The cruise control switch in an Oldsmobile Alero is mounted on the steering column. The switch, while reliable, can fail suddenly due to an electrical short or from the electronics burning out. When the electronics burn out, the switch will need to be changed. If you have never done this job before, expect to spend an hour changing the switch.
Disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Loosen the nut on the cable clamp and lift the clamp off the negative battery terminal.
Pry up on the steering wheel trim covers on the face of the steering wheel using a flat tip screwdriver.
Remove the screws under the trim covers.
Pull the steering wheel front cover off the Alero steering wheel.
Unplug the electrical connector running to the airbag assembly on the steering wheel.
Remove the bolts holding the airbag assembly in place with a socket wrench and pull the airbag assembly off the steering wheel.
Remove the center nut on the steering wheel with a socket wrench.
Put the steering wheel puller in the center of the steering wheel. The arms on the puller should wrap around the center of the steering wheel assembly. Thread the bolt through the center of the puller and into the steering column. Tighten the center bolt with a socket wrench until the steering wheel comes off the steering column.
Remove the screws underneath the steering wheel (on the underside of the steering column cover) with a screwdriver.
Pull the steering column cover off with your hands.
Remove the two screws holding the cruise control switch in place using a Torx head screwdriver.
Unplug the electrical leads running to the cruise control switch and pull the switch off of the steering column.
Install the new switch. When installing the steering wheel, it will slide right back on the steering column with no problem. The rest of the installation is the reverse of removal.
