84-85 column switch

[ekstrandt]

So I'm going to share my experience disassembling a column switch from a 1985 and a donor 1984. The initial plan was to just use the 84 switch but the parking light circuit and the turn signal switch where inoperable. I just needed the wiper arm. Getting the horn ring off was a little "scary" just pry carefully and evenly with two large screwdrivers and it will come off. You can see that there is a color difference from 84 to 85. The 84 (upper right) has black handles and the 85 has brown handles. The 85 has no pictogram for the lights when off. There is a small difference in the parking light switch shape also.

The 84 has 2 screws and 2 c-clips holding the plate and the 85 has 4 screws holding the plate on. Remove those and then be careful when removing the handles so you don't lose the ball bearings and springs that hold the switch in different positions. Under the wiper switch is a small white plastic spacer (I assume this activates the washer when you pull the handle). Don't drop it accidently or you will be searching for awhile trust me .


Clean up the contacts and reassemble.

[spider2081]

Thanks nice post. Any chance you have a photo of the back side of the switches. I would like to see the the colors and routing of the wires in area of headlight and parking light switches.

[ekstrandt]

Already put the 85 back in. Here are pics I just took of the 84.




Ask if you need more.

[davery]

i have a rather strange request. I have an 85 with what I think has a bent headlight switch. Do you have pics of the column with the headlight switch in the different positions?

[ORFORD2004]

i have a rather strange request. I have an 85 with what I think has a bent headlight switch. Do you have pics of the column with the headlight switch in the different positions?

Probably not bent but you can remove the handle that have spline on the shaft. Probably someone glue it back in the wrong position.

[vandor]

Nice work!
I wonder is the 1985 switch was a replacement meant for a different Fiat model, as it is brown?

[ekstrandt]

Davery

Here is a picture that I think will answer your question. The stalks should be parallel to each other as looked at from above. If yours is "finiky" to get your lights to come on there is something else besides a bent lever going on.


ORFORD2004

I just tried to unscrew the stalk just to see what would happen. It spins in one direction but does not come off.

[spider2081]

Thanks for posting the photos I requested. They are a big help for me.

[davery]

Davery

Here is a picture that I think will answer your question. The stalks should be parallel to each other as looked at from above. If yours is "finiky" to get your lights to come on there is something else besides a bent lever going on.

You could be right. I wonder if what ever bent the lever may have also done damage to the electrical connections inside the column. Thanks for the pic. One question, is the headlight lever in the up or down position in the pic?
Also, how difficult is it to remove entire switch column?

[ORFORD2004]

When I bought the car, I replace mine with a new at 2 or 3 hundreds. Last year, I had problem with the light switch. It was turning freely but not engaging the light every time and I was able to remove the arm (That's why I know it have spline). So I use the old one and the new one to work properly. I think that I use the old one and replace the wiper arm that was broken with the one from the new one.

John

[ORFORD2004]

One question, is the headlight lever in the up or down position in the pic?

It have to be up since the switch is off. You can only put it down when the lights are on and you have to turn off the high beam to be able to turn off the light.

[spider2081]

It have to be up since the switch is off. You can only put it down when the lights are on and you have to turn off the high beam to be able to turn off the light.

I think this is correct and many owners do not realize this is proper operation of the switches. So this leads to some broken switches. Also Some people think their switch is broken because it wont go to Hi beam but they haven't rotated the shaft to the headlight on position.
It is not an intuitive operation. We are use to modern cars where most things operate with out thought. So this headlight/parking light switch operation becomes confusing.

[ekstrandt]

Davery

Removing the column switch is very easy as long as your steering wheel comes off and the plastic cover around the steering column. Once the wheel is off unplug the electrical connectors. Then loosen the 8 mm bolt on the gold collar of the column switch, pull and it will slide right off.

I agree that it is non intuitive switch for the light. Especially like mine without a picture. I had no idea what that switch did until I looked in the owners manual. Lucky to have one of those. The heater/ temp controls were even more confusing

[davery]

Davery

Removing the column switch is very easy as long as your steering wheel comes off and the plastic cover around the steering column. Once the wheel is off unplug the electrical connectors. Then loosen the 8 mm bolt on the gold collar of the column switch, pull and it will slide right off.

I agree that it is non intuitive switch for the light. Especially like mine without a picture. I had no idea what that switch did until I looked in the owners manual. Lucky to have one of those. The heater/ temp controls were even more confusing

The steering wheel and black plastic shroud comes off easily. I'm going to have to look at that 8mm bolt when I get home. I remember that being a much larger nut. Perhaps the easiest way to repair is to remove the entire column to get a better look. Thanks.

[davery]

So I finally got around to removing the column switch. Everything went ok, but had a question about the bracket the column attaches to. It seems the wiring harnesses run between the dash and this bracket and the plastic connectors will not fit through this opening. I can't reach into the dash to disconnect the harnesses. Does this bracket need to be removed?