Thanks for this post! Saved me a trip to the dealer.
Tools you'll need:
- T10 screwdriver to remove the turn signal stalk module.
- 7mm socket
- 6" extension
- 1/4" ratchet
- Trim tool (preferred) or wide flat head screwdriver
- Dialectic grease (you can use the 99c spark plug grease packets if you don't intend on ever buying any ever again)
Basically, remove the 3x 7mm screws on the steering wheel column. You will have to pull the telescoping up/down lever to allow access to one of the screws.
Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees, and there's a 2 hidden clips holding the top of the plastic surround to the bottom. Use a trim tool or a wide screw driver to pop the two clips. I did it with a trim tool and pulled down at the bottom of the turn and wiper stalks. That was enough force to free those front clips.
There are two more "clips" holding the top to the bottom surround. Just pull up a small bit (30 degrees ish) on the front of the top surround, and slide it forward. It's held in like a clamshell hinge. So no force really needed. Just pull and shake on the top surround until it comes loose.
The surrounds are now loose and don't need to be fully removed from the car (that would make the job harder).
There's now 2x screws holding the turn stalk module in. Use your T10 screw driver on the front facing 2 screws. Then to remove the module completely, slide/pull the module out towards the passenger door. Tada! Now you can do the rest on a workbench.
Flip the module over, and unscrew the two T10 screws. The control board should pop off. You'll now see the two metal prongs that slide and activate the electronics. They can come completely out since they float in there basically. Clean off all the dielectric grease from the prongs and the electronics board.
Reapply new dielectric grease to both the metal prongs and the board (and if you want I lightly bended the prongs away from the plastic it's on to get better contact with the electronics). Don't worry if it's a tad messy, but don't go overboard.
Now reassemble the module and put it back the same way you took it out. Test it before sealing up the steering column
The module internals you'll be cleaning and regreasing:
The module the slides out after unscrewing the two bolts. Note the surround clip location (there's one on the other side too): https://i.imgur.com/azoNDh0.jpeg
