95 Escort Steering Wheel removal/Hazard Problem
 

My neighbour has a 95 Escort diesel van.

The Hazard button smokes when he pressses it so he wants to swop out the switch module but can't get the steering wheel off. He immediaitely ran up against the "airbag problem".

First off, Does he have to remove the steering wheel to get the sitch assembly off?

If not how does the switch module come off the column?

If YES, how please? From looking here briefly it seems like removing two screws on the back of the wheel then remove the air bag - Leaving the battery disconnected for an hour before hand to stop the air bag activating. But model year for this advice was not stated.

Any tips on fixing the specific problem appreciated.

Thanks....

I doubt he has to remove the wheel, though no doubt would be easier, but not familiar with this age that well, just undo screws holding cowelling around column and see if they come away, the airbag is normally held with two torx screws from the rear of the air bag itself, 5 minutes is plenty to wait, just don't turn on the ignition whilst the air bag is disconnected if you have to disconnect it, this can throw a fault up and need resetting, again not 100% on your van.
Once wheel/cowelling out of the way, just usually two screws to undo, then undo plugs is all that's needed.
The hazzard switch can be fixed easy, and free, it's obviously jammed like so many are, as people never exercise them, but they are a dead simple arrangement to fix, cleaning out after dismantling with wd40 or similar, dry out, lube with furniture polish containing silicone, or beeswax is best if you have some, put back together, will be ok for another 10 years at least, but they need working every so often.
tabetha