with the Q-Tip but tried not to completely remove the grease.





STEP 12:

Re-install multi-function switch cover.

You’ll need to work the handle and the switch and make sure it’s working the way it should. When it is apart, the gears at the base of the handle get misaligned. The wipers and mist functions should all move and click appropriately. You’ll understand this when you see it. It takes some patience to make it all fit together while re-installing the T10 torx screws.

DOUBLE-CHECK THAT IT IS MOVING PROPERLY AFTER YOU RE-INSTALL THE COVER.




STEP 13:

Your switch is now clean. Installation is the reverse of removal.

You may want to re-connect your negative battery wire and test. I’d still recommend staying clear of the air bag. If all works well, disconnect that battery to finish re-installing all the trim just to be sure.

Here’s how I used a piece of wood and hammer to persuade the key-tumbler trim to go back on. Just a couple of light taps was all that was needed. It was kind of like pressing a seal.





FINAL STEP:

After all that time under the dash, you’ll need to install many capsules of ibuprofen into your back and neck.
drdd is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to drdd For This Useful Post:
ajt_93033 (07-17-2011)
Old 06-10-2006, 01:27 PM   #2
blazee
Problem?
 
blazee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,247
Thanks: 63
Thanked 113 Times in 93 Posts
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

Added to the FAQ.
blazee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2006, 01:27 PM   #3
GirlBear
AF Enthusiast
 
GirlBear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Albany, New York
Posts: 2,040
Thanks: 1
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

very excellent tutorial. i hear "lots of pics" and im there! lol again good job!!!
__________________

http://jowulf.deviantart.com/
GirlBear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2006, 02:13 PM   #4
DINO55
AF Enthusiast
 
DINO55's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Burbank, Illinois
Posts: 571
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Wink Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

Great Job on this post drdd...

Also this would be an Excellent time to change out that nasty old 1997 Blazer IGNITION SWITCH that will cause a million electrical problems for $100.....

__________________
1998 BLAZER LS Vin-W 4Dr 2wd
2004 Cavalier LS 4Dr 2.2 Ecotec

"Good Part's ain't Cheap--Cheap Parts ain't Good"


DINO55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2006, 03:39 PM   #5
drdd
AF Enthusiast
Thread starter
 
drdd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: bowling green, Kentucky
Posts: 600
Thanks: 2
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DINO55
Great Job on this post drdd...

Also this would be an Excellent time to change out that nasty old 1997 Blazer IGNITION SWITCH that will cause a million electrical problems for $100.....




Yes it would. I did mine about 2 years ago.
drdd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2006, 10:30 AM   #6
Eslhockey92g
AF Regular
 
Eslhockey92g's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: telford, Pennsylvania
Posts: 363
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

Will changing/cleaing the multi switch stop a delayad turn signal. On my 97 blazer everything works i have no problems, but when my signal its delayed. I will hit the turn signal and it will take about 1-2 sec for the lights to blink. by that time i already changed lanes. Also my curise button some times doesnt work. Ill have to hit it about 5-10 for the curise to come on. Any one think its all related to a dirty multi switch?
Eslhockey92g is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2006, 10:45 PM   #7
drdd
AF Enthusiast
Thread starter
 
drdd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: bowling green, Kentucky
Posts: 600
Thanks: 2
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

possibly ... have you replaced your ignition switch yet ?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Eslhockey92g
Will changing/cleaing the multi switch stop a delayad turn signal. On my 97 blazer everything works i have no problems, but when my signal its delayed. I will hit the turn signal and it will take about 1-2 sec for the lights to blink. by that time i already changed lanes. Also my curise button some times doesnt work. Ill have to hit it about 5-10 for the curise to come on. Any one think its all related to a dirty multi switch?
drdd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2006, 05:34 AM   #8
Eslhockey92g
AF Regular
 
Eslhockey92g's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: telford, Pennsylvania
Posts: 363
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

no i havent, but like u and dino said if i go as far as cleaning the multi switch, the ignition switch it right there, so i would hit to birds with one stone
Eslhockey92g is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2006, 02:45 PM   #9
BlazerLT
AF -Advisor
 
BlazerLT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Sudbury
Posts: 13,565
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

NICE! Lots of work there, we all appreciate it.
__________________
1995 Factory Blazer Service Manual for sale, PM if interested.
BlazerLT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-12-2006, 03:58 PM   #10
BlazerBoyLT98
AF Enthusiast
 
BlazerBoyLT98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Peabody, Massachusetts
Posts: 950
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Send a message via AIM to BlazerBoyLT98 Send a message via Yahoo to BlazerBoyLT98
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

Awesome post!
__________________
2002 Pontiac Gram Am
K&N Air Filter
Mobil1 5W-30 Extended 15K
2 JL Audio 12" Subs Sealed JL Audio Box
Coustic 400 Watt Class D Mono Amp
Pioneer Head Unit 50X4 MP3, WMA, AAC Super Tuner
Polk DB750 6.5" all around
Yankees Suck!!!!!!!!
BlazerBoyLT98 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2006, 08:02 AM   #11
joncaribe
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Christiansted, Virgin Islands
Posts: 3
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

Hey that was a great post. I loved the pics. I didn't service my switch I was putting in a new one because I was told by an "expert" that it would solve my " no headlight" problem. Well, it didn't, but I got the new switch in there and am now going to sell the old one, (which is obviously fully functional), on ebay. I have a couple of additional pics that I took. If you want to add them, let me know. The switch on the dash, (which I got at the junkyard), fixed my problem.
joncaribe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2007, 01:12 PM   #12
tinter
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: vancouver
Posts: 9
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

I did this yesterday to my 96 blazer. My hazard melted so after proving to the dealer that i DIDNT have to buy the whole multi switch I bought the same part number as the 00 and 01 recall for hazard and it works great. I took apart the multi switch just to make sure there wasnt a problem. Cleaned it just because i was there... easy to do really ... great post ..thanks.
tinter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2008, 12:15 PM   #13
pokergypsy
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: chicago, Illinois
Posts: 34
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

hi i wanted to know i have a 1998 and when i press the door locks the dash and raido will go off and on? now what happend no raido no gas gadge no spedo ,tack,inside lights,temp?
pokergypsy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2008, 01:20 PM   #14
tinter
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: vancouver
Posts: 9
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

sounds like you blew a fuse or two...check all fuses and relays.. are your door locks after market or factory?? if after market check the install and trace the wiring ..if factory locks you prob have a short some where do the same thing trace the wiring from the switch and make sure you dont have a pinched wire anywhere... your door locks should have nothing to do with your gages....but i would start there... im no expert..but electrical is always a process of elimination..
tinter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2008, 02:13 PM   #15
pokergypsy
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: chicago, Illinois
Posts: 34
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: cleaning your multi-function switch (LOTSA pics)

ITS factory windows all fuses good how do you know if you have a bad relay? the relay that it has on it says nothing about the problem im haveing? now the funny part is that the oil psi working?
pokergypsy is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD

Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Chevrolet > Blazer > How-to | Technical Info

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:48 AM.

Community Participation Guidelines | How to use your User Control Panel

Powered by: vBulletin | Copyright Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
 
 
no new posts