I recently bought my first vehicle, a 96 Buick Regal Custom.
Turn signals and brake lights won't come on, everything else works though (headlights, taillights, hazard flashers).
Checked Bulbs and fuses, all were fine. Read online that these symptoms are commonly caused by the turn signal switch (the part inside the steering column, not the lever deal) going bad. Went and picked up a new one at NAPA for around 50 bucks and was thinking about doing it myself, but I couldn't find any tutorials. Mechanic wants 200 bucks to do it, I can't really afford that for a while.
From what I've read/seen, many GM cars from this era have very similar dash/steering column setups.
I haven't done a whole lot of work on cars, just some fiddling under the dash (VATS was giving me trouble).

So.. for replacing the turn signal Switch on a 96 Buick Regal..
Has anyone here done this?
How difficult would this be?
Do I need any special tools? Probably my biggest concern. I currently just have a socket set with a couple different driver heads.
Are there any additional cautions I need to take with the airbag other than pulling the airbag fuse/disconnecting the battery?
Am I better off paying 200 bucks to have someone do it? Or is it easy enough for someone with low-to-moderate mechanical/technical understanding to pull off?

It really shouldn't be too difficult, but a Chilton's manual is a good reference and generally worth the little bit it costs imo.

Most of the process shouldn't take anything more than a screw driver once you get the plastic housing around the column open. Just remember not to force anything.

If the airbag fuse is out and the battery is unhooked, you've got zero risk of anything going wrong there, but I don't really think that should be an issue anyway. Just remember where everything goes and how it goes there and reassemble it correctly.

And no, it's absolutely not worth 200 bucks. If any mechanic quoted you that, he should be punched repeatedly, and you should ask a different mechanic if you decide not to do it yourself.

This post was edited by gusdidit on Aug 15 2013 11:18pm

Id just say take it apart and learn as you go
My buddy just did the same thing in his late 90s sonoma
He said it was a bit of a bitch cuz small plastic parts, clips n shit. But wasnt too bad.

As for tools, i think you will be ok. A flat head and a pair of needle noes will probably be ur best friend.
I havent done this personally, but its not something id pay someone 200 bucks for. I hate paying $60+ an hour perioud though lol

Yeah, I thought that number was a bit high..
Thanks for the input guys.

be glad yours is that cheap. one for my wifes 01 buick regal is over 400 bucks. her cruise control is fucked up if you have the switch in the "on" position the slightest bump against it (and sometimes no contact at all) and the car will engage cruise control and absolutely floor it. i can get it to work without running away but my wife leaves it in the "off" position

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Windshield-Wiper-Switch//R-ECHDL60990372794483 $$452.29

This post was edited by JDH on Aug 16 2013 04:18pm

Yeah, we had an 03 Rendezvous with a similar cruise control configuration. I put that one in the file for "Buick's Worst Design Ideas".

its really nothing special it looks like the one that was in my 00 s10 and similar to the one in my 99 camaro. idk what makes it so special but it surprised the guy at the chevy dealership when i called for a price on one. he said i hope youre sitting down lol. i told him i didnt need one that badly

So I'm having issues getting the steering wheel off, been yanking on the cocksucker for about 45 minutes now.
Got the airbag disabled and removed, and the bolt locking the wheel in place removed.
Is there a smart/easy way to do it without a puller? (going to try to get one tonite if not)

Steering wheel comming off?? Is that needed???

Take the plastic off that surrounds the shaft. Should be there

does this answer your question?