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Customs Replacing the turn signal switch on a 1960 Edsel....

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Lebowski, Mar 25, 2017.

  1. Lebowski
    Joined: Aug 21, 2011
    Posts: 1,564

    Lebowski
    BANNED

    Yes, there is a piece sticking down on the bottom of the steering wheel. So that's what cancels the turn signals? OK, cool. Now I just need to figure out what holds the turn signal lever up or down. I think it has something to do with the piece with the 2 small springs that I posted yesterday. Any ideas? Thanks....
     
  2. Lebowski
    Joined: Aug 21, 2011
    Posts: 1,564

    Lebowski
    BANNED

    I checked the Lowe's, Tractor Supply and Ace Hardware websites for C clips and none of them showed anything. Is this the spring and "little cup" that you're referring to? Am I supposed to put the open end of the spring in the cup and stick it in the little hole in the steering wheel to make the horn work? Also, what is the piece with the 2 little springs for that I posted yesterday? Is it supposed to hold the turn signal lever up or down somehow? Those springs are just sitting there doing nothing. Thanks...

    PICT0004.JPG

    PICT0006.JPG
     
  3. 54vicky
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,599

    54vicky
    Member

    glad your wheel had the cancel cam on it as it must have been one more thing you were searching for that you had not misplaced.I do not ever remember a signal plate like that sorry.hopefully John will remember it may have been unique to mercury.I have found over the years that sometimes the pictures in manuals were what the prototype would have looked like but during production things changed.hopefully someone will see you pic and it will ring a bell.I just seen your pic above that sure looks like the horn contact.as to the cup cir clip and spring does your old one not have them?
     
  4. Lebowski
    Joined: Aug 21, 2011
    Posts: 1,564

    Lebowski
    BANNED

    The spring and little cup were in the steering wheel before I started. Is that what you mean? So I guess all I need is a little C clip and someone to tell me how to get the turn signal lever to stay up or down. I was thinking about putting the steering wheel on and taking it for a drive since it's sunny and in the 60s today. If I need to use the turn signals I'll just hold the lever up or down. At least I finally have two brake lights. Thanks....
     
  5. 54vicky
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,599

    54vicky
    Member

    I guess I assumed you got the plate and switch.if only switch then you must have parts there if switch fit.I am not sure why you would have spring and cup in steering wheel.did you take it apart this past week or did you take it apart awhile ago?if awhile ago this would explain part of the problem. not being recent could account for not remembering where everything went.I also think the springs with the arms on switch you posted may be part of the canceling mechanism.I think it may benefit you to take it for a ride may relieve some angst trying to get it working.when I have had a problem like this it helped to walk away and come back to it with an open mind.
     
  6. Lebowski
    Joined: Aug 21, 2011
    Posts: 1,564

    Lebowski
    BANNED

    Getting older may have something to do with it too. LOL. I just took it apart last weekend. Maybe they weren't in the steering wheel. The neighbor who helped me a few days ago is going to come over in an hour or two after he finishes mowing his lawn and take a look at it. He was with IBM for 39 years so he's pretty smart so we'll see what happens....
     
  7. 54vicky
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,599

    54vicky
    Member

    I agree with the crs it gets worse I dread the time when I walk to the bathroom not remembering why.then as I walk away I either have the wet feeling or worse:D.I am sure once you approach it with a new point of view it will make sense.if it worked before other than right rear it has to work again I think you are over thinking it or just too stressed to think straight.
     
  8. Lebowski
    Joined: Aug 21, 2011
    Posts: 1,564

    Lebowski
    BANNED

    The neighbor stopped by and said that the round thing in the pic above the penny in post 111 is actually a spring and not a washer so he put in in there somewhere. He couldn't figure out the rest of it so I said screw it and put everything back together and took it for a 30 mile drive. All the lights work now including BOTH brake lights and the turn signals work as long as I hold the lever up or down. The horn works too. I know there's still some kind of a piece missing which holds the turn signal lever up or down but I have to clue what it is. If someone has any ideas what it is please let me know. It worked fine before I disassembled it but I'll be damned if I know what it is. Thanks to all who offered advice and ideas especially John (Oldmics) who spent over an hour on the phone with me and told me how to wire it up correctly.... :)
     
  9. 54vicky
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,599

    54vicky
    Member

    the only thing to do is maybe feed the turn stalk some viagra :).hopefully you remember soon as time goes by there is less chance of remembering.
     
  10. greg
    Joined: Dec 5, 2006
    Posts: 537

    greg
    Member

    Just reading your post. Looks like you got some good help. I'm not on the hamb near enough any more. My 59 just took some cleaning, so I don't remember what all was under the steering wheel.

    Sent from my SM-G925V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  11. bedwards
    Joined: Mar 25, 2015
    Posts: 279

    bedwards
    Member

    Your right, your last pictures the spring and cup go under the steering wheel to operate the horn. I took some pics of a spare assembly I have that I think is like yours. As luck would have it, my left brake light has quit so I will probably be putting this switch in mine this week end.
    The left side with the spring-washer:
    [​IMG]
    a shot of the lever centered with the spring and circlip in place:
    [​IMG]
    Left turn:
    [​IMG]
    Right turn:
    [​IMG]
    Wiring colors:
    [​IMG]


    Hope this helps. Now I have to fix mine again.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2017
  12. 54vicky
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,599

    54vicky
    Member

    I think this is the missing link now to find the cir clip.
     
