Indicator Stalk

[Highway-Star]

OK, I have an irritating little problem with my Sierra, thats been getting worse for last two months or so. When I put my RH indicator on my highbeam flashes (not all the time, just some times, now its getting very frequent). Associated with this problem, I cannot always get the stalk to move downwards into the RH indicator position. All other functions on the stalk work fine.

I fear I'm gonna get 'done' by Mr. Plod for flashing someone oneday. Plus i hate highbeamers, and I feel bad doing it to people.

Now what am actually asking:
- Anyone else had the problem?
- Should I just replace the switch thing in the steering column? Is that easy?
- Is the silly thing actually repairable, or are they a sealed unit type thing?
- Likely cause, just wear and tear on a 16 year old car? or has someone broken my stalk through rough usage?

You probably figured, I know nothing about what the little switch inside the column is like, just going by the way the stalk is behaving.

Incase its actually relevent (don't think so). I've got aftermarket Halogen 40/100W lights setup with relay etc. I've got LED front indicators with a little red silent flasher unit to suit.

Thanks.

[Danzo]

Now what am actually asking:
- Anyone else had the problem?
#Not in a sierra
- Should I just replace the switch thing in the steering column? Is that easy?
#Yes / not to hard
- Is the silly thing actually repairable, or are they a sealed unit type thing?
#Usually not repairable, but cant say for sure, Maybe get another 2nd hand one
- Likely cause, just wear and tear on a 16 year old car? or has someone broken my stalk through rough usage?
#Probably BOTH



Incase its actually relevent (don't think so). I've got aftermarket Halogen 40/100W lights setup with relay etc. I've got LED front indicators with a little red silent flasher unit to suit.

#Not if its been wired up correctly but there could be a possible bad earth?

#The stalk may have just pinched the wires at some stage or they are wearing through due to age. And the little lugs that turn the indicators off may be almost flat or broken ?
Thanks.

My 2c

[Big D]

my rh indicatior stalk doesnt like to stay down. i have to hold it down in roundabouts lol and trying to steer one handed is really uncofortable in a sierra

[lump_a_charcoal]

Got lift?
I noticed when I put in higher springs that the steering wheel was no longer centred, and the indicator stalk doesn't work as well as it once did..
I guess until I replace the diffs and set up the steering properly, it will be like this...

[Highway-Star]

No I don't have any lift, just about 1 inch of sag, LOL.

What Big D is experiencing is similar to me, except I have the high beam issue too.

Thanks Danzo, the headlights were done by the auto-sparky so I hope they were done porperly. Wont bother trying to pull it apart and fix it then, just look at chasing up a another one.

[St Jimmy]

pull the steering wheel off and give it a good spray with wd40 that helped me when stuffed up in mine

[Danzo]

Got lift?
I noticed when I put in higher springs that the steering wheel was no longer centred, and the indicator stalk doesn't work as well as it once did..
I guess until I replace the diffs and set up the steering properly, it will be like this...

arrrmmmm?

how much lift did you get? 2"? it might put your wheel out a little but thats easy to fix, pull the steering wheel off when you know the wheels are straight then try and get the steering wheel closer to centre. I know what your saying!

If the return auto off for the indicators still works then you may just need a wheel alignment to straighten things up,
not as serious as replacing or changing anything!
It is recomended to get a wheel alignment when changing any suspension in the front, (mainly when lifting or lowering any vehicle) [it changes the draglink angle and central positioning, which can obviously make your steering wheel look off centre!!!!
sometimes even make your car pull in one direction.
your toe in and toe out can change dramatically, and usually does with a lhigh lift while using the original draglink. not a mechanic and I might be wrong about some thing but I do know that a wheel alignment is recomended altering the suspension.