The switch really is as easy to replace as MJE said and you dont have to go anywhere close to the airbag.
Depending on what the shop rate is there $127 might only be an hour and a bit. I'm not sure what flat rate is for doing the job.
I really shouldn't try talking you out of taking it to your dealer because I work at a dealer, and if your dealer is like we are, we want the work

 

Thanks MJ. Maybe I'll give it a shot first. If I can't handle it, I'll take it in. It's worth an hour of my time to save 127 bucks, that's for sure. (BTW, they said it's an hour and a half labor for the 127 quote)

I'll give it a shot, and thanks again guys.

 

Picked up the part today, paid 106 total (tax and all.. )

Looks easy enough, I'm glad I didn't have them install it. (well, not yet anyways.)

I'll let you know how the adventure goes, thanks to MJEmerson, AZPete and others for telling me to not be a wuss and do it myself. I think I can get it done, and save the 127 they were gonna charge!

 

You can split the $127 with the people here that helped if you cant figure out anything else to do with it

 

hey scott...how did it go?

 

Okay guys, believe it or not, I'm just NOW doing this....

Threw out my back last week, don't know how. I'm 85% better, but going to see Metallica last night didn't help matters! I HAVE to get this done though!

Okay, I've got the battery disconnected, got the cover off, (with 4 pins that gets me back there..) took apart the steering column, and seperated it, but now I'm kinda stuck.. can I get those two pieces off entirely? It seems the ignition cover keeps me from taking the top off, and the level that controls the steering column going up or down, prevents me from taking the bottom off. I can't see enough in there and what screws to take the switch off with! Can I pop off the igintion cover somehow? What about the other lever?

Oh, and the two screws? They don't look like something I use a screwdriver to get off? Allen wrenches maybe? If so, seems like a tough place to get in there with. If it were a screwdriver, I think I could get to it, even with the column covers not entirely off...
Thanks guys!

 

I'm more mechanic than I thought, and that ain't sayin' much! I figured out the screws, I actually had a screwdriver to fit 'em. Okay, I do need help though.. how do I get the steering column covers off? The lever that controls the steering column going up and down, (why I can't think of the term for that, I have know idea) and the ignition cover seem to block me from taking them off?

 

You do have to remove the lever and the ignition lock cylinder.
The lever just unscrews. If you dont have a wrench that fits on the flats near the bottom of the lever you can probably just use some pliers to unscrew it.
After you have tilt lever off you can remove the bottom column cover.
Then you remove the ignition lock cylinder by turning the key to the run position and inserting a small screwdriver or pick or something like that in the hole under the lock cylinder. There is a pin in there that pushes in and then the lock cylinder pulls out. You can only remove or install it with the ignition in the run position so you should remove a battery terminal so you dont drain the battery while you work.
Once the lock cylinder is out then the top cover comes off.
The screws that hold the multifunction switch to the column have Torx heads on them....sorta star shaped.

 

Got the lever off, I had figured that out on my own. (I'm proud of myself!)

Anyways, I can't for the life of me figure out where that hole is, or the little pin that releases the ignition cover. I have the key turned to the run posistion, and of course, disconnected the battery. Is it under the key hole? On the side? I'm going to search for a diagram, if there is one, cause I'm having a tough time finding it.



Never mind, found it! Little ball bearing you had to push, that stood out once I found it!

I march on...

 

Okay, now I have to take out the wires, or the harnesses that go into the switch. They don't just pull out, I'm pretty sure of that. Is there a trick to getting them off? The clasps at either end of the harness look kinda fragile, I don't want to break them. There's no screws or anything, right? I'll keep looking and seeing if I can figure it out, but wanna see if there's something I'm missing.

 

You just carefully pry the connectors off with a screwdriver.

 

yup...just go easy on the connectors scott, but if they break its not a big deal, the harness is usually snug enough to hold it, plus that wire wont be getting moved. after that just reverse the process and your home free. keep us posted.

 

I'm DONE!

Taking the connectors off was the trickiest part. An orange wire came out on one as well, but that was easy to shove right back in there. I was a little freaked, the multi switch was a little different than the original. It didn't have the exact amount of plugs on it, but I guess they weren't needed, and hey, I got it from the dealer, they'd never steer ya wrong, right?

Anyways, I put it all back together, and boom, the lights work perfectly. Signals work, wiper blades, even shoots the stream of window fluid out now, (it wasn't doing that for about a year) ..highbeams, everything works!

Like anything else I guess, first time was awkward and a learning experience, but now? I could definitely do that job in 30 minutes or less.

Thanks to everyone who helped me, and helped me save $130 in the process. Special thank yous to EJEMerson, Racerguy, and AZPete.

When I'm ready, maybe you guys can help me with the light on my dashboard.... it's dim on the right side only... like where the RPM gauge is... that's the only spot, everything else is normal. Probably a simple light out, but I think I'll bask in my glory for the night and have a beer.

Thanks again guys!

 

Good to hear that you got it done

 

glad to hear it all went well...the dash lights are just more of the same. a lot more screws and a little tighter working area. just let us know when your ready for that one.