Doh! I didn't - even though I posted in it. Ah, the joys of aging...

 

My auto electrician has connected a replacement indicator switch up and everything worked before rain stopped play.

Is it possible to remove any more of the steering column surround to access the existing indicator or does the wheel need to come off first?

 

Wheel nees to come off IMO IME.

Telescope wheel out towards driver.
Tilt down.

Turn off auto (what you just did stays that way!!)

Grab a magic marker. Permanent is good.

Turn steering wheel so you have access to torx bolt #1 that holds air bag in place. I found it easiest to unbolt with ratchet wrench on top of steering column.

Disconnect battery. Wait a minute or two.

Unbolt airbag bolt #1. Turn steering wheel so airbag bolt #2 is now in unbolt position. Unbolt.

As I recall there are 2 bolts. Remove/ disconnect airbag. Put it across the room on a shelf or somewhere that if it somehow went off, it explodes into clear safe area.

Steering wheel is now held on by 1 bolt in center. Unbolt it.

Grab that magic marker. Make a mark on both steering wheel and steering column- when you reattach steering wheel you want it in proper position.

Look at and study the electric wires coming into the wheel for the airbag. Unlatch any hold downs - you need slack for when wheel is pulled off. Last thing you need is the airbag wire harness doing the job of stopping the removal - and given the pull you'll put on it, you can't react fast enough to stop the inertia.

Quick note for future. If the upper cowl was still in place, you could've placed masking tape across it onto steering wheel for reinstall alignment. (Just an fyi).

I think that covers it.

John

 

Thanks John really appreciate the advice

 

 

Thanks John and everyone else you guys are amazing. The problem was the blue wire suggested on the indicator stalk. Annoying how much it cost me to get to the problem and swap it out but thankfully fixed now. Really appreciate the advice.

 

C, you're welcome!!! Thank you for the follow-up.

J