Topic: 1979 T/A Steering Column swap issue

[Airforrest]

Guys, I have a 79' T/A with a standard column. I recently bought a totally rebuilt tilt column for it, but when I went to put it in, I noticed the the ignition switch was different, and also noticed that on the Black harness, the wiring was different also :-(. On the other 79' which the tilt came from, the black plug had a brown wire/wht stripe, a green, orange, and red. The car im putting it in has the red, a tan, and the orange/brown with the wht stripe together in the plug. Do I have to change the entire dash harness to put this tilt column in?

[b_hill_86]

Any idea what year the column is from? I have little answer for you except a service manual might help if you know what year the column is from.

[Stringer]

Maybe someone could confirm based upon your description of the wiring harness....but if it from a firebird it is probably 78 or older. The only change I am aware of is the dimmer switch. From 70-78 it was in the floor. From 79-81 the dimmer switch is incorporated with the turn signal.  A long rod extends from the turn signal to a dimmer switch located on the column toward the base.

Does it have the dimmer switch and rod configuration? If it doesn't, it is the wrong configuration for your 79. You may be able to switch the wiring harness if you are able to mount the dimmer switch on the column.

[Maxthe222]

Dimmer switch on the turn signal? Do you mean that knob on the dash bezel?

[Stringer]

No...I mean.....the turn signal lever in the column, not only moves up and down to operate the turn signals, but it also rocks back and forward to operated the dimmer switch. A metal rod runs from the turn signal unit (at the steering wheel) to the dimmer switch mounted on the column (toward the base).

The wiring harness for the 79 steering column has the dimmer switch wiring bundle. Older firebirds had the dimmer switch in the floor (in the upper left corner). So, the column for older years did not have the wiring for the dimmer switch (that would be under the dash for the older years).

The following site you may find useful. While it does not directly answering your question it provides very valuable information on how these birds (pun intended) are wired. https://firebirdtransamparts.com/techinfo/harness/harness.htm  (don't overlook the "options" link at the very bottom of the page)

[Maxthe222]

What does it dim? The headlights? On mine bringing it back and forth turns on the high beams

[Wallington]

Sounds like the same thing.

[b_hill_86]

Dimmer switch aka high/low beam switch. Early years on the floor. 78 or 79-81 on the column. I think you’re thinking dimmer as in dimming dash lights.

[Stringer]

Yes, high/low beam. LOL  Sorry for the confusion.

[Maxthe222]

Lol here I thought I had something missing or wrong on my car

[Airforrest]

My issue was...I took a tilt column w/o cruise from a 79' T/a I have, sent it off to be rebuilt, came back great. Went to take the original straight column out of my other 79', and before I installed the tilt in that one, I noticed on the black plug that goes into the ignition switch had a different wiring setup, than my other 79', as far as the colors going into it. Decided to hold off on the swap for now, thought it would be easier. didnt want to mess anything up with the existing wiring harness.