ssbowtie1

iTrader: (16)

I need to replace the steering column from a 95 and I have a spare one with keys from a 96.

My question is, if I replace the whole column with the ignition switch from the 96 into the 95, can I use the same key or will I have to get a replacement key made with the pellet from the 95? Basically is the VATS incorporated in the wiring of the steering column, or in the PCM?

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

I think the PCM is what reads the Chip..next question would be is the wiring on the 1996 compatible with the 1995..that was the changeover year..

ssbowtie1

iTrader: (16)

Good question unfortunately without wiring diagrams there's no way for me to tell except just looking at the connectors, which seem similar.

The reason I'm doing all of this is because the person that had the 95 previously broke the high beam assembly and the cover is off, so I'm unsure of the extent of the damage.

I suppose the best thing to do is take off the SIR and see if I can repair the high beam assembly. Otherwise I"ll have to swap the 95 wiring into the 96 column, which looks to be a huge PITA.

Anyone have experience with this?

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

How bad is the assembly broken? To my knowledge it's a little box that a Rod goes into..you remove it when you change the Ignition Switch.

ssbowtie1

iTrader: (16)

Maybe its repairable, any howto's on r&r the ignition switch?

shbox

Yes. http://shbox.com/ignsw/ign_switch_repl.html


If you change the whole column, the pellet in the new key will not likely match the old one. So, you would need to get a new key cut with the pellet value of your old key and the cylinder profile of the new key. Or you could do a resistor bypass for the pellet. Or you could swap the key cylinder, so that the old key would fit.

bigj2717

iTrader: (15)

I had to replace my column in my car and I just switched the ignition switch so I didn't have to mess with the vats

ssbowtie1

iTrader: (16)

Thanks everyone for the help. Can anyone shed some light on using a 96 column on a 95 car? Will the wiring work with the exception of VATS?

It seems easier to just swap the columns and bypass the VATS than to deal with all the dissasembly required to repair the stalk.

ssbowtie1

iTrader: (16)

Well I took both columns apart and from what I can see the plugs are all the same. One of the plugs looks to have some different shades of the same color, but I'm not sure that matters.

The colors of the wires on the plugs connected to the body wiring harness are different, but that shouldn't matter.

I'll plug everything in and update if there are any issues, like the airbag blowing up in my face

shbox

I doubt that they are functionally different.

ssbowtie1

iTrader: (16)

So all I need to do is bypass the VATS with the resister from the old key and use the new key and everything should be fine on the VATS side correct?

shbox

Yep, except you won't have any protection from the VATS.

ssbowtie1

iTrader: (16)

I could just go to the dealer and get a new key made, but in all honesty, is the VATS a worthwile protection?

Spartan7

iTrader: (7)

That's up to you, but for me it was.

Why don't you just take the ignition cylinder out of your old column and put it in the new one?

Or you can take your old key and the new key to the dealer and have them cut you a new one. It will be keyed to the 96 column, but have the pellet for your 95 BCM.