HELP: Removing steering wheel cowling

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:07 am

I want to get at the wiring on the headlight stalk so I can ascertain which is the main beam switch feed to the relay and tap off from it for the spotlamp relay. I found three retaining screws underneath the steering wheel colum and undid these and the cowling was then free but trapped by the steering wheel. My workshop manual shows the cowling as splitting into a top and bottom half (and I could see a very neat join line on it too) but the two halves didn't seem to want to split easily. I guess they must yield to a properly applied levering force but how to do it without breaking or marking anything, thats the thing.

Anyone had experience of removing one of these things. What's more, will it then give me clear access to the lighting stalk wiring connections.

Any advice appreciated & thanks chums.

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:17 am

Does dropping the steering wheel down with the adjuster allow the top to come free once the screws are undone?

bongo rbk · Post by **bongo rbk** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:23 am

Just has 3 screws underneath, 1 of which is behind the lever for adjusting the steering wheel. then just pulls apart.

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:30 am

If I remember right.

I think the problem was the lower cowl resting on the ignition barrel, if you where to just pull the cowls apart. I reckon I would of pulled the whole cowl over a little, (towards the drivers door) to get over the ignition and pulled apart with fingers in the hole (

) for the stalk. Oh and the steering wheel was also lowered as much as possible, first.

Bare in mind this from my poor memory, as never thought of taking a mental note whilst doing it, and I've done it a few times now.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:37 am

Thanks for the replies - already a great help as it confirms there is no magic to it, apart maybe from adjusting steering wheel position. You just have to prise the buggers apart.

Anyone's dim memory recall if the lighting stalk wiring intestines are then not far away from being laid bare and accessible?

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:39 am

The two halves of the cowling can be prised apart using just your fingers & thumbs mike,a little lateral persuasion helps here too.

I dont Think the wiring can be seen with just the cowling removed mike,not without removal of the stalks.... I stand to be corrected on this,you may be able to see the wires from below, (with cowling removed)But, i couldn't swear to it.

R.e. the link to the lush projects diagram posted by Missfixit...What the hell is part no 60-246? it appears to be just a grommet, but for why?

It looks suspiciously like a blank for an option for a button release to remove the ignition key,as fitted to some older nissans?

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:44 am

Says it's "lens, column cover", whatever that is? Fuctifino

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:51 am

Me neither...They keep us guessing these bongo's....

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:29 pm

bigdaddycain wrote:The two halves of the cowling can be prised apart using just your fingers & thumbs mike,a little lateral persuasion helps here too.

I dont Think the wiring can be seen with just the cowling removed mike,not without removal of the stalks.... I stand to be corrected on this,you may be able to see the wires from below, (with cowling removed)But, i couldn't swear to it.

R.e. the link to the lush projects diagram posted by Missfixit...What the hell is part no 60-246? it appears to be just a grommet, but for why?

It looks suspiciously like a blank for an option for a button release to remove the ignition key,as fitted to some older nissans?

Thanks BDC. Sounds like I might do better finding where teh mainbeam switch wire meets the headlight mainbeam relay and trying there, even though it then means a much longer run of wire back to the dashboard switch

BongoMTBer · Post by **BongoMTBer** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:39 pm

When I had mine apart, that lens cover thingy looked like it was for illuminating where the key goes. I am about to fit a bulb there, wired into interior lights as the lumi strip fitted is as good as useless. Will let you know how it goes.

As for access to the wires for the full beam, I cannot remeber the colours, but with a multimeter and a process of eliminiation I worked out which it was. It is in the large connector block at the top of the column, and I use it to switch a relay for my spots.

BongoMTBer · Post by **BongoMTBer** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:41 pm

Oh, and rather than cutting it I just cheated and used a scotch connector as it will not be carrying much current.