Lumina turn signals switch inop?? Here's the fix

[7T9Shark]

I see alot of threads relating to turn signals that fail on Luminas, with no real help on how to replace the switch. I just replaced mine last night, so here's the gritty details on how to do it.

Once you determine that the switch is bad, order a new one from rockauto.com. Mine was $40-something without cruise. Checkers wanted $96.

1. Remove fuse #21 from the fuse box located on the right hand side of the instrument panel. Open the pass. door to see it.

2. Disconnect the battery for good measure.

3. Remove the lower trim panel under the steering column.

4. Remove the steering column bracket under the steering column to gain access to the big yellow air bag wire and connector.

5. Remove the connector from the dash support, and disconnect it by removing the green safety clip first.

6. Next, obtain a Torx bit and from the rear of the steering wheel, remove the air bag. Disconnect the air bag connector, removing the green clip first.

7. Then push the horn wire connector down towards the steering wheel and rotate it to get it to disconnect. You may have to wiggle and rotate at the same time.

8. Now obtain a wheel puller and pull the steering wheel.

9. Then get a shap ring tool (available at hardware stores) and remove the snap ring that holds the coil onto the shaft. Remove the coil and wave washer and let it hang.

10. The next part is the worst - You have to compress the locking disk against the spring to be able to remove the "C" clip that holds it in place.
I made a tool to do this out of a big washer, with tow holes drilled 180 apart, then inserted two 1/4" bolts with nuts into the holes so that I could adjust the height in order to place it over the shaft, with the bolts against the disk, you can now put constant pressure on the disk using the steering wheel nut to crank it all down. Works like a charm.

11. You can now dig the "C" ring off the shaft.

12. Remove the tool, and then remove the horn wire disk and washer

13. Remove the two screws holding the turn signal lever onto the switch. Let it hang by the wires.

13. Go back under the dash and unscrew the large screw that holds the large harness connector assembly together, to separate the two halves.

14. Unplug the turn signal harness connector from the assembly.

15. Slowly feed the whole assembly up through the column.

To re-assemble, everything, just reverse the above steps.

CAUTION - Don't re-install the fuse until the very last step. You just can't be absolutely sure about those things.

The job took me an evening, but I'm sure I saved at least $200 in parts and labor.

Hope this helps someone else out there who doesn't mind a challenge.