Write-Up: Mulitfunction Switch / Stalk

Write up: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/interior-f20/write-up-mulitfunction-switch-stalk-t3962-15.htm#49351

Came out of IHOP from getting breakfast this morning and went to wipe the window with the wipers and got nothing. It worked on the way there but I'm getting nothing now.

The cruise control works and the wipers work when I push it with the washer fluid but not when I just turn it.

I also checked the fuse earlier when it happend and there is only 1 fuse i can see for the wipers and its fine...

Still not working afterwork with rain on the way home...was fun.

Time for Rain-X!

What the heck did you do to your electricals, dude?

its gotta be the switch. Mine has been going out for like a year or two now.

they work, but the intermitent feature kinda does what it wants when it wants.

if you replace it, do a write up. That is kinda keeping me from doing mine just to fix it.

dreww wrote:

its gotta be the switch. Mine has been going out for like a year or two now.

they work, but the intermitent feature kinda does what it wants when it wants.

if you replace it, do a write up. That is kinda keeping me from doing mine just to fix it.

I had it replaced yesterday. It was the multifunction switch.

It only took almost a year for me to have it done. I don't drive the car much in the winter and never in the snow so I didn't feel the need to get it replaced plus waited till I found the switch on ebay for $45 shipped instead of the $600 the dealership wanted.

Going to be weird driving with windshield wipers again...

Next time anyone sees the multifunction switch for $50, pm me or I will find you and bite off your balls!

SpaceBar - any chance I can get in on that deal?

There is one on ebay right now for like $50

Its actually gone now but I purchased mine from Ed Morad on ebay.

this is next on my "repairs" list.
fenderwell trim
seat bezel
multifunction switch.


so how hard was it to replace SpaceBar?

dreww wrote:

this is next on my "repairs" list.
fenderwell trim
seat bezel
multifunction switch.


so how hard was it to replace SpaceBar?

I didn't do it myself. I had some else play around there. Took about 3 hours I believe for him.

I paid about $240 including the part and labor. Cheaper than the dealer who wanted $600+ for the part and gmpartdirect.com that was about $350 just for the part.

SpaceBar wrote:

dreww wrote:

this is next on my "repairs" list.
fenderwell trim
seat bezel
multifunction switch.


so how hard was it to replace SpaceBar?

I didn't do it myself. I had some else play around there. Took about 3 hours I believe for him.

I paid about $240 including the part and labor. Cheaper than the dealer who wanted $600+ for the part and gmpartdirect.com that was about $350 just for the part.

damn, I was hoping it was just a harness - unclip, replace, and click.

but that would just be too easy.

Link

A little more pricey than my $45 one but at $260 its still better than anything else I have seen. I think it might be new too? I got mine used..

I lucked out and got an NOS one on Ebay a year ago for $49. Sure looks nice with all the lettering intact. Saving it for a rainy day.

It's not an easy job, but it needs doing on almost every Riv and PA I've come across. A crappy design somehow. I don't know how GM screwed this one up, they've been using the same dumb multifunction switch for ages.

Mine multi-functions perfectly, lol. Just has lots of lettering rubbed off.

yeah i thought that was my problem, cause my headlights would not come. a trip to the local junkyard and i found a headlight control module and the connectors casue mine were burnt up. lets see trip to my favorite junkyard $5 in gas. to enter the junkyard $1. to search for a '96 riv only 2 hours. time it took to get all the parts off 5 min. price for the parts 5 finger discount. the happiness on my face when i headlights came on PRICELESS!!!!!!

but seriously though check the wiper motor, cause if everything else works on the switch then it shouldn't be bad....

by the way you guess need the switch shoot me an email. i'll run to my favorite junkyard and snatch the part for a fee of course. they have a 95, 96, and 97 riv. the 97 riv was untouched when i went there 2 weeks. i seen then bagging it off the tow truck.

'96reese wrote:

but seriously though check the wiper motor, cause if everything else works on the switch then it shouldn't be bad....

Everything else worked on mine except the wipers. When I had the switch replaced it all works perfect now.

No wonder they call it the MF switch...

Mine works fine, but I wonder if it was replaced before I got the car. I test drive a '97, back in 2000, that had a MF switch same coor as the interior - and it was already crappy. The 98 I bought had a black switch.

Hey, by the way, has GM ever made an MF switch with the lettering illuminated? If so which car - maybe a Caddy?

Albertj

I wonder if the switch is why my cruise control doesn't work. Luckily the riv holds speed pretty easily , unfortunately with my foot on the pedal constantly , its hard not to gain speed quickly , so gas mileage goes down.

A technician (definitely a dealer or sometimes major service chain like Firestone or Goodyear ) with a Tech II scan tool can run diagnostics on the cruise control and tell you pretty quick if the switch or something else is most likely the problem. Reason is the Riv does not have a mechanical cruise control per se. It is controlled in one of the car's computers, I think the ECU but I am not sure.

Albertj

i'm going to my favorite junkyard this sat to see if i can find a window regulator for my uncle's caddi. i'll snatch a couple of them multifunction switches. it's not that hard to take off. once you get the steering wheel cover off i believe there sre 2 small torex bit screws and 2 connectors and thats it. last time i was there i seen a 97, 96, and 95 riv....pm me and i'll snatch them for you. of course you guys pay for shipping and a small fee for me.

What multifunction turn singal swtich are compatable with are cars? Dealer price way to much. my wiper and cruise control don't work. Is it easy to change? 1996 riv

don't go cheap on that piece. It's no fun to do again. Don't know if napa lists it but I'd go there before AZ.

I don't know that you can get it besides the dealer, or get lucky on Ebay, or try gmpartsdirect.com or RockAuto.com They are very expensive, and a PITA from what I've read. I got lucky and got a new one on Ebay for $49. GM list is out of sight.