Replacing Multi-Function Switch on 97-05 Buick Century

[Heather24950]

Hey there My father and I are having a problem locating the 4 mm screw under the steerin column? Can anyone help?

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@Heather24950

Make sure you have the bottom half of the cover off, and look underneath between the ignition switch and steering wheel. You will need a deep well socket to reach it. Hope this helps.

[coreyshu]

Very nice job. I had not started this as I really did not want to mess with the air bag but with the specialized tool you made it should be quite possible. Thanks!

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@coreyshu

Thanks, and good luck!

[JCHSportingClays]

Hi, Thanks for recording this video. I have a 2004 Buick Regal which is very similar. I'm having a hard time getting the op cover off the steering column..... now I'll go look for that 4.0mm screw you mentioned! Thanks again, Jerry

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@JCHSportingClays

Yes, that is probably all it is. Good luck with the repair!

[hokie1209]

Thanks so much for posting this video! I found it just in time. I would have pulled the steering wheel and all if I hadn't seen this. Your tips on the required tools was an added plus! My switch had actually broken off, forcing me to have to replace it. The high beams had been tough to get on for a while, so I knew the switch needed replacing. Just didn't get it soon enough before it broke off. New one works like a charm! Thanks again!

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@hokie1209

You're welcome! Pulling the steering wheel certainly adds much more unnecessary work to the job. I'm glad it worked out for you.

[BigDaddy28027]

im glad i found this video, i have a 99 Century an mines been doing that at random times, an others itll work fine, i got mine replacement from the JY so if it does fix it ill use it till i get the new one, thing is i probably wont use the whole harness just unclip from the main switch, unless ui change my mind. TY for helping out other century owners an so glad i wasnt the only one with this issue, thanks again for the step by step video

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@BigDaddy28027

I'm glad the video was able to help. Thanks for the comment!

[BigDaddy28027]

@Prouisorsapientiae

very welcome, im glad theres helpful an informative ppl like this to help shade tree mechanics like myself, i just changed the main switch not the harness as a test to see if it fixed it an sure enough it did so im goin to a1auto next week an order me a new one, saving me a ton of money.

[Heather24950]

@BigDaddy28027 I there, I was wondering if you could send me a link to the website you purchased the multi function switch from? I have been having the same problems,

Thank you

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@Heather24950

I don't mean to intrude, but I figured you might want a quick answer. He used a switch pulled from a junk yard as a temporary fix. If you go to the web sight I mentioned at the end of the video, 1aauto(dot)com, you will find the switch and harness there for $74.95 with cruise control, and $76.95 without cruise control. I added a direct link in the description. I hope this helps!

[Heather24950]

@Prouisorsapientiae Hey thanks im going to order the part and take care of it!

[BigDaddy28027]

@Heather24950

1aauto.com

[enginerick]

THANKS a TON for this vid, plus the tip on where to get the part far cheaper than anywhere I found (even a used one at the junkyard was more)! For future followers: I removed that hidden torxhead bolt that holds the top clamshell on by using a 4mm socket on a long extension. It jams on it just right. Also, the bottom shell has two pivot hooks at the very back that unhook; this is briefly seen in your vid. Oh, I was able to do whole job removing only 1 lower trim piece; took ~3 hrs.

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@enginerick

I'm glad the video was able to help you! Thanks for adding the additional advice. I should have been more visually concise while removing those pieces. I'm fairly certain removal of the dash trim can be avoided if you remove that hidden torx screw! I wouldn't know since I hastily removed it, lol. Thanks again.

[cfann61]

Replacing my turn signal switch today. I'm glad I watched this first so I didn't attempt to take the steering wheel off. Thanks!

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@cfann61

Let me know how it goes!

[bansheephreak]

Thanks alot bud. I was down to trying to figure out how to get the two wiring harness pieces out and I skipped through this video until I found it. It was a duh moment, but you helped me out by explaining that bolt in harness piece. Thank you for the help, good write up/video.

