Steering Column Wiring

Fozzy_Bear · November 24, 2008

Hi all.

I recently bought a 96 3500 (diesel 4x4, 4-door) knowing that it was inexpensive, so there would be issues... I've had it a few months, and I've got most of them sorted...

Well, the headlights go out if you look at the truck funny. - then they come back once the truck gets over it and feels better. - or that's what it seems.

My local neighborhood mechanic told me that the GM trucks of the mid-90's had a poorly designed wiring harness in the steering column and the wires would chafe. Apparently jiggleing the high-beam switch (in the turn signal stem) or actuating the "tilt" function of the wheel will move things around and cause the lights to go out, or return.

Now, I am not looking to pick a fight about "bad design" or anything... I simply have two questions:

1) do you (people very familiar with GM products) agree with what my local mechanic diagnosed?

&

2) what is the way to fix it. - I am not necessarily looking for the CHEAP way to fix it... I want to do it right (cheap is obviously a bonus though)

thanks.

-sorry if this is a recurring question... I DID try a search first, but apparently there is a key word I am missing.

Fozzy_Bear · December 1, 2008

a bump for the After-holiday crowd... maybe?

GRB · December 2, 2008

Hi all.

I recently bought a 96 3500 (diesel 4x4, 4-door) knowing that it was inexpensive, so there would be issues... I've had it a few months, and I've got most of them sorted...

Well, the headlights go out if you look at the truck funny. - then they come back once the truck gets over it and feels better. - or that's what it seems.

My local neighborhood mechanic told me that the GM trucks of the mid-90's had a poorly designed wiring harness in the steering column and the wires would chafe. Apparently jiggleing the high-beam switch (in the turn signal stem) or actuating the "tilt" function of the wheel will move things around and cause the lights to go out, or return.

Now, I am not looking to pick a fight about "bad design" or anything... I simply have two questions:

1) do you (people very familiar with GM products) agree with what my local mechanic diagnosed?

&

2) what is the way to fix it. - I am not necessarily looking for the CHEAP way to fix it... I want to do it right (cheap is obviously a bonus though)

thanks.

-sorry if this is a recurring question... I DID try a search first, but apparently there is a key word I am missing.

I had the same issue with my 97 tahoe, yes the harness that connects to the steering column is not really a good design. It's hard to tell if the pu is completely engaged. I would take it apart and off the column check it to see if it has deformed from the heat generated by a poor connection or if any of the terminals are loose. If it is you should probably replace the harness, if not connect it back together and make sure it is seated correctly and then tighten the bolt completely.

Fozzy_Bear · December 2, 2008

I had the same issue with my 97 tahoe, yes the harness that connects to the steering column is not really a good design. It's hard to tell if the pu is completely engaged. I would take it apart and off the column check it to see if it has deformed from the heat generated by a poor connection or if any of the terminals are loose. If it is you should probably replace the harness, if not connect it back together and make sure it is seated correctly and then tighten the bolt completely.

Thanks.

Since you have done it before; are there any "gotcha's" I should look out for when dismantling the steering column? (and, do I need a special tool for the wheel, or anything else in there?)

How long of a job (for a shade-tree mechanic) do you expect that would be? (few hours; all day; all weekend? I'm not looking for a work quote, just a general order of magnitude)

thanks.

95Sierra2500 · December 2, 2008

It may be easier for you to drop the column down to get the plastic shroud off, and be VERY careful with the airbag (provided it has one, my '95 does NOT). Those little tabs for the airbag wires break VERY easily, especially when they get old. Otherwise there shouldn't be any 'gotcha's in it as the harness just kinda hangs from the column.

Fozzy_Bear · December 3, 2008

It may be easier for you to drop the column down to get the plastic shroud off, and be VERY careful with the airbag (provided it has one, my '95 does NOT). Those little tabs for the airbag wires break VERY easily, especially when they get old. Otherwise there shouldn't be any 'gotcha's in it as the harness just kinda hangs from the column.

OK, so...

1) drop the whole column rather than struggle with the shroud in-place

and

2) the airbag (yes, I have one) connectors are fragile.

good to know. - Thanks.

If I DO need a new harness, is there anybody making an aftermarket version (painless, perhaps) that you'd recommend, or am i stuck heading to the factory?

.