99 Chevy Lumina I replaced the four way turn signal switch and when I went to put on the locking ring the steering column I can pull in and out a little bit is that normal still can't get washer on

under the hood locate the shift cable and take it off the shift link and turn the link counter clock wise until its locked in position then start the car you can adjust the linkage after this step

Sounds like the signal switch inside the steering column needs to be replaced. Probably has some burnt contacts.

Ignition Lock Cylinder REMOVAL & INSTALLATION NOTE: On 1974-76 models, equipped with A.C.R.S. perform the special procedure for removing the air cushion module from the steering wheel if necessary, prior to removing the lock cylinder. Standard Steering Column

1. Remove the steering wheel.
2. Remove the lockplate cover assembly.
3. After compressing the lockplate spring, remove the snapring from the groove in the shaft. CAUTION
   When the snapring is removed do not allow the shaft to slide out the bottom of the column.
   
4. Remove the lockplate, then slide the turn signal cam and the upper bearing preload spring off the upper steering shaft.
5. Remove the thrust washer from the shaft.
6. Remove the hazard warning switch from the column along with the turn signal lever.
7. Use the following procedure if the car is equipped with cruise control.
   1. Attach a piece of stiff wire to the connector on the cruise control switch harness.
   2. Gently pull the harness up and out of the column.
8. Remove the turn signal switch mounting screws.
9. Slide the switch connector out of the bracket on the steering column.
10. After freeing the switch wiring protector from its mounting, pull the turn signal switch straight up and remove the switch, switch harness and the connector from the column.
11. Turn the ignition switch to ON or RUN, then insert a small drift pin into the slot next to the switch mounting screw boss. Push the lock cylinder tab and remove the lock cylinder.
12. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure. Fig. 1: Ignition lock removal - standard column
    

Tilt Column

1. Remove the steering wheel.
2. Remove the rubber sleeve bumper from the steering shaft.
3. Using an appropriate tool, remove the plastic retainer.
4. Using a spring compressor, depress the upper steering shaft spring and remove the C-ring. Release the steering shaft lockplate, the horn contact carrier, and the upper steering shaft preload spring.
5. Remove the four screws which hold the upper mounting bracket, then remove the bracket.
6. Slide the harness connector out of the bracket on the steering column. Tape the upper part of the harness and connector.
7. Disconnect the hazard button and position the shift bowl in Park. Remove the turn signal lever from the column.
8. Use the following procedure for cars with cruise control.
   1. Remove the harness protector from the harness.
   2. Attach a piece of piano wire to the switch harness connector.
   3. Before removing the turn signal lever, loop a piece of piano wire and insert it into the turn signal lever opening. Using the wire, pull the cruise control harness out through the opening.
   4. Pull the rest of the harness up through and out of the column.
   5. Remove the guide wire from the connector and secure the wire to the column.
   6. Remove the turn signal level.
9. Pull the turn signal switch up until the end connector is within the shift bowl. Remove the hazard flasher lever. Allow the switch to hang.
10. Place the ignition key in the run position.
11. Depress the center of the lock cylinder retaining tab with a small prytool, then remove the lock cylinder. On some model remove the lock cylinder retaining screw. To install:
    
12. When assembling the lock cylinder, rotate the key to the stop position while holding the cylinder and push the cylinder in all the way.
13. Install the retaining screw on those models so equipped, and tighten to 40 inch lbs. (4.5 Nm).
14. Install all components in the reverse of the removal procedure order. Check switch for proper operation. Fig. 2: Installing ignition lock - tilt column
    

Turn Signal Switch REMOVAL & INSTALLATION CAUTION
Some models covered by this manual may be equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), which uses an air bag. Whenever working near any of the SRS components, such as the impact sensors, the air bag module, steering column, and instrument panel disable the SRS. Deville, Eldorado, Seville, and Fleetwood - Early Models

1. Disable the SIR system.
   1. On Deville and Fleetwood, remove the left lower sound insulator. On Eldorado and Seville, remove the left side sound insulator.
   2. Remove the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) and detach the yellow 2-way connector at the base of the steering column.
   3. Remove the steering wheel.
   4. Make sure the ignition switch is in the LOCK position to prevent the SIR coil assembly from going off-center.
2. Remove the SIR coil assembly retaining ring and the coil assembly. Allow the coil to hang freely. WARNING
   The SIR coil assembly will become off-center if the steering column is separated from the steering gear and is allowed to rotate or if the centering spring is pushed down, letting the hub rotate while the coil is removed from the column.
   
