"How To" Remove Indicator Stalk VT-VX *Detailed*

[Ozzie]

How to remove indicator/wiper stalk from a VT-VX.

For those of you who wish to change an indicator stalk or wiper stalk, I have written up this "how to" to show you the basics.

Tools Needed
* 1 x Philips Screwdriver


Step 1.
Pull the lever down on the bottom of the steering column and push down on the steering wheel. This will drop the steering column.



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Step 2.
Place your thumbs on both sides of the top plastic trims as shown in the images below.



Push in firmly with both thumbs and then push up. (you may hear a click sound)
The top plastic trim will lift up from the steering wheel side.



The trim will then slide out toward the steering wheel and lift out.



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Step 3.
With both hands either side of the fuse cover below, Pull out and down to drop the fuse cover.



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Step 4.
Looking from underneath the steering column, you will notice two (2) hooks at the steering wheel side of the bottom trim.
At the back you will notice one (1) screw.



With your philips screwdriver, undo the screw at the back of the bottom trim.



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Step 5.
With both hands either side of the bottom plastic trim, pull back toward the steering wheel until the trim is released from the two hooks underneath.
Once the trim is released it can be pulled downward and will come out.



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Step 6.
Looking at the stalk that you want to remove, There are two (2) clips (one (1) either side)



Undo these two (2) clips by holding your hand over them and pulling the stalk as pictured below.



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Step 7.
Looking at the stalk again, You will see another two (2) clips either side (one (1) each side) that are holding the wire connections to the stalk.



Unclip them and pull the wire connections off the stalk.



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Ok now your ready to install the new stalk.
Simply reverse all instructions listed above to re-install.

Please take note when re-installing, the hooks pictured below must match up between the top and bottom plastic trim.



Other Notes:
For this "how to" you will notice I have removed the wiper stalk.
The wiper stalk and the indicator/cruise stalk are exactly the same when it comes to removal/installation.

[rch-13z]

Nice writeup champ.... Will come in handy soon I think lol

[darren44]

great write up
every time I cancel my indicators at night it goes to high beam like when you do a friendly flash to warn others of a police radar.

[Rossi]

Thanx for the instructions, i high beam every car in front of me when my indicator cancels so this will come in handy to replace it..

[Ozzie]

Thanx for the instructions, i high beam every car in front of me when my indicator cancels so this will come in handy to replace it..

Its a very common problem.
Exactly why I wrote this thread.

Glad it helped

[Stretcher Bearer]

Great write-up!

Worked like a charm and saved me a packet. The stalk was $50 at a Holden Parts.

[CNsylvester]

I"ve searched and can't find a similar "how to" for VS.

My question is whether changing a VS would be much the same - in terms of popping off the top plastic cover with thumbs?

Regards

[CNsylvester]

ok, today I tackled my VS stalk replacement - I used the above info and I think the VS is slightly easier than other models. (I didn't have to touch the fuse area, just to the two plastic shrouds covering the steering column between the S/wheel and the dash)

#1 Phillips Screwdriver and a small precision standard screw driver
#2 Tilt steering wheel as low as poss
#3 Undo 5 phillips screws all underneath the column (you'll see the 5 screws if you look at the plastic shroud from underneath)
#4 Either use your thumbs as described earlier or I used my precision screwdriver and slid it along the plastic to separate the top from the bottom, I started at the area closest to the dash board and worked my may back, very gently and no force was necessary
#5 Lift top plastic up (mine wouldn't totally come out because the top was attached by vinyl to the area under the speedo, no issue thou)
#6 Move the bottom plastic slightly down and away from the ignition cyclinder (remove key!)
#7 So you should now have the top and bottom plastic open like a jaw but still largely hugging the column. Not as good as totally removing them, but it wasn't essential in my situation.
#8 Release the old stalk by pinching the retaining clips (Study your new one first to identity where these clips are)
#9 The stalk will then happily release from its position but still be attached by 3 wire harnesses
#10 release the two harnesses directly connected to the stalk, and then follow the extra thick wire under the the column and trace it as it crosses over to the left hand side of the column and release this connection using your precision screw driver
#11 Now that you have released the stalk from the 3 wiring harnesses, remove it and start to install the new one!

Before reassembling the plastic shrouds, TEST YOUR NEW STALK!

Reassemble is the same as above but here are some extra tips:

Once the stalk is in home and in position and wired up x3, start bringing the top and bottom plastic shrouds back together around the steering column, mine became a little tricky due to the long plastic securing lugs that are part of the inside (mounts) of the plastic shroud. Take your time. I kept giggling the plastic gently and they found their natural place by itself, once the the top and bottom were aligned, I reinstalled the screws and the rest is easy.

