Turn signal,hazard lights switch bad.

Hi fred,

I worked at a salvage yard for a while. During that time I pulled hundreds of airbags. I thought I'd share a few things.

I've provided this as a supplement to erietracks solution, not to replace it. It provides important additional information you need to be aware of when working on or around SIR (Supplemental Individual Restraint) airbag systems. It lists the potential dangers of doing so and the appropriate precautions against accidental premature deployment. Any work done on the steering column should include this.

Precautions for working with and handling airbags: Take these Seriously!!!

• Alway wear safety glasses.
• Control the environment - no kids, pets, people horsing around.
  
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal. After you are done, make sure no one is inside the vehicle when you reconnect the battery. If your vehicle has an anti-theft system, you'll need to get your activation codes to reset your sound system.
• Do not use solvents to clean your airbags. They may ignite if accidentally deployed. Use only a damp cloth.
  
• Airbags are sensitive to heat in excess of 190 degrees F. Store them accordingly.
  
• Airbags are sensitive to impact - handle them carefully
• Airbags are sensitive to static electricity - ground yourself, Spray the seat and rug with fabric softener (anti-static - ever heard the term 'static cling')
• Wires for the SIR are bright yellow, the connectors are labeled.
• In addition to forward mounted sensors, there are also three sensors in the dash.
  
• Do not use voltage testers or VOM's on SIR wiring.
• Do not haphazardly disconnect airbag components
  
• Be safe
• Be aware
  

• Turn the wheel to the straight ahead position
• Lock the ignition and remove the key
• Disconnect the negative battery cable. Be advised, this alone will not render the system safe. The diagnostic module (DERM) can retain a charge
• Remove the airbag fuse (refer to fuse block cover for location)
• At the bottom of the steering column locate the Airbag connector. (Yellow wire, yellow conduit)
• You may need to remove the sound insulator panel beneath the instruments to access it
• Disconnect the plug

REMOVE THE AIR BAG BY 1ST DISCONNECTING THE YELLOW WIRE HARNESS LOCATED UNDERDASH & REMOVING SIR FUSE. USING A SMALL PHILIPPS SCREWDRIVER /PUNCH OR DRILL BIT, INSERT INTO SMALL HOLE LOCATED IN REAR OF AIR BAG. YOU WILL PUSH ON AN INTERNAL RELEASE MECHANISM. AIR BAG WILL POP OUT SLIGHTLY WHEN MECHANISM IS RELEASED. PULL BAG TOWARD YOU & DISCONNECT WIRING HARNESS. REMOVED UPPER & LOWER COLUMN TRIM COVERS & THEN STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS A SPECIAL PULLER NEEDED TO REMOVE WHEEL AFTER YOU REMOVE THE RETAINING NUT.THE MUTLI-FUNCTION SWITCH WILL THEN BE

You can go about this in 2 ways.
1. Disconnect the battery. Pull the airbag fuse. Remove the airbag by taking out the torx bolts on the back side of the steering wheel. Disconnect the wires for the airbag and horn. Remove the steering wheel retaining nut. Use any standard steering wheel puller to remove the wheel. Then change your multifunction switch. Reassemble in reverse order.

2. This is the fast way. :) You'll notice that there are 2 or 3 t-15 torx or 7mm bolt holding the switch in place. One on top and either 1 or 2 facing the backside of the steering wheel. It's ease to get the top bolt out. The fronts can be tricky. What I like to do is take a small torx bit (not a socket) and clamp it in a pair or small vise grips. Turn the steering wheel to get as much clearance as possible. Then use your bit setup to turn the bolt out a little at a time. After youget it out a little way you should be able to finnish removing it with your fingers. Somethimes a 7mm 1/4" drive socket will work as well. Because of the smooth surface you will have to clamp it very tight.

Once you get the hang of it, the second method should take about 10 minutes to change the swith out. Either way will work well. Let me know if you need anymore help, Len