The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Replace wiring harness in the steering column

The wiring coming out of the bottom of the column on my 58 Suburban is a mess. The connector isn't hooked to anything and there are multiple wires with missing/broken insulation. Needless to say, the blinkers don't work. The turn signal lever is kind of jacked up too and the horn button/assembly is basically nonexistent. I'm contemplating buying a new wiring harness for the truck. I'll probably have to get a new signal lever assembly.

Has anyone ever rewired the column? Can you dissasemble the column and reqlace the internal wiring? Is there an aftermarked repalcement?

In the short term, I need to get the truck to where it will pass inspection. All new wiring may be a longer term project.

Thanks

the wiring in the column is from the turn signal switch, a new switch will have the wires attached [see here] you just need to fish them down the column - the separate horn wire is attached to the upper mast bearing, same deal, fish it down ... which is to say, when you pull the old wires out you need to attach a wire or string to them so you have something to pull the new ones in with ... see various signal parts here, there's a "universal" connector available for your missing one, but if you have the harness side or get a hew harness with that side, you can try the parts wanted for the factory one for the signal sw wires

Bill

Bill;

Hooah. Thanks for the tips. Great info!

I rewired the steering column several times, for a variety of reasons. My lessons were:
- You can get all the parts you need from ClassicParts (www.classicparts.com/)
- Do it all at once: I got the wiring harness, the whole turn signal assembly and mast bearing (very easy to change by the way).
- Finish the steering wheel if it needs it
- Paint the mast if needed

I didn't need to employ Bill's technique for fishing the wire bundle, but that is a good idea. For me, pulling the steering wheel (requires wheel puller each time and then I needed to re-thread the bolt once), is something I didn't care to do a number of times. So replacing everything that was marginal would have saved me a few "re-dos."
don

Larry, I believe your color codes on the main harness will be LEFT: Light Blue - front and Yellow - rear, and RIGHT; Dark Blue - front and Green - Rear. At least you can find out if your body harness is ok.

Chevrolet has used Packard brand electrical connectors since before forever and NAPA stores usually have them in stock. Since I don't have a factory type crimp tool, I solder everything and use heat shrink tubing.

Best wishes,

Les

Gents;

More great info. Thanks!