  13. bedwards
    Joined: Mar 25, 2015
    Posts: 279

    bedwards
    Member

    The missing circlip is made in the shape of a cup. That's why there was no cup. :rolleyes:
     
  14. Lebowski
    Joined: Aug 21, 2011
    Posts: 1,564

    Lebowski
    BANNED

    Thanks for the pics. In your 4th pic from the top with the spring on the left side can you see if it is attached to anything or serving any purpose? Those two springs probably have something to do with holding the turn signal lever up or down because why else would they be there?

    I'm going to stop by the local Ace Hardware store tomorrow and see if they have a C clip or if not if they know where I can get one. Is it called a C clip or circlip as you call it? Thanks again....
     
  15. bedwards
    Joined: Mar 25, 2015
    Posts: 279

    bedwards
    Member

    That is one of the two springs and levers that catch the cancelling ring as it rotates by. When the signal lever and plate is off center, (right or left signal flashing) the cancelling cam turns with the steering wheel and catches one of the levers and pushes it back until the whole plate and the turn signal lever is in the center.
    Its a C clip, I am calling it the wrong thing. I guess a circlip is like a snap ring that you need special pliers to remove. A C clip just snaps in place.
     
  16. Lebowski
    Joined: Aug 21, 2011
    Posts: 1,564

    Lebowski
    BANNED

    So that's what those 2 little springs and levers are for? Thanks for explaining that to me. So can you tell me why the turn signal lever won't stay up or down like it's supposed to? If I find a C clip and put that little spring on the plastic piece will that solve the problem or is it something else?
     
  17. bedwards
    Joined: Mar 25, 2015
    Posts: 279

    bedwards
    Member

    I should fix it. It holds the indentions in the plate to the indentions in the switch to keep it in place until the cancel moves it or you do.
    I hope you still have the two levers that go with the springs and the collar that goes on the shaft to make the whole cancelling thing work. =]
     
  18. Lebowski
    Joined: Aug 21, 2011
    Posts: 1,564

    Lebowski
    BANNED

    Are you referring to the piece pictured in post #101? If so then yes, it's still in there. Hopefully there aren't any missing pieces. So if I find a C clip and put it in along with that little spring then the lever will stay up of down? I'm going to stop by my local Ace this morning and see if they have them....
     
  19. bedwards
    Joined: Mar 25, 2015
    Posts: 279

    bedwards
    Member

    I would think so. That should provide enough friction to hold the lever in place when you move it.
     
  20. 54vicky
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,599

    54vicky
    Member

    I doubt you will find the clip it has a cup shape that captures the spring. without the cup shape it may not hold spring in place. perhaps if you guys can work something out bedwards seems to have a spare he may send you one.nice to see him jump in to help.what he said about the springs is what I thought also.it is coming together nicely the power of this place strikes again.it would not have happened without Ryan providing the avenue to reach out.big hats off to him
     
  21. Lebowski
    Joined: Aug 21, 2011
    Posts: 1,564

    Lebowski
    BANNED

    I bought a couple of C clips at Ace Hardware (36 cents for both:)) but the spring was too small at one end to fit over the plastic piece so I could attach the C clip. At one point the spring popped off and went flying behind me. After searching all over the back seat with the trouble light for a couple of minutes I finally found it on the rear package shelf. If it won't fit over the plastic piece completely then how am I supposed to attach the C clip above it? Also, is there a trick to holding the spring down and attaching the C clip? I was going to use needle nose pliers since it's so small....
     
  22. 54vicky
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,599

    54vicky
    Member

    I do not think as I said that a regular clip will work.that clip was used for a few early fords mid to late 50s to broaden your search.I do not think the clip needs to snap on I think that the spring when released holds the clip.I hope that makes sense.I also think the clip might get bent using pliers if it does what I said if you use something to push spring down then clip should slip on I would use tweezers.
     
  23. Lebowski
    Joined: Aug 21, 2011
    Posts: 1,564

    Lebowski
    BANNED

    Good news! I put it back together and now the turn signals self-cancel. I used a different spring with a little washer on the end and managed to get the C clip on with a small pair of needle nose pliers. It's hard to believe that a little spring and clip would make a difference but they definitely did. Thanks again to all who helped me out with this. Another HAMB success story! :D
     
  24. Engine man
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 3,480

    Engine man
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    If the only problem is the turn signal not locking into a right or left turn position, that might not be all bad. At least you won't be the old man driving 30 miles down the road with a turn signal on.
     
  25. Engine man
    Joined: Jan 30, 2011
    Posts: 3,480

    Engine man
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Glad you got it working.
     
  26. 54vicky
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,599

    54vicky
    Member

    to quote a famous line good night gracie.glad it worked out
     
  27. bedwards
    Joined: Mar 25, 2015
    Posts: 279

    bedwards
    Member

    Good news! Now if I can get mine back working. Its a common problem even on newer cars.
     
  28. Mine does that on RH turns only. I have another TS switch for it but will start with the canceling cam. I'll take it apart first and drink about it.
     
  29. IMG_7332.JPG Awesome info here! I'm having basically the same problem with my 61 merc monterey. No brake lights or rear signals.

    Any of you knowledgeable guys know where i can find a turn signal switch like this one? Macs has a bunch of similar but none for my year. Thanks in advance!
     
  30. bedwards
    Joined: Mar 25, 2015
    Posts: 279

    bedwards
    Member

    I'm sorry, not much help on the Merc. .
    Just an update, pulled my steering wheel and cleaned my switch with lighter fluid. Works like a charm now.
     

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