My car has the 4-stalk column switches. The 2 on the right feel pretty good. The indicator one works fine, but has a fairly unpleasant "crunchy" feeling, like you can feel the contacts kind of grinding; feels like about 4 or 5 things are gradually making contact as you pull it, instead of one nice "click". Noticeably cheaper feeling than any new economy car. Also, the trip computer stalk has about an inch of play in it. You can wobble it around like a sloppy shifter in neutral. It does all its jobs fine, it's just that the "neutral" position is real floppy and vague.

I'm wondering if these switches are just kind of junky because they're a 20-year-old design, or if mine are worn out. I could see the indicator one getting pretty worn since that is used a lot, but then again it might just be designed that way. Feels about like a '70s VW/Audi product. Maybe that's just how they are? The trip computer doesn't seem like it sees a lot of use, so I have a hard time believing the previous owners opened up an inch of play on that thing; are they just this bad from the factory?

Just wondering if I replaced the whole switch set, if I'd be really satisfied with the way it feels, or if I'd still have pretty vague, mushy, crunchy stalks. How do all yours feel?

 

lower left or trip computer stalk, if this is what you say has an inch of play.....this is the only stalk that is easily removable....is held on by two torx screws....maybe yours have worked themselves loose, thus the play...

 

My stalks feel great.

 

I've always felt the stalks on these cars didn't feel durable. I almost feel like if I'm not careful one will break off easily, but after years of ownership, they have never failed. (knock on wood)

 

Great Call!!! This turned out to be exactly the case. I was able to peer in through the hole in the left side of the steering column and see things seemed to be moving more than they should at the base. Nice little project to remove the steering wheel and find both hex screws about 2 turns loose. I suspect somebody has had this apart before and forgot to tighten these. I put a drop of threadlock on each and tightened them up. What an improvement! Good opportunity to clean some of the parts in there at the same time. Thanks for the tip!

 

maybe i should have mentioned, steering wheel does not need to come off for this. just the surround piece and the rubber pieces on the sides. i actually only had 3 stalks (missing the computer stalk), bought one along with the wire harness and installed it without wheel coming off. but now you know how

 

To me it seems like it would be really hard to get to all that stuff with the wheel in the way. Easy to take it off and get more space.

 

I'm smarter, better looking, and richer, than you and I say it can be done and is very simple....

if you notice, the column surrounds on the stalks are are actually hard rubber and removable....there are 4 screws (need to move wheel back and forth to get at each of them) to remove the front column surround cover, once off, pieces pull out in sections....just elaborating for future members should they have this issue and don't want to be a poopie head like dkraige....

not long ago a rented the trans. tool from you....thanks again brother...

 

Removing the wheel also allows nice pictures to help forum members see better

 

You always have to be careful how hard you work your stalk... It's 20 year old plastic after all...

 

love this forum. my stalk has been loose for a while dangling. it tight now. thanks