How to remove Multi-function switch in steering column?

Hello,

I have a 2001 Safari SLE, the other day I had to use the hazard lights (funeral procession). When the procession stopped the person behind me told me my top brake light was working but the brake lights on each side of the dutch doors were not working. I thought it must be a blown fuse. Later when I got home I looked at the fuse it was fine. I removed the rear lights and checked the bulbs, they were fine. I switched on the hazard lights, they all worked. I called a friend of mine, he suggested that it could be the brake switch. I removed the switch and jumpered the connection, same result the top brake light worked the side brake lights did not. When switching the hazard lights on and off I noticed that the switch was kind of flakey, if I did not put pressure on the switch is a certain way it was shorting out and I could hear the relay tripping back and forth. I decided to remove the top and bottom cover of the steering column. I found that there is a multi-function switch that controls that hazard lights, turn signal, cruise control, delay wipers. I wanted to remove this switch to see if I could determine why it was shorting but I could not figure out how to remove it. I finally gave up because I did not want to break anything. I made an appointment with the local dealer and took the van in. They did their diagnosis, and determined that the multi-function switch was shorting and that it needed to be replaced. Now here is the fun part. The van is 2 months out of warranty the switch is $375.00 and the labour to replace it is another $225. Plus we have 15% tax here so I am looking at a bill of $690.00 Canadian. By the way they charged me $82 to diagnose the problem. Obviously I am very disappointed that maybe the 3rd time I have used the hazard lights this happens. Poor quality in my opinion.

Sooo... does anyone out there know what I have to do to be able to remove this switch?

Sorry for the long message any help would be greatly appreciated.

Yea go to a salvage yard get yourself a complete colum for it and put it in. Where I am they go for around a 100.00 bucks. It is cheaper than the switch and the hassel of tearing the column apart to fix it. I did this on mine because the the switch broke to use the window washer.

hope this helps ya out.

you know whats funny? gm pays .6h if the switch is replaced under waranty but most shops charge around 2.0h cause those things are such a pain to replace. if you decide to replace it yourself you need to remove the column shroud, there are a couple bolts holding the switch in i believe they are torx t-15 if you get the short drill style you can remove the bolt under the steering wheel by turning the torx bit with a 1/4" wrench, the others are easy to get at. the lower harness is held together with either a 8mm of 10mm bolt i cant remember there are also 2 wires above the brake pedal somewhere. give yourself lots of time for this job and have a few band aids handy theres lots of sharp stuff down there. good luck!!

I had this exact same problem at 68000 miles. The hazard switch part of the multifunction switch was partially melted internally due to heating from high contact resistance. The part is expensive ($265 plus tax) but not too hard to replace. These were my steps:
1. disconnect batt negative, ABS fuse and ABS connector (bright yellow) to left of steering column under driver side knee bolster.
2. remove driver side knee bolster (1 hex head screw on left, two underneath). disconnect park brake release
3. lower steering column by removing two large nuts below dash
4. remove the lower cover just behind the steering wheel - two torx (about T-20) screws underneath. release the upper cover by removing screw underneath that runs into a vertical plastic post
5. multifunction switch held in by two screws (about T-25), one on top right other bottom left front. Don't bother the small screws (T-10) in front. you will need a small right angle torx tool, especially for the screw in front (just behind the steering wheel)
6. cut two cable ties, disconnect two pigtail connections. The one on the right of the steering column (on transmission shift lever) requires pulling a green lock piece from the back then press release on right side while pulling to the rear. Disconnect large electrical connector by unscrewing the hex screw in center. This will allow the multifunction switch to be removed.

It's a breeze...I'm a woman and I removed and installed a steering column in my 88 Chevy Astro Van in 45 minutes and costed me 125 bux.