New to Subaru... But not to Auto Repairs...

[rsm05sublegfixer]

My daughter just bought a 2005 Subaru Legacy and I will need some help ASAP in nailing down any posts/threads/youtubes/vids, etc. as well as procedures and/or required specialty tools having to do with the repair or swap of the steering wheel combination column switch.

Symptoms:

The right side combo lever (damned thing) will not actuate the on/off when the variable windshield wiper swivel barrel is twisted in ANY position to just run the wipers straight up and down (back and forth). However it does work when the right side lever is pulled toward the driver and it will shpritz windshield washer fluid and then wipe it clean several times when the center button on the right side column lever is pushed in.

To cut to the chase and narrow the repair learning curve, I just ordered a full set of 2005 Subaru Legacy OEM Shop Service Manuals via eBay and a brand new OEM entire replacement combo switch for this particular year/make/model. My kid will be leaving the state soon for her second graduate school and I will need to repair this problem ASAP before she leaves. If this were not the case, I would not be so impatient to get this repair done and bore you all to death with information that does not really belong in the Introductions Tab for this Forum. So if anybody out there has plowed this field already and can avoid the wasted effort it will take to chastise me for not tunneling through ten thousand posts to find precisely what I'm asking for...I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance for the information and an understanding of my dilemma.

--==Enjoy the Day!==--


"So Shines a Good Deed ...Upon a Weary World..."

[chuckthefuk]

I have never had the chance to deal with a new style legacy but if Subaru still kept the simplicity designs it should be as easy as.

Remove the steering column cover
Locate the switch and remove by bolts or screws.
Disconnect the electrical connections.

If Subaru did change the design then most likely you will have to remove part of the steering wheel which will require the removal of the air bag. \

Just throwing this out there. Oh and welcome to the SLi.

-Chuck

[rsm05sublegfixer]

Chuck! Thanks for the rapid comeback and encouragement on the idea of "simplicity". I have my fingers crossed and I won't tear into the project until the shop manuals arrive from eBay and I can safely navigate around the air bag issues without causing myself more headaches (literally) by accidentally setting them off. You are NOT the first person from Canada that has demonstrated on my behalf that you guys from the Great White North have got it all together.

To put it clinically, you have "Aggregated Your Fecal Material"

Thanks Again!

--==Bob==--

[chuckthefuk]

Heres your FSM :grin:

but to save you some time

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/8269/comboswitch.jpg

MY05 2005 Legacy (Model-Year-xx)
Factory Service Manual
FSM #1 = http://www.schnooze.com/files/legacy_ma ... mplete.pdf (http://www.schnooze.com/files/legacy_manual/Subaru%20Legacy%20MY05-09%20Service%20Manual%20Complete.pdf)

FSM #2 = http://www.schnooze.com/files/legacy_ma ... Manual.zip (http://www.schnooze.com/files/legacy_manual/Subaru%20Legacy%20US%20MY2005%20Complete%20Service%20Manual.zip)

Root = http://www.schnooze.com/files/legacy_manual/

-Chuck

[rsm05sublegfixer]

Now THAT is what makes FORUMS so cool...

Thanks for the links ...and based upon what I have seen...It looks doable without the necessity of a steering wheel puller and other exotic tools. I wanted to add some information I picked up from another Subaru Forum that echos your perfect information here as an image...but I have not figured out how to add the image to this follow-up post. Thanks again Chuck... I owe you the favor of taking your sick aunt to the mall, fixing your transmission and putting your 500 lb weight set up in your attic for all this speedy assistance. Thanks MAN!

--==Bob==--

[chuckthefuk]

I wanted to add some information I picked up from another Subaru Forum that echos your perfect information here as an image...but I have not figured out how to add the image to this follow-up post.

--==Bob==--

use http://www.imageshack.us its a free file uploading site. You don't have to register its completely free to upload.

use the picture.jpg tags

Oh and your welcome.

-Chuck

[ouch1011]

Ooh, me likey the FSM.

Not to hyjack the thread, but do you have (or know where) I could get one of those for the BD variety? Thanks

[Okin DaVanh]

look up D1giPhux on here. He had it in his signature.