How hard to go backwards?

[YakkoWarner]

My 1989 Suburban has the high-low beam switch mounted at the base of the column with the actuator rod going up to the turn signal/wiper/cruise multifunction lever. The rod does not seem to be connected to anything at the upper end anymore, I suspect the plastic has probably broken. The switch works just fine if you reach up there with your finger and press it, so I know there is no wiring failure.

I am wondering how difficult it would be to go back to a floor mounted button for the high-low beam function because frankly the thought of disassembling the column gives me nightmares. Has anyone does this?

 

[Edelbrock]

I would assume that a floor mounted switch would be easy to install. Probably get one on Amazon cheap enough. The trick would be accessing the wires in the steering column. Maybe there is a wiring diagram on this site somewhere, so that you could take the wires from under the dash or something.

 

[Strick]

The floor switch will plug directly into the column harness. You can make you a jumper lead to floor or dash mount the switch.

 

[Strick]

Industry should quit with column dimmers because idiots keep getting their feet stuck in the steering wheel! I know, should've posted in the funny stuff...

HS

 

[YakkoWarner]

I would assume that a floor mounted switch would be easy to install. Probably get one on Amazon cheap enough. The trick would be accessing the wires in the steering column. Maybe there is a wiring diagram on this site somewhere, so that you could take the wires from under the dash or something.

Fortunately the wires don't go up the column, only the actuator rod - the switch itself is actually under the dash, pretty easily accessible.

 

[YakkoWarner]

The floor switch will plug directly into the column harness. You can make you a jumper lead to floor or dash mount the switch.

Thats handy to know - extending wires isn't that hard. What year did GM go away from using the floor switch? If I know what was the last year for the floor switch I can just buy the part for that model year.

 

[Ricko1966]

Thats handy to know - extending wires isn't that hard. What year did GM go away from using the floor switch? If I know what was the last year for the floor switch I can just buy the part for that model year.

75-83 standard ignition ds72 or ds72t

 

[YakkoWarner]

75-83 standard ignition ds72 or ds72t

Perfect! Once I get it back from the flexplate replacement I'll grab one of those and see what can be worked up. Thanks!!!!

 

[Ricko1966]

Perfect! Once I get it back from the flexplate replacement I'll grab one of those and see what can be worked up. Thanks!!!!

Dammit man! Did you post up that you needed to change a flexplate? If so I didn't see it. Not a hard job,don't even have to really pull the transmission. Replace 2 of the bellhousing bolts with starter bolts,you can slide the transmission back on them far enough to change the flex plate. Yes it is more involved than that. Only posting this so next person will ask can you change the flexplate without pulling the transmission,can you change a flexplate with the transmission in the car etc. will get a hit in search. You are still doing the majority of a transmission R+R but still simple and just sliding the transmission back.

 

[YakkoWarner]

Dammit man! Did you post up that you needed to change a flexplate? If so I didn't see it. Not a hard job,don't even have to really pull the transmission. Replace 2 of the bellhousing bolts with starter bolts,you can slide the transmission back on them far enough to change the flex plate. Yes it is more involved than that. Only posting this so next person will ask can you change the flexplate without pulling the transmission,can you change a flexplate with the transmission in the car etc. will get a hit in search. You are still doing the majority of a transmission R+R but still simple and just sliding the transmission back.

Yeah it was a whole separate posting about having the teeth chewed up - having to change starters in the car park at work, etc...and being on a 7 day a week work schedule for the past 3 months meant no time to mess with it.