Guidance for removing cruise control lever on column

[CharlieS]

I have removed the cruise control computer, actuator and cable, but still have the lever on the steering column.

Can anyone share tips or tricks for removing this column mounted lever (called a "control switch" and "cruise control switch"in the FSM)?

This is on a '94 and the switch is mounted to the column - it doesn't rotate with the steering wheel.

The steering column clamshell is removed, and I can remove the steering wheel if I need to, but figured I'd ask the 'mud collective before continue and break something.

Yes, I have searched on the site, in the FSM and using Google. I am a horrible searcher.

 

[logicbyondreaso]

Looks like it's held in place with 2 bolts. Are you getting rid of the setup? I may be interested in all components.

 

[Malleus]

If memory serves, it's comes straight off after the bolts are removed. I had to remove the light switch on my '94 when the high beam function stopped working, to test the switch. I don't remember any great difficulty. Of course, you have to remove the steering wheel, first.

We had a laugh while doing this. I asked my son to pull it off by hand (I had a puller hidden from sight). He pulled 'till he was blue, without success. His friend was watching and asked if he could try (he's about 6'-2" and 240-lbs). He sat down in the seat, grabbed the wheel and pulled it off without a grunt. I laughed and said, "well, I guess we won't need this", as I put the puller away.

 

[CharlieS]

Looks like it's held in place with 2 bolts. Are you getting rid of the setup? I may be interested in all components.

View attachment 3355306

Thank you both.

I don't have any use for the cruise control bits and would gladly pass them along. I only recently bought the 80, and didn't try the cruise control, so the condition is uncertain. The FSM has a test procedure for the motor, so I could verify that.

By the way, I took it off because this is a trail rig. I've removed cruise, abs, lspv, radio, carpet, roof rack, flares, intake heimholtz muffler, all interior panels, console, storage box, second and third row seats. Most of it won't be reinstalled.

 

[western flyer]

We had a laugh while doing this. I asked my son to pull it off by hand (I had a puller hidden from sight). He pulled 'till he was blue, without success. His friend was watching and asked if he could try (he's about 6'-2" and 240-lbs). He sat down in the seat, grabbed the wheel and pulled it off without a grunt. I laughed and said, "well, I guess we won't need this", as I put the puller away.

I had something similar happen to me. I got out the newly purchased puller ready to set it up to pull my steering wheel as part of exchanging the existing wheel for one with a new wrap. I gave the wheel very modest tug as a half-hearted attempt to remove it by hand first and it came right off. That puller has never been used. I am about the same size as your son's friend...

 

[CharlieS]

I couldn't see the screws in a quick look, so after marking the 12 o'clock position with a paint pen, I popped the steering wheel off and removed the four screws holding the switch assembly in place, then removed it from the shaft to se what I was working with.

There are two philips head screws on the back that hold the cruise stalk on the assembly for the other switches. Once removed, the cruise control switch was free.

However... it is still attached to the wiring harness. I traced the wire bundle under the wheel to a connector that looks like it is shared with other wires. I couldn't easily see how to release the connector, so I left it alone until I do some more research (or someone here shares a tip).

It looks like I need to unplug that connector, and depin the cruise control wires, but that's just a guess.

Or cut the wires, which I'd rather not do.

 

[Malleus]

It will unplug. No need to perform any surgery.

 

[CharlieS]

Just got it off.

For ease of access, I removed the trim panel below the steering wheel.

The combination switch has two connectors plugged into the back of it, with the standard push to release tabs.

Then remove the combo switch connector from two metal tabs on the column assembly by pulling straight downward (no force required).

De-pin the three cruise wires. Flip the two locking bars up (as shown in the FSM) and insert a depinning tool from the pin side while pulling gently on the wire. Flip the locking bars closed.

As the Chiltons manual used to say: "assembly is the reverse of removal".