99 Boxster - Steering Column Switch Stalk replacement

[LemmyCaution]

OK - the left turn indicator started sticking and the right turn signal wouldn't 'stick' so, I ordered a new 4 - stalk assembly.

Years ago, I added OBC to the car so I'm familiar with the process.

This time though, I had a problem. Before removing the airbag control unit, I taped it so that it wouldn't lose orientation. Upon reassembling, I forgot to remove the tape from the 'airbag control unit' AND worse, for some reason the wheel doesn't tighten down as close to the stalk assembly as before.

After buttoning everything up and testing, I turned the wheel right, then left with resistance and bad, (really bad) noises.

Upon removing the airbag assembly, I discovered that I had severed the horn/airbag connections at the connector to the black airbag control unit.

I disconnected the airbag unit - ordered another from Sunset and put things back together. Now, I have no horn, no airbag, a steering wheel that is sitting about 1/4 inch too far out from the instrument panel and makes a clicking noise when turned to the left.

Everything else is just perfect.

My assumption is that somehow, I did not seat the stalk assembly correctly and that it is keeping the steering wheel from snugging down as close to the assembly as it should.

Does anyone have any wisdom/experience to share before I ruin a brand new airbag control unit?

Edited September 4, 2008 by LemmyCaution

[Glyn]

When you installed the 4 stalk unit you have not located in the right position, All you need to do is measure the excess gap you reffer to, strip down to the securing bolt on the stalk unit and slide it towards the steering wheel to reduce the gap - once you have the fit you want just tighten up the locking nut on the stalk unit.

The horn and the airbag - Make sure the two plastic snap connectors are properly clipped together (think one is orange the other Blue- anyway two distinctly different colours)

If this is all correct then its the connections to the horn earth and general earth wires - with the airbag unit removed clean up the two earthing connectors that the short brown (i think) and the long Black cable connect to - make sure they are a good fit - Your horn and airbag feed will then return.

BTW - you dont need to tape the spring unit as it cant fall apart - although i know it looks like it will, and it cant rotate because of the spring catch that the steering wheel boss pushes over to unlock.

Indeed, there is no spring in the spring unit - all it is is a long data cable simply wound around quite a few times.

Also, you dont need to replace the unit because you break the two plastic locating pins as they are only present to turn the spring unit top assembly with the steering wheel, without them the connector where the wires come through the elongated hold in the steering wheel boss simply moves the spring assembly top around

This is all a very simple job, dont worry

Edited September 4, 2008 by Glyn

[LemmyCaution]

Thanks for the great reply - I figured out as much last night while I had insomnia. The new Airbag/horn unit arrives in the morning - I'll tackle this then.

Looking down through the windscreen, it's obvious that the stalk unit is sitting too far out on the column and that I was in too much of a hurry to notice before I buttoned things up.

Thanks again.

[LemmyCaution]

Thanks for the great reply - I figured out as much last night while I had insomnia. The new Airbag/horn unit arrives in the morning - I'll tackle this then.

Looking down through the windscreen, it's obvious that the stalk unit is sitting too far out on the column and that I was in too much of a hurry to notice before I buttoned things up.

Thanks again.

FOLLOW Up:

For some reason, I thought that the stalk assembly should be pushed back closer to the instrument panel. The opposite is the case.

Again thanks - all is well again with my 9yr old Boxster. What a great car!

[Glyn]

Thanks for the great reply - I figured out as much last night while I had insomnia. The new Airbag/horn unit arrives in the morning - I'll tackle this then.

Looking down through the windscreen, it's obvious that the stalk unit is sitting too far out on the column and that I was in too much of a hurry to notice before I buttoned things up.

Thanks again.

FOLLOW Up:

For some reason, I thought that the stalk assembly should be pushed back closer to the instrument panel. The opposite is the case.

Again thanks - all is well again with my 9yr old Boxster. What a great car!

Thats what the forum is for, we all have experiences and we all can help each other