Removal of turn signal stalk

11072 Views 20 Replies 10 Participants Last post by SoCal, Aug 27, 2008

SeattleReign

Discussion Starter · Dec 31, 2006

So I've removed the airbag, the steering wheel, and I'm now a bit stuck. Sharky mentioned that the stalks are assembled like a puzzle and removing them can be a bit tricky, he wasn't kidding. I don't want to break anything trying too many methods so I thought someone could give me some direction.

The reason for all of this is to remedy my turn stalk that keeps ticking even after it's in the off position. I have replaced the emergency flasher relay already and that is not the culprit. My attempt is to remove the turn signal stalk, clean it, and then reinstall it. If that doesn't cure it I'll have to go back in to replace it, but that's another chapter I hope not to write about.

Here are some shots of where I'm at.

Above Angle

Front Angle

Below Angle

Right side (Key) Angle

And in case someone might know for sure, the below is a picture of what I thought could be the problem. It's an electrical strip (for lack of the technical term for it), that looks to be black coated everywhere else but on the bottom exposed section. Not sure if that would cause any issue like what's happening but it does seem that the coating has worn off here and it does connect to the turn signal stalk. Would this be anything that would cause an issue like this? Or would this type of wire strip be for something like the Cruise Control?

TIA

- Alex

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6

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

Tamut

· #2 · Dec 31, 2006

According to Bentley you're just about there. Just loosen the bolt on the clamp behind the switches and it should slide right off. See the picture below. They also have a caution about the spiral spring remaining on the steering column switch. Ensure the spring is not turned from central position. Just quoting the manual, I haven't actually done this before.

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SeattleReign

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 2, 2007

Duh! Ok, I feel stupid. Yeah, that did the trick. Thanks for the help. I know have a fully functioning turn signal stalk again. :thumbup:

Rusty

· #4 · Jan 2, 2007

Just wanted to post some thanks for clearly stating and illustrating your problem. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Glad it's fixed. I assume you cleaned the contacts on the switch, and that the harness-thingie was not an issue?

Purplezr2

· #5 · Jan 2, 2007

be careful when you remove the electrical connection, especially the small inboard ones.

deusexaethera

· #6 · Jan 2, 2007

I'm going to tackle this job myself eventually -- I have the same nastiness on the flexible plastic wires on the bottom of my turn signal switch, and I'm hoping against hope that it's the reason my cruise control doesn't work. Good to see someone else managed to do this without catching a faceful of airbag.

SeattleReign

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 2, 2007

I assume you cleaned the contacts on the switch, and that the harness-thingie was not an issue?

Yeah, I'm assuming that it's part of the Cruise Control. Everythings working fine, though I haven't tried the CC yet. Let's hope that I don't set it at 65mph and find the B5 speeding up to 90mph on it's own. :nervous:

be careful when you remove the electrical connection, especially the small inboard ones.

Not sure which electrical connections you're referring to. Regardless, I was very careful with everything I touched.

Purplezr2

· #8 · Jan 2, 2007

I was talking about the two closest to the column, there small and the on is hard to see how its held on, at least I thought so.

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deusexaethera

· #9 · Jan 4, 2007

SeattleReign said:
Everythings working fine, though I haven't tried the CC yet. Let's hope that I don't set it at 65mph and find the B5 speeding up to 90mph on it's own. :nervous:

Aww, that's just your car being enthusiastic. It's kinda cute, really. Just tell the nice officer that the car wanted to go that fast.

Arthrogrian19

· #10 · Jan 15, 2007

My turn signals started acting up last week (blinking at different speeds), and now they only blink once and shut off. I'm not sure if it's a relay or dirty contacts on the switch. My emergency lights work fine, and the lights blink when I lock/unlock the car.

Atown Passat

· #11 · Jan 15, 2007

Arthrogrian19 said:
My turn signals started acting up last week (blinking at different speeds), and now they only blink once and shut off. I'm not sure if it's a relay or dirty contacts on the switch. My emergency lights work fine, and the lights blink when I lock/unlock the car.

Sounds like a bad emergency relay. Mine did the same exact thing.

Arthrogrian19

· #12 · Jan 15, 2007

Atown Passat said:
Sounds like a bad emergency relay. Mine did the same exact thing.

I was just reading the thread you started and agree 100% with you.

:thumbup:

I'll pick up a new relay this week. Thanks!

SeattleReign

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 15, 2007

Hey, Ian. Well if the signal lights are actually going on (left and right side), when you use the stalk, then I would say you have the exact same issue as I did.
I would first recommend that you get a can of electric contact cleaner from an auto parts store. Before removing try spraying it in from every angle into the base of the turn stalk. Work the stalk around from time to time in between sprays. Do this in short sprays, waiting a little between sprays to allow liquid to evaporate. When you're done allow some time (maybe a half an hour), to let everything completely dry out before starting the car to check if it helped. If that doesn't work I would recommend removing the wheel like I did. It gave me much better access to spray in many different areas of the turn stalk.

Good luck.

SeattleReign

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 15, 2007

If your emergency flashers work and don't click afterwards I would guess it's not the relay. Ian, I do have a new relay that I purchased at first when I thought the issue was that simple. It's only been installed, used once and then removed. I could sell it to you for cheap compared to the dealership. Otherwise see if the dealer has one you can test with. If not they charge something like $34 for the relay and they won't let you return it for credit.

Arthrogrian19

· #15 · Jan 15, 2007

Edit:

Alex, I just went back outside to test the emergency flashers again and they didn't work. I tested them yesterday and they worked fine. It sounds like I'll be buying your relay.

Can you PM me and I'll paypal you some dinero?

Purplezr2

· #16 · Jan 15, 2007

Is the relay in the button, if so check out carparts4sale.com, he should have one for 10 bucks shipped of so,(used) fast shipper and easy to work with.

SeattleReign

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 15, 2007

Yes, the relay is behind the E-flasher button.

SeattleReign

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 14, 2008

Update:

So I made it about 16 months without any issues but I just recently had the mysterious ticking again. This time I decided to pass on removing the steering column and just be agressive with the canned air and Contact cleaner. I sprayed it into the base of the turn signal arm and moved that sucker all around. Sound gone. Hopefully I can make another year or so before it returns. It sure beats spending $130 on a new stalk.

leadfoot

· #19 · Apr 14, 2008

I just had mine replaced at the dealer $165 for the part and $175 labour IIRC, expensive at $350 but well worth it. There was no way I wanted to attept to take apart everything and realize I didn't have the right torx or some piece....better left to the guys who know how to do this kinda shit. I took the old one apart and no wonder they fail....complicated as all hell. No more insane clicking....now I have one extra good hazard relay too....

In studying the old one, I don't think cleaning will really do the trick, I actually think the copper contacts wear too thin and there also is a little too much wear giving the slightest bit of wear thus making things a little too loose inside there. I don't see how contact cleaner would even get in there now having looked at the design ...

Silver string

· #20 · Apr 14, 2008

I was thinking earlier while I was stuck waiting to pull out of a plaza and I looked at the blinker and wondered if it was possible to change the color of it?

Maybe to red or blue to match the other lights

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