Replacing turn signal stalk

[WWPierre]

My 1.9 litre Z3 has an intermittent fault in the turn signal. Sometimes I can signal a right turn and sometimes it doesn't work. Sometimes I can get it to work by flashing the high beam, sometimes I can't. I'm pretty sure the mechanism needs to be replaced. I'm not too bad at wrenching, but I feel this may be beyond my abilities, especially with the air bag. I would appreciate any comments or tips from the gurus here. Thanks in advance.

 

[DrWong]

Hello mate, I’ve not done this before, but just looked in the Bentley and the indicators themselves appear a fairly straightforward job. A few screws and then press on some retaining tabs to release the stalk bases from the column

But you’re right, the airbag has to be disabled and the steering wheel has to come off to get access. That seems a bit more involved than the stalks, i.e. front wheels pointing dead straight and various connectors and slip rings to detach

 

[t-tony]

Have a look for videos covering this on YouTube.

Tony.

 

[Jjim]

Sure I've done this before without having to remove the steering wheel.

To get to the wiring you might need to remove the trim panel below the steering wheel. 6 screws - 2 against the centre console, 3 to hold against the upper dash and 1 on the side where you open the door (need to use a short handled screwdriver for this). Also remove the lower trim panel where your feet go, there are 2 plastic quarter turn flat screws that you need to loosen.

Need to remove the steering wheel cowling - 1 plastic cross head screw underneath and one on top, then pull the cowling apart. There are retaining clips holding the stalk in place, just push them apart and then the stalk will come free. Then follow the wiring down the steering column to unplug the connector.

 

[Paul Rice]

No problem in the UK, we BMW drivers are renowned for not using indicators

 

[DrWong]

Sure I've done this before without having to remove the steering wheel.

To get to the wiring you might need to remove the trim panel below the steering wheel. 6 screws - 2 against the centre console, 3 to hold against the upper dash and 1 on the side where you open the door (need to use a short handled screwdriver for this). Also remove the lower trim panel where your feet go, there are 2 plastic quarter turn flat screws that you need to loosen.

Need to remove the steering wheel cowling - 1 plastic cross head screw underneath and one on top, then pull the cowling apart. There are retaining clips holding the stalk in place, just push them apart and then the stalk will come free. Then follow the wiring down the steering column to unplug the connector.

I did think it was a bit odd and unnecessary that the steering wheel would have to come off! But was just reciting Bentley. Good to hear from someone who’s actually done it

 

[Braz86]

I didn't realise they were fitted on most BMWs?!!

 

[t-tony]

I assumed that they would be the same as the C/C stalk fitment on my Z4, simply slide into a groove and plug the wiring connector on/off.

Tony.

 

[WWPierre]

Sure I've done this before without having to remove the steering wheel.

To get to the wiring you might need to remove the trim panel below the steering wheel. 6 screws - 2 against the centre console, 3 to hold against the upper dash and 1 on the side where you open the door (need to use a short handled screwdriver for this). Also remove the lower trim panel where your feet go, there are 2 plastic quarter turn flat screws that you need to loosen.

Need to remove the steering wheel cowling - 1 plastic cross head screw underneath and one on top, then pull the cowling apart. There are retaining clips holding the stalk in place, just push them apart and then the stalk will come free. Then follow the wiring down the steering column to unplug the connector.

This is excellent news. I may even be able to fix the unit, once I get it out. I couldn't find anything on YouTube, but maybe I wasn't asking the right question. Maybe there is an exploded diagram on RealOEM that will give me some insight.

 

[Jjim]

Instructions
https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/te...ELEC-Steering_Column_Switches_Replacement.htm

 

[Jjim]

Video of steering wheel cowl and trim removal. Not in English, but gives you an idea of what to do.

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-PytGVzybpY

 

[WWPierre]

Looks like a job I can do. Replacing the turn signal switch would be, of course, simpler. The film implies that the car is set up for cruise control as it comes from the factory, and lacks only the control lever. My Z3 is a RHD built for the Japanese market, I wonder if it is true for this car. Not that I would need cruise control as the car will seldom be used for highway driving. Thank you.

 

[WWPierre]

Instructions
https://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/te...ELEC-Steering_Column_Switches_Replacement.htm

Looks like I only need to go to step 2.

 

[WWPierre]

It's done! The last minor fault in my RHD Z3 is fixed. I have been putting up with this for a couple of years now. I thought I would need to remove the steering wheel and the airbag scared me. I knew I was looking at 4 or 5 hundred at the dealer..........sleepless nights.......but all along I thought it might be just a dirty contact. Turns out getting at the switch was easy as pie, once I committed to the job. Once the steering column shroud was out of the way, the whole switch just slid out. I was happy to see that the mechanism was open, so I soaked the s*** out of it with ether. I waited an hour for the fumes to dissipate, then I hooked up the battery, turned on the key, and both signals work perfectly. Calloo, callay, oh frabjus day!

 

[DrWong]

Well done mate

 

[Dalek]

It's done! The last minor fault in my RHD Z3 is fixed. I have been putting up with this for a couple of years now. I thought I would need to remove the steering wheel and the airbag scared me. I knew I was looking at 4 or 5 hundred at the dealer..........sleepless nights.......but all along I thought it might be just a dirty contact. Turns out getting at the switch was easy as pie, once I committed to the job. Once the steering column shroud was out of the way, the whole switch just slid out. I was happy to see that the mechanism was open, so I soaked the s*** out of it with ether. I waited an hour for the fumes to dissipate, then I hooked up the battery, turned on the key, and both signals work perfectly. Calloo, callay, oh frabjus day!

Isn’t it great when it all comes together. I was dreading retro fitting the cruise control, but it was really easy in the end. Well done on the indicators. Now you only have to remember to use them!

 

[Mint]

Well done, it sounds like the thought of the job was harder than actually doing it