1971 Turn Signal Switch Cleaning - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

c10boob · 10-08-2013, 03:12 PM

My driver side brake light is not working and like normal, I was able to search this forum and find and confirm the reason why: turn signal switch!

Now, I prefer not to spend $40 on a new one and would like to recondition my existing switch instead, so I have two questions..

1) Has anyone had success in reconditioning their switch or should I just go ahead and replace it?

2) How to I get to the turn signal switch and if anyone thinks reconditioning it will work, how do I go about doing that?

**leddzepp** · 10-08-2013, 03:53 PM

Does your front driver side turn signal work?

TheSeeker · 10-08-2013, 04:29 PM

To get to the switch you need to remove the steering wheel, once inside you can see what you need to remove in order to get it all the way out, the wires run down the inside of the column to an opening below, and then run inside a little metal wiring channel/cover that slides into some fingers on the underside of the column

c10boob · 10-08-2013, 04:46 PM

Sounds good! How do you recommend cleaning it?

And to answer your question leddzepp, everything works but the one brake light and a side turn signal or two, but front and back turn signals are fine. I can get both brake lights to work by wiggling the turn signal lever around a little, so it has to be the switch.

*Fitz* · 10-08-2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c10boob

Sounds good! How do you recommend cleaning it?

Spray Cleaner for electronics. Radioshack or Amazon has it.

PanelDeland · 10-08-2013, 08:09 PM

I've never cleaned one.When I've taken them out,t was usually in pieces.The screws can get loose but hat shouldn't cause your problem though I've been wrong before.

c10boob · 10-10-2013, 10:04 AM

I took it apart and cleaned everything as planned. Prior to taking it apart my driver side brake light was intermittent (would only come on after pulling the turn signal lever slightly up and toward the wheel) and also the horn would only sound by pushing forward on the turn signal lever (the horn button on the steering wheel would not work at all).

After cleaning and placing the switch back in the column everything worked perfectly (including the horn button) BUT, then I installed the round plates which allow the horn button to be depressed by the center of the steering wheel and I'm back to square one. So the problem lies somehow in those round metal plates.

What gives?

10-08-2013, 03:12 PM	#1
c10boob Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 72	1971 Turn Signal Switch Cleaning My driver side brake light is not working and like normal, I was able to search this forum and find and confirm the reason why: turn signal switch! Now, I prefer not to spend $40 on a new one and would like to recondition my existing switch instead, so I have two questions.. 1) Has anyone had success in reconditioning their switch or should I just go ahead and replace it? 2) How to I get to the turn signal switch and if anyone thinks reconditioning it will work, how do I go about doing that?

10-08-2013, 03:53 PM	#2
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,115	Re: 1971 Turn Signal Switch Cleaning Does your front driver side turn signal work? __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

10-08-2013, 04:29 PM	#3
TheSeeker Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 337	Re: 1971 Turn Signal Switch Cleaning To get to the switch you need to remove the steering wheel, once inside you can see what you need to remove in order to get it all the way out, the wires run down the inside of the column to an opening below, and then run inside a little metal wiring channel/cover that slides into some fingers on the underside of the column

10-08-2013, 04:46 PM	#4
c10boob Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 72	Re: 1971 Turn Signal Switch Cleaning Sounds good! How do you recommend cleaning it? And to answer your question leddzepp, everything works but the one brake light and a side turn signal or two, but front and back turn signals are fine. I can get both brake lights to work by wiggling the turn signal lever around a little, so it has to be the switch.

10-08-2013, 08:09 PM	#6
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: 1971 Turn Signal Switch Cleaning I've never cleaned one.When I've taken them out,t was usually in pieces.The screws can get loose but hat shouldn't cause your problem though I've been wrong before. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

10-10-2013, 10:04 AM	#7
c10boob Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 72	Re: 1971 Turn Signal Switch Cleaning I took it apart and cleaned everything as planned. Prior to taking it apart my driver side brake light was intermittent (would only come on after pulling the turn signal lever slightly up and toward the wheel) and also the horn would only sound by pushing forward on the turn signal lever (the horn button on the steering wheel would not work at all). After cleaning and placing the switch back in the column everything worked perfectly (including the horn button) BUT, then I installed the round plates which allow the horn button to be depressed by the center of the steering wheel and I'm back to square one. So the problem lies somehow in those round metal plates. What gives?



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