3. Remove the wave washer.
4. Use tool J-23653-C or equivalents, to depress the shaft lock, then remove and discard the shaft lock retaining ring.
5. Remove the shaft lock.
6. Remove the turn signal canceling cam assembly.
7. Remove the upper bearing spring, upper bearing inner race seat and inner race.
8. Move the turn signal switch to the RIGHT TURN position.
9. On Deville, Fleetwood, and 1990 Eldorado, and Seville, remove the multi-function turn signal lever as follows:
   1. Make sure the lever is in the OFF position.
   2. Remove the access cover from the steering column housing.
   3. Detach the cruise control wiring connector. Note the position of the connector when installed in the column.
   4. Pull the lever straight out of the turn signal switch.
10. On Eldorado and Seville, remove the multi-function turn signal lever as follows:
    1. On 1992-93 vehicles, slide the connector cover toward the front of the vehicle.
    2. Unplug the electrical connector. On 1991 vehicles, note the position of the connector when installed in the column.
    3. Push the lever straight in, rotate clockwise 1?4 turn and pull the lever out of the switch.
11. On Deville, Fleetwood, and Eldorado and Seville, remove the screw, button, spring, and hazard warning switch knob.
12. On Deville and Fleetwood, remove the one signal switch arm retaining screw. On Eldorado and Seville, remove the 2 signal switch arm retaining screws. Remove the signal switch arm.
13. Remove the turn signal switch retaining screws.
14. Remove the wiring protector and detach the turn signal switch connector.
15. Gently pull the wire harness through the column and remove the turn signal switch.

autozone.com has a free repair guide, see below

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1990-94 Cabriolet,1990-93 Fox, 1990-92 Golf and Jetta

Fig. Lock cylinder drill point.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the steering wheel, then remove the steering column covers.
3. Remove the turn signal and wiper switches.
4. Disconnect the ignition switch wiring.
5. On some models, the hole in the lock body for removing the ignition lock cylinder was not drilled by Volkswagen. To make the hole, use the following measurements in conjunction with the illustrations. Drill the hole where "a" and "b" intersect on the lock body. The hole should be drilled 0.19 inch (3mm) deep
6. Remove the lock cylinder by pushing a small drill bit or piece of wire into the hole and pulling the cylinder out. It might be easier to insert the ignition key, turn it to the right a little and pull on it.

To install:

1. Insert the lock cylinder into the housing with the key in the cylinder.
2. While gently turning the key side-to-side, press the cylinder in to the stop. It should click into place.
3. Temporarily fit the steering wheel onto the splines, then make sure the column locks and unlocks smoothly.
4. Install the switches, column covers, wiring and the steering wheel.
5. Connect the battery cable.

1995-99 Cabrio, 1993-99 Golf and Jetta

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Center the steering wheel.
3. Remove the air bag.
4. Remove the steering column switches.
5. If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, detach the shift lock cable from the lock cylinder housing.
6. Remove the adapter sleeve from the steering column.
7. Remove the spring and horn contact ring from the steering column assembly.
8. Detach the sheer bolt.
9. Insert the ignition key and unlock the cylinder, then detach the wiring connectors.
10. Once all wiring has been detached, slide the housing off the steering column.
11. Mark and drill the lock cylinder as shown and described in the above procedure.
12. Compress the stop spring and pull the lock cylinder out of the steering column housing.
13. Put the new lock cylinder into the steering lock housing.
14. Insert the key into the lock cylinder.
15. While you gently turn the key, insert the lock cylinder fully into the housing.
16. The rest of the installation procedure is the reverse of removal.

NOTE Always use a new shear pin when installing the lock cylinder.

This is a common problem. If your 3rd brake lite works, then the problem is the turn signal switch. This componet is in the steering column. THere are a couple of variations depending on whether or not you have radio controls on the steering wheel. Either way, its a pretty detailed job requiring a pretty high level of experience and tools available. You will have to pull the steering wheel and airbag make the repair and put it all back together. If the 3rd brake lite doesn't work either, then it could be a whole different senerio.

