Turn signals don't cancel

[TugOwar]

Hi all,

Like the title says, signals don't cancel, haven't since I got the truck (68 GMC). They turn on both ways just fine.

Stock automatic column with late model 4 spoke steering wheel.

Does the whole turn signal switch need to be replaced or is something maybe out of adjustment?

It's not really a big deal, most of the time. Only when I look down and realize I forgot to cancel it after my last turn......five miles back!

[Longhorn Man]

Go to the dealer and tell them you need cancelling springs. Real cheap, and I'm sure some one has a pic or can scan something tellin you how/where to put them.
Pretty easy job really...once the wheel is off.

[Cat Fuzz]

Theres a little ring in the column that needs to be replaced. They break when people mistakenly leave their hand on the turn signal lever while completing a turn. Should be able to get them at most auto parts stores.

[Longhorn Man]

A ring? Never seen a ring in any GM column except the later ones with a lock plate.

[Peregrine]

I can't promise anything, but my left signal didn't cancel 2 months ago, and now it does. Just decided to start working. My theory is the P/O didn't use them a lot and I do most of the time and it just got the springs back in shape or something.

[Cat Fuzz]

Hmmm, then what did I break? My left signal doesn't cancel because I screwed up and held it down while turning the wheel back. My right signal still cancels. I figured pretty much all vehicles had similar cancel cam type thingys.

[TugOwar]

Thanks guys, I'll pull the wheel in a couple days a see is I can identify where/how these springs are supposed to be.

[texnician01]

just pull off the steering wheel. The signal lever attaches to a plastic piece and has 2 springs on it. usually the plastic piece or the springs are broken. you can usually go to any auto parts store and get them. NAPA and Oreillys have them in either the Help or Motormite line so do most other stores. these were common things to break and are usually stocked at stores.

Nathan

[68CST327]

Is the plastic piece that the signal lever attaches to, the actual turn signal mechanism? The one with the mess of wires? For some reason, the right signal works fine, but pulling the lever down for the left, doesn't let the plastic ring slide over the lock on the ride side, and it won't turn on the signal. If you hold the lever part way, like if you're just changing lanes, it will work. I don't want to have to replace that dang thing. It looks like a nightmare of wires.

[texnician01]

If i remember right the plastic piece just has a set of contacts to ground the lights and act as a switch. I did mine and it was like a 5 min job not including the steering wheel. 68cst327 yours is prolly a bad contact on the plastic piece. mine did something like that until I replaced it. Sorry I'd go look but...

Nathan

[sneakysnake]

Originally Posted by Cat Fuzz

Theres a little ring in the column that needs to be replaced. They break when people mistakenly leave their hand on the turn signal lever while completing a turn. Should be able to get them at most auto parts stores.

Plastic cancelation "Cam" probably got left off when they replaced the steering wheel

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by 68CST327

Is the plastic piece that the signal lever attaches to, the actual turn signal mechanism? The one with the mess of wires? For some reason, the right signal works fine, but pulling the lever down for the left, doesn't let the plastic ring slide over the lock on the ride side, and it won't turn on the signal. If you hold the lever part way, like if you're just changing lanes, it will work. I don't want to have to replace that dang thing. It looks like a nightmare of wires.

Your switch is crapping out on you. I'll bet a punch in the gut that if you were to look, your brake lights go out sometimes...esp when using the turn signals.

Originally Posted by sneakysnake

Plastic cancelation "Cam" probably got left off when they replaced the steering wheel

Not likely. In the stock non tilt column in these trucks, the cancelation cam is the same piece as the horn slip ring...which also rides on the upper column bearings. If it was missing, the wheel would be clunking around and scare the livin crap out of anyone who drove it. Anyone in there right mind would park it out of extreme fear.

[68CST327]

lol, yeah I just experienced that earlier today. Had the stock steering wheel off to replace it with a Grant (which after hearing all the horror stories about the horn button, I may take back) and I forgot to out the cancel cam/horn ring back on. The new wheel had some slop in the shaft... took me a few minutes to realize what the problem was.

[70 shorty]

you mean you don't have to remove a locking plate to fix the problem? I'm liking these trucks more and more each day. I love the simplicity of them!

[Longhorn Man]

Locking plate is only there if you have the ignition switch in the column.

[70orangeboy]

its a sring i think. same problem in my70 few months ago. 1spring, no cost,cuz dad's buddy had an extra sitting around shop. real easy just pull wheel