Hello, I just replaced my ignition starter switch over the weekend. Took some patience, and about 3 hours to do it, but over all an easy project. This fixed my original starting issue. HOWEVER, in the process of pluggingthe main harness together under the dash, it pulled a 'hot' wire to the low beam headlights switch out of the 'multi-function' cruise control, turn signal, wipers module attached to the left hand side of the steering wheel column. Damn it.... now my low beams do not work on the truck. Spent a good hour or so trying to figure out how to crimp it back into place. I took it to a dealership, and they said that I needed a new switch.... (aka... pull the steering wheel, pull the old switch off the column, and replace with a new 1. Ha... they wanted $419.68 for the part alone, and 3.5 man hours @ $90.00 per hour. Obviously I told them not while I was a live..... Needless to say I found the exact part I needed on line through a great discount parts place for ONLY $99.95.... (a difference of $319.73 compared to the dealership) How do the dealerships sleep at night..... Short story Long, I will attempt to pull the stearing wheel myself and replace the part. 1 potential hazard is the airbag. Does anyone know what I need to do to pull the steering wheel? Will a $14.99 standard Wheel Puller work from local auto parts store? do I need something more? Thanks, Jason

 

Yes,you need more...a working knowledge of airbag safety....buy a book before you get into it

 

Thanks Argon, I will consider it. I hear if you disconnect the battery terminal, and take the fuse out for the airbag, and wait for approx. 10 to 15 min...to eliminate any static charge left over that the removal of the airbag is relatively simple. Sounds like you may have had a bad run in with an air bag your self..... :-) Anything I shouldn't do that maybe you learned from? Thanks, Jason

 

i've never had 1 go off..but have set them off before disaposal...they are powerful....its still dangerous,even without the battery..its designed to pop during a crash where the battery is smashed

 

I will try to be careful..... I will let ya know how it goes..... thanks

 

Nice looking truck.

 

Thanks. It's real clean 114,000 original miles. All done up right....

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Don't consider buying a book....do it. One of our biggest concerns in the fire dept is those things going offafter we arrive and really hurting someone. Granted, we may cut the car apart, but air bags can really mess you up.

 

Thanks for the advice.... perhaps I will buy a book, or at least educate myself on how they work on-line.



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I know guy who had to set 1 off for disposal...in the shop,they decided to play around and put a spare tire on top of the bag....when it blew,it shot the tire off the ceiling and bounced it around like a basketball...no injuries,but some property damage....