Turn Signal Mechanism Overhaul?

[JohnG]

hi
does anyone have any experience working on the turn signal mechanism?

I am not referring to the little tin box under the dash that makes it blink, but rather the physical mechanism in the right hand top of the steering column that turns each side on and off via the lever on the left side sticking out.

As of late mine requires that I hold it up or down in order to keep it electrically engaged. If I just push it up or down it does not go far enough to make the electrical contacts happen.

I have taken the whole thing apart and cleaned and lubed things but also dont find anything wrong. Finally I come to the little silver and black box on the right side which has 6 wires going into it. Inside are contact posts for the wires and 2 S shaped springs which get pushed against the spring to essentially connect various posts.

Aside from cleaning with contact cleaner I am wondering if the S shaped springs need slight re-shaping so they make contact SOONER which is essentially what my problem comes down to.

Any experience with this???

John
58 Hardtop:7

[Alexander]

RE: Turn Signal Mechanism Overhaul?

http://www.squarebirds.org/images/transmission_linkage.jpg

The problem is often the C-shaped piece (part 13318 near the of the picture) that is attached to the steering wheel. It gets worn with a groove and the ends where the groove is are no longer square. You can solve this problem by carefully prying the C-piece off along the axis of the steering wheel with a screwdriver. You can then turn it over and reinstall it, and it will present a fresh piece of metal to the turn signal mechanism. Your problem also occurs when the steering wheel is not on straight. When going straight, the bottom spoke should be straight down. Also the C-shaped piece must have the opening to the right in the striaght ahead position in order for it to work correctly.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[JohnG]

RE: Turn Signal Mechanism Overhaul?

hi Alexader

If I get your email correct, the "C shaped" piece is what the manual calls the "cam"? It has to do with returning the mechanism to
the neutral or "off" position when you straighten the wheel out - yes?

I should mention I am sort of bench testing this in the garage. Simply pulling or pushing the lever and expecting the directionals to work with the motion of the steering wheel turning them off or me simply putting the lever into neutral.

As I got the car, the C shaped piece opened to the LEFT. You tell me the RIGHT so that may be the problem. (my "left" and "right" refer to the view from the drivers seat)

I believe the wheel is straight in that the mark on the column is
at 12:00 and the wheels are pretty much straight ahead (eyeballing them).

Question: should I be able to essentially "bench test" the mechanism with the steering wheel off and just sitting in the garage? In other words should my pulling the lever down result in the left directionals staying on and blinking until I move the lever back to neutral?

Thanks as always for your detailed help!

John

[Alexander]

RE: Turn Signal Mechanism Overhaul?

I am doing it from memory, but from the diagram, it looks like the opening is to the right as looking from the driver's seat. I have a wheel at home that I can check this weekend. That C-haped piece is responsible for cancelling the signal, but if it is not in the proper position can interfere with putting the siganls on.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[JohnG]

RE: Turn Signal Mechanism Overhaul?

thanks...that may be the source of my problem...

John