Replacing the Directional Signal Switch

[SarahT]

Hi Everyone,

The issue: The right blinker isn't working, neither is the right brake light.

Tried: Replacing fuses and light bulbs. No luck, doh!

Action: Took the car to a local repair shop, he said it is the "blinker switch" and it would run about $300 to fix.

Big Idea: Ask Mr. Fix-it if it could be done at home if I get the part. He said sure!

Purchased: The correct switch part and a steering wheel puller.

Got Stuck: Removed the wheel, the cap, and have exposed some sort metal, ninja star looking deal and can't figure out how to get it off and get to the switch to replace it!!!!

The Car: 1980 Pontiac Firebird V8

If anyone can talk me through how to do this, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks so much in advance!

~Sarah T.

[ikeyballz]

pictures? lol, ninja looking star doesnt describe too well

[hotrod_chevyz]

that requires a seperate tool. Any auto parts store has a rentable or purchasable tool that will push back on the*ninja star* so you can get the retainer off. Tell them the same thing you told us, and they should point you in the right direction. Ask them to explain it to you, and if they dont know how the tool works exactly, ask for somone else. The *ninja star* your talking about, is under pressure of a spring and cant and shouldnt be removed without the proper tool. Its held in place with a circular retainer that clips into a slot on the steering column shaft just in front of your ninja star. I use precision screwdrivers to remove the clip (a buck at the dollar store). The clip cant be taken off without the tool. They can be tricky but if you take your time and mind the order of the parts you take off, you can do it. Make certain the switch is in the accessory position, and the battery is disconnected. A manual would definatly help guide you in the correct precedure of doing the job. If you have any more questions about it, feel free to post it here on this thread, and myself or some other of the many people on this forum would be glad to help aid you in getting the repair sucessfully accomplished. Oh and welcome to the forum glad to have you.

[SarahT]

This was really helpful, hotrod_chevyz!! Thanks to your advice, (and for humoring me about the ninja star) I was able to get the tool you said about. If I still have trouble, I'll be back! Have a great weekend everyone!

[hotrod_chevyz]

Your welcome and good luck. Feeding the wires in and out of the column can be a difficult task so take your time. Be sure to look close as you put the ninja star back on, cause it has special slotting on it and will only go on one way.

[SarahT]

Here's another call for help...

Everything went well, but getting the steering wheel back together didn't go so smoothly.

The part that I used the steering wheel puller to take off, won't go back on right. Tried to hammer it back on, but no luck.

Also, since it won't go on all the way, the horn won't engage. However, and this was a riot, on a test drive down the road, it did come on, and it wouldn't shut off, it was SO funny!! Had to pull over and take the fuse out.

Any ideas this time around?

~Sarah T.

[hotrod_chevyz]

Did you get the clip back on it? Check all the bulbs and the sockets. You might just go ahead and take it to a pro if possible. The piece you said wouldnt go on right has a certain way to go on, and you have to use the tool to push it back far enough so you can get the clip back on it. If the switch is installed correctly you should be able to find a shop that will finish putting it back together for under 50 bucks, unless the hammer damaged somthing. Good luck. Take it to a pro or look in a book and make sure its put back together right.