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@bansheephreak

Don't feel bad! It took me a while to figure out there was a bolt in there. It's difficult to see what you're doing underneath the dash, especially with spaghetti-like wiring everywhere! Thanks, and glad I could help.

[RowseyFilms]

No idea how I found your video but I hope this works for me as my combination switch will be coming in the mail today (my low beams & break lights wouldn't work). A couple questions:

1.)Do I have to remove the battery? If so, what's the minimum amount of time that I can?

2.)How much time did it take you to completely finish this repair?

3.)Do you have any advice? I'm a 20 year old guy with only minimum automotice experience.

Thanks! :)

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@RowseyFilms

1.)No, no removal, just disconnect the negative battery cable, and remove the fuse for the airbag.

2.)It took approximately 2 hours.

3.)Watch the entire video a few times, and read through the comments, to possibly save yourself time on the procedure.

4.)You're welcome, and good luck!!

[RowseyFilms]

@Prouisorsapientiae I very much appreciate the reply!

The video is kind of confusing because at some parts all I see is beige pastic and fairing with no points of reference to know where exactly you are working. I guess I have no choice but to dive in! Is the airbag fuse behind the cabin passenger panel? Also, how long do I have to leave it disconnected before I can begin working on it? Thanks a lot!

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@RowseyFilms

There are 4 trim pieces; 2 clam-shell type covers on the steering column, 1 piece directly underneath the column, and the large dash trim piece that covers the gauge bezel/HVAC-Stereo controls. Yes, the airbag fuse is behind the cabin passenger panel. You don't have to wait at all, just dive in!

[RowseyFilms]

@Prouisorsapientiae Oh really? I read somewhere that I have to disconnect the battery for at least a day so the airbag can discharge? I knew this sounded kind of funny but you didn't wait then?

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@RowseyFilms

The airbag works on a capacitive discharge system, and does hold a charge, but it would take an extreme circumstance to ground out the capacitor in the circuit. Some instructions call for waiting a few minutes to let it discharge, but it's just an extreme safety step. The amount of safety you wish to incur is entirely subjective to the individual. I am always nervous working around the airbag, and I never wait for the capacitor to discharge, but if it makes you feel safe, do it!

[RowseyFilms]

@Prouisorsapientiae Well, I'll thank you for your amazingly clear responses and help on a video that you posted over 7 months ago! I truly appreciate it. I hope to try to replace mine Saturday morning. Thanks so much! :)

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@RowseyFilms

You're welcome, and good luck! Let me know how it goes.

[RowseyFilms]

@Prouisorsapientiae Well, I'll thank you for your amazingly clear responses and help on a video that you posted over 7 months ago! I truly appreciate it. I hope to try to replace mine Saturday morning. Thanks so much! :)

[RowseyFilms]

@Prouisorsapientiae As promised, here is my update:

1.) I got the repair done! I didn't even look at the manual. Probably couldn't have found it in there anyway.

2.) It took me 3 hours to get everything apart and literally, 10 minutes to get everything back together.

3.) I used your exact same method with the lock- jaws and torx bit. Took a little coaxing but I got it after a bit.

4.) My lights work and I couldn't be happier. Thanks so much for making this video and helping others out! :)

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@RowseyFilms

Excellent!! I'm glad I could help!

[4WHEELOVER]

the bolt you missed was an extruded torx, the size escapes me , even after changing mine it still had no high beams, the switch was used though LOL

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@4WHEELOVER

That blasted thing! LOL. I wonder if you have short in the body harness, up near the headlights? Maybe a rusted through ground wire? Let me know!

[4WHEELOVER]

I found for the t25 behind the wheel a torx bit and a 1/4" wrench worked awesome

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@4WHEELOVER

That's another great method! I didn't have a T25 torx bit with a hex shaft to use, so I couldn't use that method.

