How to Change the Turn Signal Switch: 1997 and up XJ
I didn't see a write-up on replacing the turn signal switch so I made one.
Symptoms:
My hazard lights would not work when the switch was activated.
When activating a left hand turn signal, the hazard flashers would go on.
On occasion, nothing would go on when the left turn signal was activated.
Solution:
Time for a new switch. This is a very common issue on 97+ XJ's. I got my switch from ebay for $40 shipped.
Tools:
T-15 Torx bit
Phillips screw driver
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
If you have a tilt steering wheel, adjust the steering wheel to the top position.
Remove the 3 screws on the bottom of the plastic shroud with a Phillips screwdriver. Two are in front, one is way in the back on the ignition side.
Remove the bottom half of the plastic shroud.
If you have a tilt steering wheel, adjust the steering wheel to the bottom position.
Remove the top half of the plastic shroud.
Remove the 3 screws that hold the rubber dust guard using the T-15 Torx bit. There are two on top and one on the bottom (on the turn signal side of the column).
The tilt adjust lever blocks the removal of the turn signal switch so you will have to remove the cable from the adjster so that you can rotate the adjuster out of the way.
There are 2 electrical connectors, remove the top one first - I used a screw driver to depress the connector lock and pulled the top wiring harness out.
Then remove the bottom electrical connector. I had to move the turn signal switch towards the roof so that the wiring harness could be removed. In the picture - they red bracket prevents the yellow part of the wiring harness from pulling out completely. Raise the switch and the harness will clear the red portion of the other component.
Remove the old switch. Put in the new switch. Installation is exactly the reverse of removal.
I didn't see a write-up on replacing the turn signal switch so I made one.
Symptoms:
My hazard lights would not work when the switch was activated.
When activating a left hand turn signal, the hazard flashers would go on.
On occasion, nothing would go on when the left turn signal was activated.
Solution:
Time for a new switch. This is a very common issue on 97+ XJ's. I got my switch from ebay for $40 shipped.
Tools:
T-15 Torx bit
Phillips screw driver
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
If you have a tilt steering wheel, adjust the steering wheel to the top position.
Remove the 3 screws on the bottom of the plastic shroud with a Phillips screwdriver. Two are in front, one is way in the back on the ignition side.
Remove the bottom half of the plastic shroud.
If you have a tilt steering wheel, adjust the steering wheel to the bottom position.
Remove the top half of the plastic shroud.
Remove the 3 screws that hold the rubber dust guard using the T-15 Torx bit. There are two on top and one on the bottom (on the turn signal side of the column).
The tilt adjust lever blocks the removal of the turn signal switch so you will have to remove the cable from the adjster so that you can rotate the adjuster out of the way.
There are 2 electrical connectors, remove the top one first - I used a screw driver to depress the connector lock and pulled the top wiring harness out.
Then remove the bottom electrical connector. I had to move the turn signal switch towards the roof so that the wiring harness could be removed. In the picture - they red bracket prevents the yellow part of the wiring harness from pulling out completely. Raise the switch and the harness will clear the red portion of the other component.
Remove the old switch. Put in the new switch. Installation is exactly the reverse of removal.