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windshield wiper control

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dixiechevy01

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I need some help with the windshield washer control switch on my k5. Replacing the control because the plastic part that controls the washer fluid is broken and last winter sucked with out washer fluid on the salty roads around here.

Well it's an 87 but the steering column is out of a 90 suburban. I have a used switch that I got out of one in a junkyard. Only thing I can't figure oout how to get the old switch out. Does it just pull out or do I need to remove the steering wheel? Anyone have any advice let me know, thanks.
 
You are talking the "stalk" that also controls the turn signals and cruise, right?

You will most likely need to get the column at least partially torn down to get the wires snaked in/out.

The stalk will pull straight out, but be careful, when it comes out it normally takes enough force that you reach the end of the wires before your hand runs out of momentum. :)

An alternative might be to simply cut the wires close to the "new" stalk, and splice them to the existing switch wiring. I'm normally not the type of guy to do that sort of thing, but if you KNOW the problem is the stalk itself, snaking the wires back through the column is enough of a hassle that I might see if I could cleanly splice the wires up top.
 
You need to pull the steering wheel and then the locking plate. There are a few screws and then the multi function comes out. To feed the wire you need either thin guitar or piano wire. O'reilly's should have the tools you can use in their lot.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Mines the newer style steering column, the switch is a little different. Only reason I'm replacing it is because the plastic part around the inner part of it cracked and broke and now I can't use my washer fluid. So there's nothing that actually holds it in, you should be able to just pull it out? And I should be able to splice the wiring together that's what I planned on doing just couldn't get the old one out
 
If you are actually doing the switch (not the stalk) I don't think I'd splice the wires. That portion of the ribbon wiring is a real pain to fit in there, crimped connectors or even solder/heat shrink might end up with such a large bundle that fitting it all back together would be difficult. The connector at the base of the column WILL fit back up through the column without too much work. I was talking about the cruise control wires for the stalk, which is a different story.
 
The cruise control hasn't worked since my dad swapped over the 90 suburban steering column, I wasn't to worried about it working. It'd be nice to have it again but I mainly just want to get the switch out and put the junkyard one in. Its not the whole switch that I have it's just the end of it there 2 small prongs on each side at the bottom so that's why I was wondering how to get it out. Or would it be a better idea to just get a whole new switch from the parts store cuz I gotta pull the steering wheel anyway to fix the horn wiring
 
So you ARE talking about the turn signal stalk.

Yes, it just pulls out. No wiring goes to it except for the cruise control. Everything else is done through the piece show in the 1st picture above, that you get to by removing the steering wheel and various components.

I don't think I'd change it if you don't have to.
 
Ok just didn't wanna break anything when I pulled it out I didn't know if that was how it came out. I'm only replacing it cuz the plastic washer fluid switch cracked and won't engage the washer fluid
 
Well I changed the wiper control out and wiring the cruise control back up. Only took like 5 minutes, now that I know the control just pulls right out. The washer fluid actually sprays now, but I haven't had it on the highway yet to see if the cruise control works or not. It didn't work before so I'm not to worried about that.
 
If you want to fix the cruise, it's not real complex, I MIGHT have the troubleshooting/testing scans up online somewhere if you want me to look for them.

Personally, I love cruise. Can't stand driving on the freeway for hours anymore without it. (and unfortunately I have to now with my car) Didn't think I liked it before, but anymore, I will take it. If it fails, it's not like the truck won't run, so I don't see a downside to having it.
 
Yea cruise control is definitely nice to have on the highway especially for long trips. I don't drive my blazer that right now anyway, but it'd be nice to fix it for future trips. If you have the diagrams yea I would look at them. Are they on ck5's website or your page?
 
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