turn signal switch install

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Ontheboulder

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2022
Posts
310
Reaction score
365
Location
colville,wa
First Name
greg
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
gmc sierra classic v2500
Engine Size
350
Well, since all roads for non working brake lights have led me to the turn signal switch. I am thinking about trying to replace it my self. I haven't done one in nearly 35 years and that was on my old 72 chevy. pretty simple steering column back then. I hope this will work out good! Any one got any tips or tricks to make it a smooth job on this 87 gmc tilt column?? I did manage to find that I had the locking plate tool,for what reason I have no idea.so gonna borrow a buddies steering wheel puller and cross my fingers!!
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,121
Reaction score
6,037
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
Well, since all roads for non working brake lights have led me to the turn signal switch. I am thinking about trying to replace it my self. I haven't done one in nearly 35 years and that was on my old 72 chevy. pretty simple steering column back then. I hope this will work out good! Any one got any tips or tricks to make it a smooth job on this 87 gmc tilt column?? I did manage to find that I had the locking plate tool,for what reason I have no idea.so gonna borrow a buddies steering wheel puller and cross my fingers!!
If you got those two, you shouldnt need much for special tools. Although if you are "in there" i do believe there is possibly something that is a wear part or also good to get at the same time, but I am not sure what it is.
is your column loose or shaky at all? Hasnt been used to pull someone into it at all I hope?
 

Ontheboulder

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2022
Posts
310
Reaction score
365
Location
colville,wa
First Name
greg
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
gmc sierra classic v2500
Engine Size
350
If you got those two, you shouldnt need much for special tools. Although if you are "in there" i do believe there is possibly something that is a wear part or also good to get at the same time, but I am not sure what it is.
is your column loose or shaky at all? Hasnt been used to pull someone into it at all I hope?
it has a little movement but not much. I don't think I am gonna tear into it for that. fishing the wires into and out of the column will probably be the biggest pain, I think I will lowe r the column down a bit to get better access to the switch connector under the dash.seems awfully tight for my fat hands!!
 

Big Chip

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2017
Posts
4,656
Reaction score
6,728
Location
Michigan
First Name
Kevin
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C35
Engine Size
454
I replaced the turn signal/cruise control stalk in a truck I used to own a few times. It really wasn't bad to fish the wires through the column.
 

Ontheboulder

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2022
Posts
310
Reaction score
365
Location
colville,wa
First Name
greg
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
gmc sierra classic v2500
Engine Size
350
a little update, got the steering wheel and the locking plate off, found one of the springs on the old switch laying on the column housing, broken. seems to be a lot of grease, normal-not normal??? Gonna take some pictures before I go any further so I can remember how it goes back together. The horn wasn't working so I will look into that as well while the truck is in surgery!!LOL
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,121
Reaction score
6,037
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
a little update, got the steering wheel and the locking plate off, found one of the springs on the old switch laying on the column housing, broken. seems to be a lot of grease, normal-not normal??? Gonna take some pictures before I go any further so I can remember how it goes back together. The horn wasn't working so I will look into that as well while the truck is in surgery!!LOL
I could be remembering wrong but there shouldnt be any grease on the upper parts of the column, loose that is. Maybe on the tilt springs (maybe..) but that seems strange to me. maybe someone forced grease into there and that caused issues
 

Snoots

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Posts
8,158
Reaction score
15,957
Location
Georgia
First Name
Roger
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
Jimmy Sierra
Engine Size
350
Tie a length of string to the connector. When you pull the harness and connector out you'll have something to pull the new one in.
 

John-Ryan

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Posts
272
Reaction score
427
Location
Texas
First Name
John-Ryan
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
V20
Engine Size
355
Take the time and remove the bolts that hold the column to the shaft, to loctite them and retighten. Save you from having play in the wheel.
 

RoryH19

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2015
Posts
1,668
Reaction score
1,081
Location
Texas
First Name
Rory
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R10 Silverado SWB
Engine Size
350 TBI
I just replaced mine yesterday, maybe an hour or so job.
On a 78 k10, with tilt column.
Agree with lock tighting the bolts for the tilt portion. They are e-torx, reverse torx. You will need another puller.
I can take a pic of mine if you need a reference.
 

Ontheboulder

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2022
Posts
310
Reaction score
365
Location
colville,wa
First Name
greg
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
gmc sierra classic v2500
Engine Size
350
Here is where I am at this morning. Seems to be a lot of grease on the turn signal switch.
 

Attachments

  • 10D7F2E6-BD8B-4F50-8608-BC4BBAE52F9E.jpeg
    10D7F2E6-BD8B-4F50-8608-BC4BBAE52F9E.jpeg
    123.4 KB · Views: 105
  • 6B743000-FDD6-46DA-ACC6-DEDE689AFE51.jpeg
    6B743000-FDD6-46DA-ACC6-DEDE689AFE51.jpeg
    123 KB · Views: 116

Ontheboulder

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2022
Posts
310
Reaction score
365
Location
colville,wa
First Name
greg
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
gmc sierra classic v2500
Engine Size
350
Another update,found the problem,one wire on tur signal switch burnt. I put white paint to make it more visible
 

Attachments

  • FD671880-EC0B-496F-92B8-31714B82FBAC.jpeg
    FD671880-EC0B-496F-92B8-31714B82FBAC.jpeg
    69.2 KB · Views: 76
  • BAE1F10F-0B9C-4384-91A0-39833F4F010A.jpeg
    BAE1F10F-0B9C-4384-91A0-39833F4F010A.jpeg
    71.3 KB · Views: 87
  • F1D2AD5D-EE65-4BED-9FFA-88BCA7CA20FF.jpeg
    F1D2AD5D-EE65-4BED-9FFA-88BCA7CA20FF.jpeg
    100.8 KB · Views: 79

Ontheboulder

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2022
Posts
310
Reaction score
365
Location
colville,wa
First Name
greg
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
gmc sierra classic v2500
Engine Size
350
New switch is installed! Now to put stuff back together!
 

Attachments

  • 9D3501D8-DBC2-444B-975D-524BB7A95BCD.jpeg
    9D3501D8-DBC2-444B-975D-524BB7A95BCD.jpeg
    149.3 KB · Views: 97
  • 435D25D3-2ADD-4789-98EC-BB118EAC06BA.jpeg
    435D25D3-2ADD-4789-98EC-BB118EAC06BA.jpeg
    130.6 KB · Views: 75

DoubleDingo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Posts
10,014
Reaction score
14,157
Location
Right where I am
First Name
Bagoomba
Truck Year
1981, 1965
Truck Model
81-C20 Silverado Camper Special-TH400-4.10s; 65-C20 with 4:57 gears and Borg Warner Overdrive
Engine Size
Carb'ed Vortec 350; 1972 L48 350

DoubleDingo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Posts
10,014
Reaction score
14,157
Location
Right where I am
First Name
Bagoomba
Truck Year
1981, 1965
Truck Model
81-C20 Silverado Camper Special-TH400-4.10s; 65-C20 with 4:57 gears and Borg Warner Overdrive
Engine Size
Carb'ed Vortec 350; 1972 L48 350
I'll be doing mine this weekend.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,849
Posts
903,432
Members
33,362
Latest member
Dhatch84
Top