Voltmeter install / Chafed wire in steering column
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: N. IL
Voltmeter install / Chafed wire in steering column
During my voltmeter install, I decided the top of the steering column would be a great mounting spot. It lived there with a ghetto plastic-tie around the column for a few days, but I figured there should be room to get a bolt under that cover… and I hadn’t bothered to check steering column chafed wire in 17 yrs. Of course, we’re covered in the Excursion Tech Folder:
OD switch chafed wire fix 1.
Or fix 2. From: Woodnthings
Both great write-ups, but they skipped the parts that interested me most; details and photos on how to remove the column covers; upper and lower. So, here’s a pictorial. Oh, and yes, I checked the chafe-prone wire on my 2000; I was chafe-free. All this talk of chafing reminds me of Susy Chaffee – remember her chapstick commercials? (I’m easily side-tracked…
)
Step 1 – disconnect your battery (I didn’t, but that seems to be ‘de-rigueur’ for these How-Tooz).
Step 2 – get your Philips screw driver and remove these 3 screws. The 4th hole labeled as ‘lock’ we’ll cover later.
OD switch chafed wire fix 1.
Or fix 2. From: Woodnthings
Both great write-ups, but they skipped the parts that interested me most; details and photos on how to remove the column covers; upper and lower. So, here’s a pictorial. Oh, and yes, I checked the chafe-prone wire on my 2000; I was chafe-free. All this talk of chafing reminds me of Susy Chaffee – remember her chapstick commercials? (I’m easily side-tracked…
) Step 1 – disconnect your battery (I didn’t, but that seems to be ‘de-rigueur’ for these How-Tooz).
Step 2 – get your Philips screw driver and remove these 3 screws. The 4th hole labeled as ‘lock’ we’ll cover later.
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 30,593
Likes: 1,236
From: N. IL
Part II
Step 3. – I removed the lower cover (not necessary) just to look around and be nosy. You must unscrew (lefty loosey) the column tilt lever. The rusty metal tab is threaded to hold the tilt stalk. From there, the lower cover pulls down and toward the seat. Keep track of your parts in the lower cover used as a basket. Here’s what it looks like with the lower cover removed.
Silver toggle is to the dome override switch.
Silver toggle is to the dome override switch.
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 30,593
Likes: 1,236
From: N. IL
Part III
Step 4. Now find the ‘ball lock’ that unlocks the ignition switch. It lines up with the 4th hole in the lower steering cover (if you left that on the column); otherwise it’s easy to find. With the key inserted in the ignition and turned to run, use a wire to depress that ball lock and the entire ignition switch will come off when pulled toward the passenger side (simultaneously with the ball lock depressed). Set the switch and key aside. Note your vehicle will remain in ‘run’ even with the lock off (if you didn’t disconnect the battery).
Apologies, I took the iPhone pics cattywampus.
Apologies, I took the iPhone pics cattywampus.
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 30,593
Likes: 1,236
From: N. IL
Part IV
Step 5. Gently pull up and toward the front seat to remove the upper column cover. Pull toward the passenger side when loose from the instrument panel and follow the gear selector to remove completely. It doesn’t help that my steering wheel is turned 90 degrees to the right during this whole process. Finally, you can see the wires under the column cover and the black one which is subject to chafing.
...right, I need to re-glue the end cap to the cruise control....if I can find where I stashed it...
...right, I need to re-glue the end cap to the cruise control....if I can find where I stashed it...
Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 30,593
Likes: 1,236
From: N. IL
Part V
Step 6. Get some degreaser and clean up that disgusting mess. Years of sand, dirt, grease…food? - especially on the gear shift boot. Now, the real reason for my removal is to mount a couple gauges. Do some measuring and drill holes, route the short bolts thru the mounting tabs. I could see no interference from the bolt heads on the underside of the upper cover.
Step 7.
• Re-install the upper cover, click it into place,
• Re-install the ignition and key (rotate back to ‘off’ and remove the key).
• Re-install the lower cover careful to match up the plastic tabs with the upper cover.
• Re-screw in the steering column tilt lever (righty tighty).
• Re-attach the 3 Philips screws.
Step 7.
• Re-install the upper cover, click it into place,
• Re-install the ignition and key (rotate back to ‘off’ and remove the key).
• Re-install the lower cover careful to match up the plastic tabs with the upper cover.
• Re-screw in the steering column tilt lever (righty tighty).
• Re-attach the 3 Philips screws.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 5
From: chicago northwest suburbs
Nice write up, but it was much easier for me to put the PID on my Tablet running Dash Command. It shows voltage and 5 other gauges at once. 12 total with 2 pages. Although you did find the chaffed wire! I'll get a pic of my setup just because of the mount I made!
Good job!
Good job!
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Is the other bracket for as-yet-unknown future use?
Sure better to mount it now than have to take everything apart next time.
Pop
Sure better to mount it now than have to take everything apart next time.
Pop
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Thread Starter
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: N. IL
It is Pop, I was thinking of this, but the price is holding me back.
I was envisioning sending y'all a -15 temp in Feb from the frozen state.
...and you know me too well...
VEI Ambient Air Temperature Gauge - egaugesplus
I was envisioning sending y'all a -15 temp in Feb from the frozen state.
...and you know me too well...
VEI Ambient Air Temperature Gauge - egaugesplus
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