Hold the top and bottom together so there is no gap, check the rubber boot of both the new stalk and your windscreen wiper stalk are 'home' in their correct position and re- install the same 5 screws again and thats it!

[seshoo]

words...

Thanks for this mate, just changed my blinker indicator took 10 mins following this guide. I thought the steering wheel had to come off
you saved me a lot of time.

[mattman]

Another one saved

Word of warning though... either the price of the stalks has gone up or the price varies from dealer to dealer. I paid $97 (ouch) this morning for one, I'm sure I could have found it cheaper elsewhere but have neither the inclination to do so or the time (really wanted it done today, was only a matter of time before i got booked for the high beams).

Having said all that, the guide is fabulous and even a complete mechanical numpty like me had it completely swapped over in 15 minutes flat - the hardest part was just refitting the lower bit of trim (those clips are buggers).

[justagirl]

Me too Rossi well...should I say my car is highbeaming everyone!
Thanks Ozzie for the instructions...I have got the first part of the job done....just need to win that cheapy on ebay....wish me luck fellas!

[justagirl]

I have just realised that the stalk I am bidding has no cruise control...I never use it anyway...does anyone know if will I still be able to use this stalk? Is it safe to just leave the cruise wires unplugged do you think?
thanks.

[ruggj]

This is going to be very handy as i need to replace my stalk (it keeps randomly putting my high beams on, i've already been pulled over for it and asked to get it fixed).

Thanks heaps for the info Ozzie, and a well detailed guide.

[vxcalais_01]

I need to fix mine as well, i accidentally high beamed another Holden driver a week ago or so, eh had custom plates, im sure he had a feature car lol, looked the goods, but he passed me and thought i high beamed him, started slowing down to grease me off ! Gotta fix that stalk, with the cruise control, how much are they going for ?

[ruggj]

i got one for $45 bucks from carsrus, shouldn't be too long before i get it.

Got pulled over again this morning at about 4am about the high beams, the coppers said that they couldn't see a thing. They've given me til saturday to fix it now lol.

So to stop from trouble, my new fix is to put it on parkers when there are on comming cars, because the high beam doesn't go on while on parkers. really annoying still.

[Ozzie]

A temporary fix to the high beam issue is to remove the high beam fuse or globes.
I would strongly recommend replacing the stalk asap and re-installing the fuse or globes.

The prices of the stalks vary. I picked mine up new from a wreckers for $15
Holden prices vary from dealer to dealer. They also deal through WASP so if you cant find one and your local dealer doesnt have them in stock, click here to access WASP (World Automotive Surplus Parts).

[DeiCide]

Very nice How-To !
Just to let people know I got a 2nd-hand stalk perfect condition with cruise off eBay for $4.98, so its worth looking around, parts like that you can usually get for next to nothing.

[acarmody]

Awesome write-up. My damn indicator does't turn off when I turn right, left is fine but right . Will replace soon.

[TiMMy2410]

Does anyone know if you can put indicator stalks from the VX series 2 onwards on a Series 2 VT?

[JLRVXSS]

thanks for the write up. will come in handy. cheers

[jamiev90]

I can hear a constant clicking come from the indicator stalk, if i put a little pressure on it the clicking stops, come and goes every now and then but rather annoying when it is there, i assume all i'd need to do would be replace the indicator stalk?

[Ozzie]

Does anyone know if you can put indicator stalks from the VX series 2 onwards on a Series 2 VT?

Yes.......... You can.

[Ozzie]

I can hear a constant clicking come from the indicator stalk, if i put a little pressure on it the clicking stops, come and goes every now and then but rather annoying when it is there, i assume all i'd need to do would be replace the indicator stalk?

Is it a ticking sound asin your indicators are on?

or

Is it a clicking sound?

If its definetly comming from the stalk then does it only tick when you turn the wheel?
If so then its normal. its the same tick as when you straighten the wheel and the indicator turns off.

[jamiev90]

Indicators are definetely not on, light on the dash isn't going off either.

It is a clicking sound definetely coming from the stalk, it is mainly happening while driving straight i put a little bit of pressure on it and it stops the clicking its a rapid ticking

[DanVN]

Stalk is rooted, needs to be replaced, common problem in VT's, Very soon your highbeams will start flashing everytime you use your indicators, Then they get stuck on