Turn signal arm wouldnt stick turning left or right.

Got everything pulled, replaced the plastic cam switch on the inside.

The guy doing it says the arm still wont stay in place.

Dont want to buy a new arm etc because theres a no return policy on it.

So...with that being said, what would keep it from staying in place at this point? When I have the cam switch out, I can move it and it locks in place like it should.

What in between that and the arm would keep it from functioning properly?

 

You say you replaced the plastic cam switch,did you replace the canceling cam or the switch.The switch would have wires the cancel cam will not.


Nos.6 and 11

 

We need to know what part was replaced. The cancel cam has nothing to do with keeping the switch on, that is what cancels it when the steering wheel is turned back the other way. Also, we're assuming you have a third gen, but mentioning that for sure will help us help you. My thought is you're missing the spring, but that would certainly come with a new turn signal switch.

 

Sorry for the vague question.

85 firebird.

Stock photo of course but hopefully I can relay my un-mechanically inclined thoughts- originally I was told this switch was the problem-


So I got it replaced and the guy now says the arm still isnt staying in place.

 

That's the turn signal switch and has the spring on it that I was referencing in the first photo. I guess the lever could be broken, I circled the black bracket that is screwed to the switch. Maybe that is broken or missing? Or maybe he didn't put it together right is my best guess.

 

Might be able to just get a new column for less money at the local junk yard.
That connector has to fit through a very narrow space and it's easy to pinch wires and not get things back together as it should.

 

Both of those pieces are there. The one on the left thats screwed in and has the ball piece that goes to the signal arm supposedly goes back together correctly.

The person doing it says when put back together, it still wouldnt stay in place when using the turn signal. I tried asking if the arm piece etc isnt catching enough to force the switch to stick in place or what but its tough getting answers.


Sadly Im not mechanically inclined enough to hit a pick an pull and snag one. Not sure what a good price is for a full steering column.

 

You might want to look for an older mechanic that has experience working on something like this. To me it sounds like someone that isn't as experienced and is winging it. From what you just posted about them, I would move on.

The steering column isn't a whole lot of work to remove actually. IIRC, they were going for around $30-$50 w/ tilt etc. You're right in the fact that it might take a while to find the same or comparable year. However, even a regular junk yard should have one for a bit more money and possibly the key as well.
I was thinking that a standard mechanic could replace the column better than one trying to replace parts inside of it.

Example of a place in Texas for $38- $67. (Click (Cntrl + F) and type in "steering col" to find more easily.)
http://www.picknpull.com/part_pricin...=&#partpricing

Not trying to talk you into anything, just letting you know you have options.

 

It is actually very simple and easy to replace the turn signal switch. The wiring part is the easiest. You just disconnect the old one at the base of the column, fish some mechanic's wire through one of the lower empty connector cavities, pull the turn signal switch out the top of the column, put the mechanics wire into the same cavity of the new switch and pull it right back down. It takes longer to pull the wheel and lock plate off. But I don't disagree that the cost may be similar.

 

Yep, I've pulled them out as well and it isn't always that easy to pass it through. I also know of a few times where the "mechanic" that people have hired had made the situation worse.

 

I came across this link in another thread. It includes info on the cancelling springs (Step 3) but I didn't read it. -just passing it on in case it helps.

http://www.cascadecrew.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9248

 

I have a problem similar to this. My problem is with the high beams though. For some reason using the turn signal lever to switch between high and low beams doesn't work. It feels like it is stuck in jelly, but the turn signal part of the lever works fine. I have no idea where to begin. It worked prior to this, but today when I was testing my new bulbs, it just wouldn't do anything. HELP

And yes I have tried searching. Oh and by the way, before when I would switch between hi and low, I would feel a click in the lever, now there is nothing.

so again HELP PLEASE

 

And I forgot to add, I think it is stuck in hi, I can't really tell because they are different bulbs. Worst comes to worst, I will have to turn them upside down until I can fix this.

IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING DAMMIT!

 

Did you check to see if the dimer rod dislocated.?

 

I actually am not familiar with this part of the car at all. Something could very well be dislocated. Can you give me a step by step for this. I tried looking in the service manual but I found nothing.

 

This is the best I can do.If you have no knowledge on how to do this,I recommend take it to someone who has.

 

Okay, based off of this, and what I now found in the fsm, I have an idea of how this works. So my question is, how much do I have to take off before I can get at this rod. I know what it looks like at the bottom of the column, so is there any chance I can wrestle with it enough so that it will pop back in (is it fastened with a pin or anything). How exactly does it pop into the turn signal lever anyway. thanks for your help.

Worst comes to worst I will turn off high beams manually if in fact they are on and deal with this when it gets warmer, but I would like to try to pop it in if I can.

 

I really don't know,I never did this before.Sorry!!.

 

I figured out my problem, it was a wire loom blocking the switch's rod from moving all the way. Thanks for your help. And congrats on COTM!

 

Thanks a lot alex,I'm glad you solved your problem