lone ranger
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- Feb 5, 2008
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Well I finally replaced the sensor. It makes a difference. For those that wrote about the sensor on this forum I say thanks for pointing me in the right direction. It took me longer than expected since I was working alone and didn't have the use of a shop manual and I had to get up and down to get the tools I needed. Always nice to have a helper.
Before I did anything I moved the seat as far back as it would go. You will want to do this if you have power seats. I then disconnected the battery. The nut on the lower column that goes thru the wall is the one that comes off. It is behind the bracket holding the steering wheel and is the one that you have to loosen to pull the shaft towards the firewall. I used a 15mm box wrench, as the space is too confining to get a socket in there. Once the nut is off just pull the bolt out. It comes out rather easy and goes back the same. Realizing that the sensor sits in a case, gray in color, with about 4 retention clips, I inserted a small screwdriver behind each clip and pulled on the clip as I worked the sensor forward towards the firewall. On a couple clips I used a bent wire to move the sensor forward as I worked the clip, as they are buried on top. Don't break the clips, they are plastic tension release types and retain the sensor in the proper position. Break the clips and you might have a bigger problem than the replacement of the sensor. The connection for the sensor was located on top of the column and wrapped in foam. I had to peal the foam away. To disconnect the sensor I removed the green retaining clip by sliding it back out of the connector and once that was done the connection came apart pretty easy. Don't pull on the wires to disconnect. I might add that the wiring does not seem long enough to remove the sensor first by sliding it down the shaft prior to disconnecting the connector. Once disconnected you need to slide the connector thru the bracket and the steering column. It will get thru. You could cut the wires but I chose to leave them intact. Cutting would make the job easy. Once I got the connector thru I slide the sensor down the shaft and off.
The sensor goes back on the column with the metal bushing facing the driver. There is a notch at the top of the sensor housing that the sensor wiring fits into. You can feel this but I also used a mirror to see, with the help of a shop light, exactly what was there and how it fit. After fitting the sensor I connected the wires on the top side of the steering column. You have to fiddle with the connection but it will go thru the small opening that you previously removed it from. Someone else said to connect the connector first but this worked just a easy. Once connected I then pushed the green retaining clip back in, take notice how it comes out and replace the same way. I then slid the column up onto the shaft and aligned the holes, dropped the bolt thru the opening and then put the nut on and tightened it. I once again made sure the connection was good and that the sensor was seated proper in the housing and retained by the clips.
I took it for a test ride and all is good with the world.
You can buy the sensor thru GM, any auto store, or on-line. Mine was the "Help" brand part #31025 and fits '94 to '04 models. I mine purchased on-line, but I probably could have gone to my local auto store too.
Thanks again to all that posted information about the sensor.
Before I did anything I moved the seat as far back as it would go. You will want to do this if you have power seats. I then disconnected the battery. The nut on the lower column that goes thru the wall is the one that comes off. It is behind the bracket holding the steering wheel and is the one that you have to loosen to pull the shaft towards the firewall. I used a 15mm box wrench, as the space is too confining to get a socket in there. Once the nut is off just pull the bolt out. It comes out rather easy and goes back the same. Realizing that the sensor sits in a case, gray in color, with about 4 retention clips, I inserted a small screwdriver behind each clip and pulled on the clip as I worked the sensor forward towards the firewall. On a couple clips I used a bent wire to move the sensor forward as I worked the clip, as they are buried on top. Don't break the clips, they are plastic tension release types and retain the sensor in the proper position. Break the clips and you might have a bigger problem than the replacement of the sensor. The connection for the sensor was located on top of the column and wrapped in foam. I had to peal the foam away. To disconnect the sensor I removed the green retaining clip by sliding it back out of the connector and once that was done the connection came apart pretty easy. Don't pull on the wires to disconnect. I might add that the wiring does not seem long enough to remove the sensor first by sliding it down the shaft prior to disconnecting the connector. Once disconnected you need to slide the connector thru the bracket and the steering column. It will get thru. You could cut the wires but I chose to leave them intact. Cutting would make the job easy. Once I got the connector thru I slide the sensor down the shaft and off.
The sensor goes back on the column with the metal bushing facing the driver. There is a notch at the top of the sensor housing that the sensor wiring fits into. You can feel this but I also used a mirror to see, with the help of a shop light, exactly what was there and how it fit. After fitting the sensor I connected the wires on the top side of the steering column. You have to fiddle with the connection but it will go thru the small opening that you previously removed it from. Someone else said to connect the connector first but this worked just a easy. Once connected I then pushed the green retaining clip back in, take notice how it comes out and replace the same way. I then slid the column up onto the shaft and aligned the holes, dropped the bolt thru the opening and then put the nut on and tightened it. I once again made sure the connection was good and that the sensor was seated proper in the housing and retained by the clips.
I took it for a test ride and all is good with the world.
You can buy the sensor thru GM, any auto store, or on-line. Mine was the "Help" brand part #31025 and fits '94 to '04 models. I mine purchased on-line, but I probably could have gone to my local auto store too.
Thanks again to all that posted information about the sensor.
