On my '82 the turn signal lever does not attach directly to the switch. It pivots on a fulcrum point at where the lever enters the column and the end inside the column pushes on a metal rod that runs down the column (inside the housing) until it exits below the dash where it actuates the switch that is externally mounted on the column. In other words, the turn signal lever does not connect to a switch inside the column but rather acts to push a 10" or so long rod / heavy wire onto the externally mounted switch sooooo..... There are several things that can cause this rod to hang up or fail to spring back to its resting position including a broken spring, rust, some of the plastic guide material inside the column breaking off / distorting, etc. The switch itself is mounted where it is visible (you can even see the end of the steel push rod coming out of the column outer housing)from the driver's footwell and is the most likely culprit (contacts burnt closed or spring / rod broken jammed) so I would find / check that first. A simple diagnosis is to determine if you are still getting a "click" when you pull back on the lever. If so, rod is not jammed and problem is, most likely a bad switch or wiring. If not, rod is stuck, spring is shot, or end of lever where it meets the push rod in the upper end of the column is broken off. This mechanism works much like a retractable ball-point pen. Of course this assumes that you have the same steering column as I do (the Chrysler / AMC style "pentastar" shaped key). If yours is the GM column (short rectangular shaped key) I can't be sure these are the same unless they are both tilt columns (all the tilt mechanisms are Saginaw / GM so they are the same). As for "prying off" that cover, my experience has been that there is a small tab that snaps into the main plastic cover requiring steering wheel and turn signal switch removal for proper access to a small screw inside the housing! Otherwise "snap"...OH S*&^T moment awaits! Best of luck, Tom Gorr RQB3449 (Jan 2009)