Got a GMC Surburban with a couple of problems at the steering column.

1) High/Low head light switch nonfucntional. Need to figure out how to get
at it to fix it.

2) Ignition switch no longer on column. It is now hanging from the bottom of
the dash, but the wiring seems too short to bring the switch back to where
it belongs.


Thanks

GeekBoy wrote:
> Got a GMC Surburban with a couple of problems at the steering column.
>
> 1) High/Low head light switch nonfucntional. Need to figure out how to
> get at it to fix it.
>
> 2) Ignition switch no longer on column. It is now hanging from the
> bottom of the dash, but the wiring seems too short to bring the switch
> back to where it belongs.
>
>
> Thanks


88 should have the switch bolted to the right side of the column and a
rod going up to the key assembly. The dimmer switch also bolts to the
side of the column on the opposite side, also with a rod going up to the
lever. The only thing you need to pull it the lower trim panel.
About the only dimmer switch that is easier is the floor mounted.

--
Steve W.

"Steve W." <csr684NOT@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:gbf43f$i4d$1@aioe.org...
> GeekBoy wrote:
>> Got a GMC Surburban with a couple of problems at the steering column.
>>
>> 1) High/Low head light switch nonfucntional. Need to figure out how to
>> get at it to fix it.
>>
>> 2) Ignition switch no longer on column. It is now hanging from the bottom
>> of the dash, but the wiring seems too short to bring the switch back to
>> where it belongs.
>>
>>
>> Thanks
>
>
> 88 should have the switch bolted to the right side of the column and a rod
> going up to the key assembly. The dimmer switch also bolts to the side of
> the column on the opposite side, also with a rod going up to the lever.
> The only thing you need to pull it the lower trim panel.
> About the only dimmer switch that is easier is the floor mounted.
>


Maybe I should take a picture of the switch in the morning and upload it to
a photo site.
It looks too big to fit into the steering column, and the wires too short
to go any further than where just they hang

> --
> Steve W.

GeekBoy wrote:
>
> "Steve W." <csr684NOT@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:gbf43f$i4d$1@aioe.org...
>> GeekBoy wrote:
>>> Got a GMC Surburban with a couple of problems at the steering column.
>>>
>>> 1) High/Low head light switch nonfucntional. Need to figure out how
>>> to get at it to fix it.
>>>
>>> 2) Ignition switch no longer on column. It is now hanging from the
>>> bottom of the dash, but the wiring seems too short to bring the
>>> switch back to where it belongs.
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>
>>
>> 88 should have the switch bolted to the right side of the column and a
>> rod going up to the key assembly. The dimmer switch also bolts to the
>
> This one is on the left side as driver is seating with the rod on the
> left side also.
> I can see a part that sticks out where you put the switch over it as to
> activate it up/down when you turn the key.

The one on the left side of the column is the dimmer switch. It has two
bolts in slotted holes. The slots are how you adjust the switch to
center the plunger.

>
>> side of the column on the opposite side, also with a rod going up to
>> the lever. The only thing you need to pull it the lower trim panel.
>> About the only dimmer switch that is easier is the floor mounted.
>
> The lower trim panel is off, as well as part of the shroud that covered
> the steering column is broken off a bit. Hence why I can see the rod on
> the left side.
>
> So I should just cut the wires to the light dimmer and put a switch on
> the floor?

Nope. The original switch itself is less than 20 bucks. You just unbolt
the old one. Then bolt the new one on with the actuator rod in place.
Then slide the switch up until the slack is out of the spring. Then
tighten the bolts. Test it. Some need to be a bit tight to actuate fully.

What I was saying about the floor switch is that it is the easiest to
change, with the one you have a close second, The main reason being that
the floor mounted ones tend to rust the bolts and wiring rots off. The
one you have doesn't have those problems.

> What colors are the wires?
> Suggestion on a switch?
>
> Thanks a lot for the response.
>
>
>>
>> --
>> Steve W.
>


--
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York

Life is not like a box of chocolates
it's more like a jar of jalapenos-
what you do today could burn your ass tomorrow!

GeekBoy wrote:
>
> "Steve W." <csr684NOT@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:gbf43f$i4d$1@aioe.org...
>> GeekBoy wrote:
>>> Got a GMC Surburban with a couple of problems at the steering column.
>>>
>>> 1) High/Low head light switch nonfucntional. Need to figure out how
>>> to get at it to fix it.
>>>
>>> 2) Ignition switch no longer on column. It is now hanging from the
>>> bottom of the dash, but the wiring seems too short to bring the
>>> switch back to where it belongs.
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>
>>
>> 88 should have the switch bolted to the right side of the column and a
>> rod going up to the key assembly. The dimmer switch also bolts to the
>> side of the column on the opposite side, also with a rod going up to
>> the lever. The only thing you need to pull it the lower trim panel.
>> About the only dimmer switch that is easier is the floor mounted.
>>
>
>
> Maybe I should take a picture of the switch in the morning and upload
> it to a photo site.
> It looks too big to fit into the steering column, and the wires too
> short to go any further than where just they hang
>
>> --
>> Steve W.
>

It doesn't go inside the column. It bolts to the top side of the housing
with two small bolts. Usually they are about in line with the trim panel
under the dash. There will be a rod that goes from the switch up to the
key cylinder. When you turn the key it pushes the switch to start the
vehicle.

