C3 turn signal
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: MI
C3 turn signal
New owner of a C3. The turn signal is a combination turn signal, headlight dimmer and cruise control. The lever is quite loose and when pulled down to activate the left turn signal, by the time the lever reaches its furthest down stroke, the left turn signal comes on but doesn't "click" into place and in order to keep the directional blinking, I need to hold it down. The right turn signal, when I throw the lever up fully, will blink and hold into place. The lever has to make these wide swings, as though its loose and still won't hold for the left signal. The headlight dimmer and cruise work fine.
What do you think is the problem. When I access this space by removing the steering wheel I recognize nothing broken. I can't see deep enough into the turn lever area to recognize anything broken, but that's where I suspect the problem is.
What do you think is the problem. When I access this space by removing the steering wheel I recognize nothing broken. I can't see deep enough into the turn lever area to recognize anything broken, but that's where I suspect the problem is.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 696
Likes: 193
From: USA
New owner of a C3. The turn signal is a combination turn signal, headlight dimmer and cruise control. The lever is quite loose and when pulled down to activate the left turn signal, by the time the lever reaches its furthest down stroke, the left turn signal comes on but doesn't "click" into place and in order to keep the directional blinking, I need to hold it down. The right turn signal, when I throw the lever up fully, will blink and hold into place. The lever has to make these wide swings, as though its loose and still won't hold for the left signal. The headlight dimmer and cruise work fine.
What do you think is the problem. When I access this space by removing the steering wheel I recognize nothing broken. I can't see deep enough into the turn lever area to recognize anything broken, but that's where I suspect the problem is.
What do you think is the problem. When I access this space by removing the steering wheel I recognize nothing broken. I can't see deep enough into the turn lever area to recognize anything broken, but that's where I suspect the problem is.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Sound like the plastic 'cam-cancel' piece in the steering column is broken. Not unusual, at all. You can access it with steering wheel and hub removal on standard or tilt/tele columns. Just Google up a You Tube video on replacing the cam-cancel part of turn signal mechanism.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: MI
Sound like the plastic 'cam-cancel' piece in the steering column is broken. Not unusual, at all. You can access it with steering wheel and hub removal on standard or tilt/tele columns. Just Google up a You Tube video on replacing the cam-cancel part of turn signal mechanism.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,380
Likes: 1,745
From: Seattle Area Washington
3 things to look at.
3 links from e-bay for reference only.
The arm that is secured to the turn signal switch by a single screw. The cam follower on the arm fits in the casting of the pivot assembly. Make sure that arm is tight and is in the correct position.
LINK:https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...&_odkw=7833704
In 1978 there was a first and second design pivot kit assembly. Make sure the pivot bracket is secured correctly and has not cracked or broke.
LINK 1st pivot bolt style:https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...&_odkw=7827038
LINK 2nd pivot pin style:https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...&_odkw=7833702
It could also be that the pin securing the plastic portion to the metal pivot bracket has backed out, unlikely but something to look at.
3 links from e-bay for reference only.
The arm that is secured to the turn signal switch by a single screw. The cam follower on the arm fits in the casting of the pivot assembly. Make sure that arm is tight and is in the correct position.
LINK:https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...&_odkw=7833704
In 1978 there was a first and second design pivot kit assembly. Make sure the pivot bracket is secured correctly and has not cracked or broke.
LINK 1st pivot bolt style:https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...&_odkw=7827038
LINK 2nd pivot pin style:https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...&_odkw=7833702
It could also be that the pin securing the plastic portion to the metal pivot bracket has backed out, unlikely but something to look at.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
Exact same problem on my 79. I have gone in several times and taken the one screw mentioned loose and it fixes the problem for a while, but it has always returned. I think the only permanent fix is to replace the turn signal switch, which I haven't gotten the motivation to fix.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: MI
These are good suggestions and what I'm fearful may be the problem. I have accessed down to the turn switch assembly and can replace it, however I fear I may need to go deeper to investigate this pivot bracket. How do I get to that level to visualize and possibly replace that pivot bracket?
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,380
Likes: 1,745
From: Seattle Area Washington
I'm assuming you have the tilt & telescopic steering column?
Here is a link to some papers from Jim Shea's on the T&T column for the 69-82 Corvette. There are 3 attachments that can be saved. LINK:http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=1009
Post a photo if you can to show the signal/dimmer/cruise arm at the socket area.
Let us know what you find when you get there.
Here is a link to some papers from Jim Shea's on the T&T column for the 69-82 Corvette. There are 3 attachments that can be saved. LINK:http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=1009
Post a photo if you can to show the signal/dimmer/cruise arm at the socket area.
Let us know what you find when you get there.
Last edited by bmotojoe; Aug 20, 2020 at 07:33 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: MI
Well, this was the problem. The turn signal lever rests in a housing that via a 2 mm pin attaches to and pivots on the steering column. That pin was only half way in, allowing the turn signal lever to move about randomly, sufficient to activate the right but not the left turn indication. Once that pin was seated correctly, the turn signal lever was stable and could easily activate both right and left signals. I replaced the turn signal switch anyway, because I'd purchased it and was there, but the original switch looked to be fine. What a chore that project was.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,380
Likes: 1,745
From: Seattle Area Washington
So now you know you have the 2nd design pivot assembly because of the pin. Also, the plastic portion where the turn/cruise lever arm is inserted is different and is at a different angle then the 1st design.
Time consuming repair but at least a broken pivot bracket was not the problem.
Time consuming repair but at least a broken pivot bracket was not the problem.
