How do you replace turn signal switch for 1997 Lincoln town car?

Answer 1

I just did this and it is not that difficult. In my case, all the other functions of the turn signal multi-switch worked such as the wipers, the high beams and the emergency flasher lights. However, when I brought the turn signal switch up or down to activate turn signals, nothing happened. There were no arrows on the dash and neither turn signal worked on the outside (front or back were out).

First I checked the number one 15 amp fuse under the dash and that checked out, so I ruled that out as a cause. I was told that it either had to be the multi-switch turn signal unit or the Light Control Module or LCD which is under the dash to the right of the accelerator pedal. If this was the LCD, this would involve a lot of money. I also obtained information on the internet that if my emergency flashers were working, it was probably just the multi turn signal switch. The cheapest one I found was a 1AAuto.com for $48.00 and it was an exact duplicate with the chrome stalk.

Now to the installation. First, disconnect the negative lead on the battery. Next, I lowered the steering wheel to the lowest position and removed the lever by just unscrewing it off. Then I placed the key in the ignition and put it on the on position without turning the engine over. This must be done to remove the ignition lock cylinder needed to remove the upper cover or shroud so you can have access to the turn signal multi switch. With the ignition in the on position, you can place a sharp instrument like a long awl into the hole in the bottom plastic cover that does not have a screw in it. By pushing in with the awl, this pushes in the metal button on the ignition lock cylinder and permits the ignition lock cylinder to be simply pulled out.

With the ignition lock cylinder removed, you are now ready to remove the top and bottom plastic covers or shrouds. There are three screws on the bottom cover that screw the bottom cover to the top cover. I removed them with a long Phillips screwdriver and placed the three screws on a magnetic tray so I would not lose them.

With the three screws removed you can now remove the bottom plastic cover first (the easiest one to remove). After the bottom cover is removed, you remove the top plastic cover or shroud. This is a little trickier since you must slip it over the gear shift. With patience, it can be done.

With both covers completely off, you have complete access to the turn signal multi switch cover. It is held on to the steering column by two 7mm screws, one on the top and one on the bottom. You can see the two Black hex head screws if you look from the drivers side to the passenger side of the car. Remove them with a 7mm socket on an extension and a ratchet. Place the two screws in a magnetic tray or plastic bag so you do not lose them.

With the two screws removed, you can lift the turn signal switch out. The switch has a wire harness on towards the bottom and two connected to each other on the top. I removed the lower wire harness first. There are two tabs holding it on the switch so I used a presicion screwdriver and carefully lifted up the two gray tabs and pulled out the wire socket harness and placed it on the new switch so I would not get confuse which wire harness sockets go where.

Then I removed the two connected top wire harness sockets on the old switch by lifting up the two gray tabs on this one and put them on the new switch. After the wiring harness sockets were on the new switch, I screwed the new switch onto the steering column using the two 7mm hex screws. Re-connect the negative lead to the battery, then put the ignition cylinder lock back in by just pushing it back in, put the key in and check if the directionals work. Mine did so the problem was indeed the switch. I took the ignition cylinder lock out again, which must be done to place the top and plastic covers back. You may want to disconnect the negative on the battery again, so you don't keep hearing the dinging sound.

With the ignition cylinder out again, slip the top plastic shroud over the gear shift and wiggle it back in (this takes patience). Once you have the top shroud in its proper position, put the bottom shroud back and connect it to the top shroud with the three screws. There is one screw on the left or drivers side and two on the right or passenger side. Screw back in the steering wheel positioning lever on the drivers side. Depending upon your skill, this should take about an hour to do.