I recently purchased a 1988 Mazda RX-7 GTU that I need to have inspected in Texas, and the wipers currently only working in the "low" speed. I have found several very helpful articles in this forum but am struggling to get the wiper switch removed from the cluster switch panel. Here's the articles I found on various threads:

• FC3S Pro v2.0:&nbsp How-To - Fixing RX7 2nd Gen Wiper Switch
• https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generati...saster-833548/

I have been able to do the following -- NOTE that my GTU does NOT have the "tilt" steering wheel and does NOT have a cruise control.

1. Removed the cluster switch panel -- 5 screws total (3 up top and 2 below). The cluster switch panel pulls out easily.
2. Removed the wiper switch buttons -- all 3 were pulled off of the wiper switch without any issues.
3. Removed the 2 screws for the wiper switch (one at the top of the wiper switch and one down below on the bottom side of the cluster switch panel)
4. Again, note that there is no cruise control assembly in the way
5. Disconnected the wiring harness from the backside of the wiper switch (there is only one connector)

I cannot get the wiper switch out of the cluster switch panel. I am concerned about forcing it too hard as I do not want to break the plastic housing for the cluster switch panel.

I also removed the bottom plastic piece that covers the steering column (4 screws). The bottom piece came off, and I was able to move the top piece out of the way so I could pull the cluster switch panel out a bit more.

Any suggestions/hints would be appreciate! I had an '87 Sport back in the day and am eager to get the '88 out on the road.

Is there another screw holding the wiper switch in place that I cannot see? It is very difficult to see the backside clearly.

It also looks like there is a beveled edge on the wiper switch (the switch on the bottom that controls the wipers) that is hanging on hole where it sits in the cluster switch panel.

Thanks, Brad

Here's a pic of the wiper switch; you can see the "lip" that's hanging on the wiper switch at the bottom.

 

Unplug the turn signal and headlight switch on the other side and then work with that on the bench. It's going to come right out then, only need to use a little care where the bottom **** was.

 

Just realized that I forgot to say that indeed there is another screw on the backside. You'll see it once you get the whole thing out.

 

Thanks for the feedback Jerry! I was able to disconnect all 4 connectors which did free up the cluster panel. Unfortunately, I was not able to navigate around the steering wheel. All of the articles/posts I have found related to replacing the wiper switch are by owners that have a tilt steering wheel. For those, tilting the wheel as low as it will goes appears to work ([provides enough space to get the cluster panel out). I did pull the front off of my steering wheel (3 screens); I also had to disconnect the wire for the horn -- this was easy. I was also able to remove the center bolt that holds the steering wheel in place.

I was not able to "pull" the steering wheel off as this guy did on his RX-7:
I've watched several YouTube videos regarding using a steering wheel puller on other cars. It appears to be rather straightforward.

Does anyone have a recommendation on a steering wheel puller that would work well for an 1988 RX-7?

Are there any concerns with using a steering wheel puller? I am not opposed to doing things myself and have more successes than failures. But there have been projects that ended up costing me more cuz I broke something and had to pay a pro to fix it.

Here's a pic of my steering wheel -- unfortunately, I did not take a pic while I had the front section pulled off. My phone would not focus, but you get the idea. The horn is in the very center.

 

Been a long time since I've removed a stock steering wheel that had been in place likely since the car was manufactured. By my experience was steady rocking at 12 and 6, followed by 9 and 3. It will come off, it just needs to be persuaded.