[lollipopshim]

I have 2005 century and high bean doesn't click on. Do you reckon I could splice some wire in the switch assembly and make a switch of my own to control the brights?

Great video guide by the way. Very easy to follow!

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@lollipopshim

Yes, theoretically you could accomplish this, but if you have access to the wires inside the switch to do this, you might as well attempt to diagnose the short, or just replace the entire thing! Either way, good luck!

[lollipopshim]

@Prouisorsapientiae I ended up buying the parts and replacing the multifunction switch. Took me 2.5hrs. The hardest part was getting the dashboard/covers off. Thanks, I don't think I could've done it without the tutorial.

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@lollipopshim

Don't worry, removing the dash pieces IS the toughest part! I'm glad the video helped out. Maybe this will inspire you to fix more things yourself.

[morians]

You, sir, are my hero. I have a '99 Century and everything looks exactly the same as in your video. I was considering ditching my car, because I thought paying my mechanic $540 for the switch (not including labor) was insane. And now that I've seen this, I feel a whole lot better about it. Thank you!

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@morians

Awesome! It really is a fairly simple fix. If you ever have a problem with your power windows, take a look at my other video on replacing the window regulator and motor. Good luck!

[jeepter1]

im replacing my signal light switch on my 99 gran prix and when i pulled the harness out the 2 pin connecter wasnt pluged into anything and i cant figure out were it goes. i noticed on your replacement of the 97 regal it pluged into the cruse on the side of the steering colum but my doesnt have it on the side of the colum, im stumped can you help me? thanks

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@jeepter1

It's usually on the steering column. I'm not too familiar with your vehicle, so I'm not sure. You might find an answer at grandprixforums[dot]net. Good luck!

[jeepter1]

@Prouisorsapientiae ive looked on gp forms and cant find anything on conserning the 2 pin connecter, my 99 gp is different than the 97 bucik. any help would be appreciated, Rick

[gutball]

Watched your video and it inspired me to do it myself. Not only did you replace the switch, you documented it very well. Great Job!

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@gutball

You will do just fine! All it takes is patience. If you decide to follow through, let me know how it went. I'm anxious to know how the previous commentators fared with their attempts at this.

[gutball]

@Prouisorsapientiae All went well, got a used switch for $70 and it works like a charm. I wouldn't have attempted it if had not seen your video. Thanks.

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@gutball

Excellent. I'm glad I could help!

[billyjo1881]

Looks hard to me. I acknowledge your patience and persistance.

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@billyjo1881

If you think it looks too difficult, try to find someone more experienced that is willing to help watch and help you. For how much money you can save, and the feeling of accomplishment of learning something new will be beyond rewarding for you. You can do it!

[Christinaskiles]

Awesome! Thanks so much. Doesn't look too hard! Now I can fix mine!

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@Christinaskiles

Let me know how it goes!

[KeeperOfKeys100]

Your a lifesaver! There is a long sad story, but I got ripped off by a repair shop to fix the turn signal. They ended up replacing the steering column with one from a salvage yard and two weeks later that switch failed. They then wanted $700 to repair the repair. I just replaced it myself based on your video and it works great ($79 for the switch!). Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@KeeperOfKeys100

Excellent! I'm glad my video was able to help someone. $700?  WOW. I do know that 1aauto is the only place I could find that didn't want to charge $400+ for this part. Thanks for the comment!

[wheatus22]

@KeeperOfKeys100 Where did you find the switch for $79? My local auto shop quoted me over $600 dollars just for the part?! My cousin is a mechanic and said he would help me with the fix but I don't want to spend $600 for the part! Thank's a lot!

[Prouisorsapientiae]

@wheatus22

At 7:43 in the video, and in my reply to KeeperOfKeys100 above, I mention where to purchase this part. It is 1aauto*dot*com. I sent you a message with the links of the exact part for your vehicle. Let me know how it turns out!

[wheatus22]

@KeeperOfKeys100 2001 Buick Regal GS 3.8 SC. by the way!