QuestionQUESTION: I need to replace a windshield wiper switch on a 96 Ford Thunderbird. Can you walk me through the process?
ANSWER: Well, I have never done one of these, but I've seen the part. So far as I can tell, you remove the plastic housing surrounding the steering column behind the steering wheel, remove the screws holding the multi-function switch in place, unplug the wiring from the switch, then fit the new switch and reverse the process. Unlike old-fashioned turn signal switches, there is no need to remove the steering wheel. You just want to be careful when unscrewing and replacing the screws, they thread directly into the plastic and you don't want to cross the threads when replacing them. And don't over tighten them; it's super easy to strip the threads on one of these screws by exerting too much force.
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QUESTION: How do i remove the plastic housing surrounding the steering column? Sorry I'm really a rookie.
ANSWER: Again, I've never worked on one of these cars. But, there should be several (I think four) screws that come up from the bottom of the housing and screw the bottom half to the top half. They are usually hidden inside deep recessed holes, and you will need to get your head underneath and look up into the hole with a flashlight to determine what type of fastener is being used. In older cars they generally used a philips head screw, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that your car uses a Torx© head screw. If you don't already have a set of small Torx© screwdrivers for working on computers and so forth, then you should buy one at the bargain-bin tool dept in your local hardware or big-box store; they will come in handy again. The difficulty of removing these screws is the chief obstacle to accessing these parts, which is why car thieves usually just smash the cover with a hammer. There may also be a couple of bolts and screws securing the cover to the underside of the dash, look for them while you are poking around under there with the flashlight. It may look like a Chinese puzzle when you start, but it really isn't a big deal. It helps to remember that the whole thing was designed to be put together by nearly illiterate assembly line workers in Mexico. Keep that in mind and you will be able to reverse the steps they were required to take, and follow the path of least resistance to success. It helps to keep in mind while you are working that it was designed to be easy to put together, and with little thought as to taking it apart.
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QUESTION: Ok so I finally tried to complete this repair. I have removed the screws and the plastic piece is loose but won't come off. I removed three screws. The fourth holedidin't seem to have a screw in it. The piece is split into two piece, the top piece is secured by the ignition switch. Do i just need to snatch the bottom piece off or what. I don't want to break the panel cover. I even tried to remove the panel under the steering wheel, and over the wheel. I couldn't get those off either. Are there connectors holding the pannels on or what? Help me please, im going crazy here.
Answer That fourth hole should have a screw in it. Otherwise why have a hole there? Of course the screw could have been removed at some time in the past and left out. That plastic piece is just a cover, there shouldn't be anything else holding it on. It might make this easier if you removed the ignition lock cylinder. Look at the lock cylinder as though you were looking straight down into the slot where the key goes. Around the rim of the chrome (or black) piece there should be a tiny hole about the size of a paper clip wire. If you see that, put the key in the lock and turn it all the way counter-clockwise. Take a straightened paper clip and insert it in the hole. Push in with the paper clip while you gently try to turn the key further in the counter clockwise direction. The paper clip should push a little spring-loaded pin out of the way, allowing the lock to turn further past the accessory position. When it won't turn any more, pull out on it and it should come out of its housing. Now I'm not sure that this car is set up to work this way, but almost all other Fords are. Once the lock cylinder is out, it should give you a lot more leeway in fiddling with the column surround. Good luck.