You posted in the fre section...no need for the dollar but I'll take a cold Corona and lime!


Here ya go....

Removal & Installataion

1. Make sure the switch is in the OFF position.
   
2. Remove the Steering Wheel as outlined in this section.
   
1. Remove the instrument panel trim cover.
   
2. Insert a screwdriver into the lockplate cover slot and pry out the cover. Remove the lockplate. A special tool is available to do this. The tool is an inverted U-shape, with a hole for the shaft. The shaft nut is used to force it down. Pry the wire snap ring out of the shaft groove. Discard the snap ring.
   
3. Remove the tool and lift the lockplate off the shaft.
   
4. Remove the turn signal lever screw and lever.
   
5. Press the hazard button inward and unscrew it.
   
6. Remove the switch retaining screws. Pull the switch connector out of the mast jacket and feed the switch connector through the column support bracket.
   
7. Position the turn signal lever and shifter housing in the downward, or "low" position and pull downward on the lower end of the column using a pliers on the tab provided. Remove the wire protector.
   
8. Remove the switch mounting screws. Remove the switch by pulling it straight up while guiding the wiring harness cover through the column.
   
3. To install:
   
   1. Install the replacement switch by working the connector and cover down through the housing and under the bracket.
      
   2. Install the switch mounting screws and the connector on the mast jacket bracket. Install the column-to-dash trim plate.
      
   3. Install the flasher knob and the turn signal lever.
      
   4. With the turn signal lever in neutral and the flasher knob out, slide the thrust washer, upper bearing preload spring, and canceling cam into the shaft.
      
   5. Position the lockplate on the shaft and press it down until a new snap ring can be inserted in the shaft groove.
      
   6. Install the cover and the steering wheel.
      

Retaining ring removal



Pliers may be used to remove the turn signal wire protector



Removing the turn signal switch



Install the lockplate and the retaining ring using the tool illustrated (or its equivalent)

Unfortunately there are some special tools required you will need to get to the turn-signal switch. Below is the procedure for replacing the turn-signal switch. Generally you can rent the puller from a local auto parts jobber or you can purchase one.
Good luck, let me know how it goes.
Regards,

Many vehicles use a turn signal switch that is separate from the multifunction switch. The steering wheel will have to be removed to gain access to the turn signal switch on these vehicles. The following procedure is a common method of turn signal switch replacement:

• Place the fender covers on the fenders.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable.
• Remove the steering column trim.
• Remove the horn pad from the steering wheel.

Steering wheel attachment. Courtesy of General Motors Corporation, Service Technology Group.

• Remove the steering wheel and horn collar.
• Use a suitable puller to remove the steering wheel.
• With a suitable compressor, compress the preload spring to the lock plate. Compress the spring only enough to remove the snap ring.

To remove the snap ring, use the compressing tool to relieve the pressure against the snap ring. Courtesy of General Motors Corporation, Service Technology Group.

• Use a pick and a small flat blade screwdriver to remove the snap ring.
• Remove the lock plate, horn contact carrier, and spring.
• Remove the bolts at the upper steering column support and the upper mounting bracket from the column.
• Disconnect the turn signal wiring connector.
• Wrap tape around the wire and connector.
• Remove the hazard warning knob from the column.
• Remove the switch retaining screws and remove the switch.

Remove the turn signal switch from the column. Courtesy of Chrysler Corporation.

• Replace the switch and reverse these procedures for reinstallation.

You may look or feel the back side of the steering wheel, looking for 2 screws that hold the airbag to the wheel, these will be internal torq type screws (star) you may have to rotate the steering wheel 90 degrees to access the screws. You should first disable the airbag, by removing the airbag fuse, and or by disconnecting a yellow connector located near the base of the steering column. under the knee bolster.(panel below column). Once the retaining screws are removed, lift bag and disconnect the 2 connector to the airbag, the ground for the horn, and the horn contact wire, which requires you to push down and twist counter clockwise, damage to the horn contact ring will occur if you try and just pull connector from the ring. Now you can remove the steering wheel, may require a puller, and the you will have access to the turn signal switch.

does it have a coded key?