Replace turn signal

Tiny
GEEBO2B
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 SATURN SW2
  • 150,000 MILES
Is replacing turn signal/Headlight switch a DIY job? Ot is it really hard and needs a pro tech.
Saturday, November 12th, 2011 AT 3:10 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
It is a pain, but if you take your time and follow directions, it can be a DIY job. Just remember to disconnect the battery before working around the airbag.
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Saturday, November 12th, 2011 AT 3:43 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Just to add to this one to disable the air bag I pull the air bag fuse out of the inside fuse box.I wouldnt unhook the battery to disable the air bag one you will have to reset your clock radio stations etc. Two the radio could lock depending on the radio you habe and how its set up. Three all your emission monitors will reset and and they will have to be learned. Four the air bag can still go off because there is power stored in the air bags sdm which is the air bags computer.I have never trusted to let it sit without power so its safe. Then at the base of the steering column unplug the yellow connector that is the driverside air bag coil. Now its safe to remove the driverside air bag on the steering wheel on the back side of the steering wheel there is two caps remove the caps and remove the two 8mm bolts. Then pull the air bag back and unplug it. Then make sure the steering while and front wheels are straight loosen the 19mm nut dont take it off. Now grab the steering wheel one hand in the 6 oclock position and one hand in the 9 oclock position. Now firmly rock the steering wheel back and fourth you should feel the steering wheel pop loose. Now remove the nut off all the way. Remove the steering wheel now before you do anything else get some tape and tape the center of the diverside air bag coil so it wont move thats the part that you unplughed from the air bag. Also unplug the horn buttons and the cruise button if you have cruise. Now remove the 5.5mm screws and the one 7mm screw from the steering shroud remove shroud. The remove the three phillips screws holding the air bag coil in place. Move the air bag coil and let it hang below the steering column. The unplug the head light/turn signal combo switch connectors. Then remove the bolts holding the switch on now remove the switch. Its really not that hard. Let me know how it goes. Also why are you replacing it I have replaced very few in all my years working for saturn.
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Saturday, November 12th, 2011 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
GEEBO2B
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I am doing it as a 'guess'. My bright headlights are not working. My low beams work, but when I switch to 'bright' the blue panel light cos on signifying that the brights are lit, but from the outside there is nothing lit. No dims, no brights, everything is dark.

I replaced the bulbs, and was told that there is no dedicated fuse for brights, so I wouldn't know where else to look for the problem.

Before the brights went permanently dark, I noticed that when I would switch to brights, more and more they wouldn't light. But always juggling the switch they would eventually light. This went on for about a month and finally, no brights at all. So it is just a guess. If there is a way to spry some kind of 'cleaner' into the mechanism maybe the contacts are dirty? Wouldn't know what that would be. Figuring that the part is $136-$150 and pro labor would be about $400. So I thought of doing it myself. But then the air-bag issue is distressing becasue If I make a mistake I may expand the air-bag or worse, disable it so it wouldn't deploy in an accident which would really suck!
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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 2:03 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The switch is like 110 labor would be a couple hrs times shop labor rate. As long as you folow my directions you will be fine. If you leave something unplugged air bag wise you will know it because the air bag light will stay on. And there are only two connectors it could be. It sounds like the switch since you could wiggle it to make them work. You must use high beams a lot I havent replaced many of those switches.
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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 2:29 AM
Tiny
GEEBO2B
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HAha. Yes I used my brights almost non-stop. Reason.I noticed in L.A. That most cars have running lights. And it seems like drivers got more and more used to the 'running' lights. So your car doesn't stand out.( From the infinite number of wild nut-case angry, no-signal, sudden lane change drivers as well as drivers who race from 'slot to slot' just to get ahead. You know, these people can't drive a straight line for mare then a few yards but are switching lanes laterally for open slots and go as many miles laterally as they do straight! So then I started using my low beams, because it seems people ;tuned out ' to the running beams and still 'didn't see you' as they made those psycho lane changes. Then I noticed many people going to 'Low beams' in order to 'stand out' and again, noticed over the years that crazy drivers were 'tuning out ' to the low beams so I went to high beams at all times when I drove. I like to think that I avoided those sudden lane change collisions because people saw me in time because of the brights. I DO LOTS of miles in L.A. On the 405 (7 days a week). The near misses, and some of the real time collisions I have witnessed has me nearly n PTS mode where I am getting to a place where I don't want to drive anymore. Anyway. Somehow the brights gave me a feeling that perhaps I was a bit more visible. Maybe no statistics to back that up. But I felt safer. Maybe I should attach a huge 'strobe to my car that flashes in 360 degree pattern lol.
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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 2:53 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I live in southern california myself if I was a little closer I would say I would replace the switch the switch cheaper then taking it somewhere.
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Sunday, November 20th, 2011 AT 10:59 PM
Tiny
GEEBO2B
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  • 4 POSTS
Well, it would be spectacular to imagine getting it fixed for less than Tech shop prices. I live near LAX and my usual driving radius is 4 days a week to CSULB. (25 miles south), Agoura 30+ miles North on Saturdays, Santa Clarita about 34 miles North. I would drive the car to you. I would be happy to drive 40-50 miles one way to get it fixed. Shucks, maybe you could fix my heater fan/or switch.I haven't had an internal cabin heater/defroster fan for about 3 years because I didn't think I could afford to get it fixed. Anyway, no pressure, if you feel like you could do it for less and without too much trouble and it is within range, I would be happy to bring it to you. I would bring cash.
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Sunday, November 20th, 2011 AT 11:17 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Yes I belive I could save you some money and would love to replace it and also check out your blower fan.I will shop around for the switch for you for the best price. Check your email on here and I will send you contact info.
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Sunday, November 20th, 2011 AT 11:27 PM

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