Steering column switch. Removing the steering column switches

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

If suddenly your car's turn signal, glass cleaner, lights or wipers stop working, most likely the reason is hidden in a malfunction of the steering column switch.

It is quite possible to solve this problem without the help of the hands of specialists. How is the stalk switch for turns and wipers dismantled? Find out the answer to this question in our today's article.

What needs to be done?

The first step is to prepare the tools. However, it will not take you even a couple of minutes of free time, because all you need for the work is a single Phillips screwdriver. So how do you get started?

First you need to unscrew the two mounting screws on the lower casing of the steering column to the power steering. In addition, we take out the screw of the steering column switch connector, as well as the screw that fastens the lower and upper casing of the column together.

Next, you need to remove everythinglisted parts after removing the steering wheel. First, the lower and then the upper casing of the column is removed.

After we squeeze the switch latches with our fingers and take out the left element of their connector. We remove the block with the wires of the instrument panel. The right stalk switch is dismantled in the same way. In this case, it is necessary to remove the wires of the device from the block of the panel board.

Installing a new device is done in the reverse order, similar to removal.

How to remove the steering column wiper switch on VAZ cars?

In principle, the procedure is no different from the above, but there are some nuances. On domestic-made cars, the first step is to remove 3 mounting screws that fasten the two column casings. One of them is located on the left under the steering wheel, and the other two are on the right side of the ignition switch. Next, the steering wheel must be moved to its lowest position and proceed with the dismantling of the casings, removing their levers from the slot. After, by pressing on the lower and upper plastic latches, we disconnect the steering column switch. It makes no sense to repair it - it will be easier to purchase and install a new one.

By the way, the installation and dismantling of the VAZ steering column switch does not require removing the steering wheel. The only difficulty will be reinstalling the casings, but this can be done very quickly and without additional effort.

Pay attention

It is worth noting that before performing the operation to remove suchelements, it is imperative to de-energize the vehicle's on-board system by removing the negative terminal from the battery. However, such actions with de-energizing the network should be carried out when working with any electronics, be it installing a new radio, replacing headlights or foglights.

What should I do if the light stalk is too loud?

Owners of domestic cars are no strangers to the noisy operation of mechanisms of this kind. On almost all VAZs (and especially on the Niva), the steering column switch works very hard and rough. On the one hand, this is a trifle, but on the other hand, sometimes thoughts about self-improvement of this mechanism flicker. How to improve the steering column wiper switch correctly? Consider the method using the example of a VAZ 2108 car.

Improving the operation of the switch mechanism

First, we need to pull out the element cover and remove the handle. After that, we will see the internal structure. What is indicated by the yellow line is the profile along which the stem moves when the turn signal is switched. A clicking sound can occur for two reasons - when the part is turned on and when it is turned off. In the first case, the handle with a mechanism at the end will hit hard on the side of the case (when the turn signal is turned on). In the second, the characteristic sound is due to a spring-loaded rod that beats into the center of the yellow line. Fixing the last problem with your own hands is very difficult, but in the first case everything is much simpler.

First you need to look at the switch knob and its device at the end. Two arrows indicate its location at the wall of the housing. In this case, it is enough to stick a small piece of foam rubber or some other softening material on this beating place on double-sided tape (for example, choose rubber for greater reliability). Places under it need to grind off about 1-2 millimeters deep. You can also make the inclusion of the direction indicator softer. To do this, it is enough to shorten the spring by 1-2 turns.

Some car enthusiasts recommend sticking a piece of rubber on the cover itself, but in practice this does not bring any benefit. The return lever, which is attached in this place, does not make significant sounds, so you do not need to glue anything there.

Now let's move on to the right switch. In it, we also make the switching softer. As in the previous case, for this you need to shorten the spring. But it should be reduced by no more than 2 turns. At the same time, it is recommended to check the condition of the contacts, which are shown by a wide arrow on the switch.

What did we end up with?

The improved stalk switch has become much quieter, with virtually no annoying clicks. Thus, after just a few manipulations, we slightly reduced the noise of the mechanism parts, which will certainly affect the ride comfort (albeit to a small extent). For the full effect, it is better, of course, to produce complete soundproofing.

Finally, we note that in order to reduce the noise of the switch, in no case should it be installed from other car models. Firstly, it is much more expensive than double-sided tape and a piece of elastic, and secondly, in its shape it is unlikely to be combined with the overall interior design, not to mention the size and connection scheme.

So, we found out how this element is dismantled and how to improve the mechanism for switching it.