--
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York

"Steve W." <csr684NOT@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:gbg94m$9rl$1@aioe.org...
> GeekBoy wrote:
>>
>> "Steve W." <csr684NOT@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:gbf43f$i4d$1@aioe.org...
>>> GeekBoy wrote:
>>>> Got a GMC Surburban with a couple of problems at the steering column.
>>>>
>>>> 1) High/Low head light switch nonfucntional. Need to figure out how to
>>>> get at it to fix it.
>>>>
>>>> 2) Ignition switch no longer on column. It is now hanging from the
>>>> bottom of the dash, but the wiring seems too short to bring the switch
>>>> back to where it belongs.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>
>>>
>>> 88 should have the switch bolted to the right side of the column and a
>>> rod going up to the key assembly. The dimmer switch also bolts to the
>>> side of the column on the opposite side, also with a rod going up to the
>>> lever. The only thing you need to pull it the lower trim panel.
>>> About the only dimmer switch that is easier is the floor mounted.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Maybe I should take a picture of the switch in the morning and upload it
>> to a photo site.
>> It looks too big to fit into the steering column, and the wires too short
>> to go any further than where just they hang
>>
>>> --
>>> Steve W.
>>
>
> It doesn't go inside the column. It bolts to the top side of the housing
> with two small bolts. Usually they are about in line with the trim panel
> under the dash. There will be a rod that goes from the switch up to the
> key cylinder. When you turn the key it pushes the switch to start the
> vehicle.
>

Feeling around I could tell what you are talking about.

I guess I have to remove those two big bolts in order to drop the column
down?

Thanks a lot for these very helpful tips.

> --
> Steve W.
> Near Cooperstown, New York

GeekBoy wrote:

>>
>> It doesn't go inside the column. It bolts to the top side of the
>> housing with two small bolts. Usually they are about in line with the
>> trim panel under the dash. There will be a rod that goes from the
>> switch up to the key cylinder. When you turn the key it pushes the
>> switch to start the vehicle.
>>
>
> Feeling around I could tell what you are talking about.
>
> I guess I have to remove those two big bolts in order to drop the column
> down?

Yep. BUT make sure you tighten them real well when you put them back.
They are part of the safety system (the blocks they go through allow the
column to collapse)

>
> Thanks a lot for these very helpful tips.

--
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York

"Steve W." <csr684NOT@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:gbgkoo$pt6$1@aioe.org...
> GeekBoy wrote:
>
>>>
>>> It doesn't go inside the column. It bolts to the top side of the housing
>>> with two small bolts. Usually they are about in line with the trim panel
>>> under the dash. There will be a rod that goes from the switch up to the
>>> key cylinder. When you turn the key it pushes the switch to start the
>>> vehicle.
>>>
>>
>> Feeling around I could tell what you are talking about.
>>
>> I guess I have to remove those two big bolts in order to drop the column
>> down?
>
> Yep. BUT make sure you tighten them real well when you put them back. They
> are part of the safety system (the blocks they go through allow the column
> to collapse)
>

The switch is back in place, however I see I am having trouble placing the
dimmer switch

It seems it should bolt on with the starter switch, but the bar coming down
from the combinatin lever bar does not seem to want to go up that high to
meet the dimmer switch.

Bolted on the starter switch is where it is suppose to be?

Thanks again.

>>
>> Thanks a lot for these very helpful tips.
>
> --
> Steve W.
> Near Cooperstown, New York

GeekBoy wrote:
>
> "Steve W." <csr684NOT@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:gbgkoo$pt6$1@aioe.org...
>> GeekBoy wrote:
>>
>>>>
>>>> It doesn't go inside the column. It bolts to the top side of the
>>>> housing with two small bolts. Usually they are about in line with
>>>> the trim panel under the dash. There will be a rod that goes from
>>>> the switch up to the key cylinder. When you turn the key it pushes
>>>> the switch to start the vehicle.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Feeling around I could tell what you are talking about.
>>>
>>> I guess I have to remove those two big bolts in order to drop the
>>> column down?
>>
>> Yep. BUT make sure you tighten them real well when you put them back.
>> They are part of the safety system (the blocks they go through allow
>> the column to collapse)
>>
>
> The switch is back in place, however I see I am having trouble placing
> the dimmer switch
>
> It seems it should bolt on with the starter switch, but the bar coming
> down from the combinatin lever bar does not seem to want to go up that
> high to meet the dimmer switch.
>
> Bolted on the starter switch is where it is suppose to be?
>
> Thanks again.
>
>>>
>>> Thanks a lot for these very helpful tips.

The dimmer is farther up on the column than the ignition switch. If you
removed the old one it should bolt on in place of it.

--
Steve W.

"Steve W." <csr684NOT@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:gbjjhe$vim$1@aioe.org...
> GeekBoy wrote:
>>
>> "Steve W." <csr684NOT@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:gbgkoo$pt6$1@aioe.org...
>>> GeekBoy wrote:
>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> It doesn't go inside the column. It bolts to the top side of the
>>>>> housing with two small bolts. Usually they are about in line with the
>>>>> trim panel under the dash. There will be a rod that goes from the
>>>>> switch up to the key cylinder. When you turn the key it pushes the
>>>>> switch to start the vehicle.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Feeling around I could tell what you are talking about.
>>>>
>>>> I guess I have to remove those two big bolts in order to drop the
>>>> column down?
>>>
>>> Yep. BUT make sure you tighten them real well when you put them back.
>>> They are part of the safety system (the blocks they go through allow the
>>> column to collapse)
>>>
>>
>> The switch is back in place, however I see I am having trouble placing
>> the dimmer switch
>>
>> It seems it should bolt on with the starter switch, but the bar coming
>> down from the combinatin lever bar does not seem to want to go up that
>> high to meet the dimmer switch.
>>
>> Bolted on the starter switch is where it is suppose to be?
>>
>> Thanks again.
>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks a lot for these very helpful tips.
>
> The dimmer is farther up on the column than the ignition switch. If you
> removed the old one it should bolt on in place of it.


Problem is, it was hanging when I got the vehicle. I will look and
see..thanks again.

>
> --
> Steve W.