Turn signals not working?

[SuicideKing]

Hello all, been lurking on these forums for awhile, and figure rather than waste time(&money), I'd rather ask those with more experience to proceed in the right direction(& break the ice in the process). So here goes:

Recently, I was replacing my turn signal bulbs in my 1971 Charger(440 w/ 4-speed) because they decided to go out, which made night driving a no-no. Well, replacement went smoothly, & I figured I could do finally do some night driving...how wrong was I?! So I go to check my lights(headlights, high beams, & such) after my replacement of the bulbs, & out of habit, I looked at the turn signal lever, which was now hanging very loosely. I tried pushing up or down on the lever to see if either signal would work, & no luck. I had noticed that the lever had been starting to become "limp" over a period of time. At first, it was just that I had to apply a little pressure on the downward(left turn) signal, but right signal worked fine. Now it hangs super loosely, and neither turn signal activates when I push up or down on the lever(& there are no clicks, either)...it merely hangs there limp. I've looked at my repair manual, & ordered a steering wheel puller, but just wanted to see if I could get some pointers before I pull it apart? If it makes a difference, it is a non-telescoping steering column, with a Tuff steering wheel. Also, all other lights function properly & light up(high beams, brake lights, low beams, reverse lights, interior lights, dash panel lights).

Also, on another note, I tried calling around for turn signal switch repair kits(or replacement switches), just to be prepared financially, & no one seems to have replacement parts(Mopar dealer or junkyards included). Is Ebay my only option at this point? I don't care if it's NOS(unless that's what functions best), I just want to find a correct replacement turn signal switch that won't crap out. Suggestions of where to go for these would be greatly appreciated?


**I figure as much details as possible might make a difference, so sorry for the long read.**

[Admin]

SK...welcome aboard!

Sorry to hear about your turn signal troubles. This is not an issue I have personally dealt with before, so I'll leave it to one of our members who has "been there and done that".

Sure sounds like the cam and switch mechanism to me though. I would think many of the resto houses would have them, but with classic car parts, you get where ever you can.

Good luck with your project!

[Nacho-RT74]

no turning, but you do get hazzards ?

lets see... you can check where is the fail making this:

unplug turning signal switch harness jump out the pink wire with light green, dark green, tan and brown wires. iIt should light up and even blink, maybe slowly.

pink wire is the wire coming from hazzard flasher, the other 4 are each corner. You can use the red wire instead the pink too, but will have to put the key in ACC or RUN, since red wire comes from turning flasher and turnings just come on with key in ACC or RUN.

if everthing of this works, problem is on turning switch ( whichever the problem is )

On a note, a loosen turning switch lever could be just the retaining screw loosen and maybe that could be the real problem. Dunno what steering wheel do you have, but if tuff wheel or rimblow wheel, I think the adaptor gets a hole able to reach this screw ( flat screwdriver ). Canceling cam could be also broken. I think they are available as replacement without need to replace all the switch.

NOS turning switches are available on ebay and some Mopar dedicated dealers handling NOS parts but day after day are becoming harder to find and expensive. Replacement switches are good enough althought the wiring colors are not the same AND the horn switch function is a basic pushrod instead with the roller original came with attached to the end. They are available at regular stores like RockAuto and similars ( ebay too of course ).

[71chargerfan]

On mine, it was just the retaining screw for the lever. Tedious repair, but not difficult.