Turn signal contact problems

[Sundance]

I just intalled a tilt steering wheel. The turn signal mechanism and wiring is all brand new. When I signal right everything works correct 100% of the time. When I signal left it only works 40% or less of the time. I've traced the problem to the copper contacts within the mechanism. I cleaned the contacts as there was alot of grease on the assembly. I thought I had the problem solved but no such luck.

Has anyone else had this problem, and what did you do to fix it?

[tumper93]

Sounds like to me that you have a bad turnsignal switch and it needs to be replaced. Is it a GM switch or an aftermarket? If it is aftermarket, go get a GM part. In the 60's and 70's all the exterior lights except headlights had to go through the t/s switch first. The grease you saw was dielectric grease and should be there and stay there, if you removed it on something be sure to replace it. Unfortunatly the grease isn't you problem. Sorry!!!

[Sundance]

Yeah I understood the grease was dielectric no problems there.

I have no idea if it is a GM or aftermarket switch. Is there any way to tell?

Just looking at it, it looks like a pain to get the wires out of the tilt column. How hard is it to replace the switch. Can I disconnect the switch from the harness or is the harness hard-wired?

Thanks for the help.

[CarlC]

Try cleaning and reconnecting the underdash plug to the switch. Also check the grounds for all of the bulbs, including the dash.

[Sundance]

Well I figured it out.

This will apply to anyone with a switch that is really old or brand new.

The problem was the brass hazard switch pin. When you press the hazard button in, a ramp within the switch causes a pin to press up on the turn signal contacts, causing the contacts to loose contact with the signal pads. The reason for this is to stop the flasher relay from flickering while the hazards flicker. In my case the pin was a hair too long and when I signaled left the pin was just pushing on the contacts. I filed the pin down just a little and all is good now.

This would also apply to original contacts as the contacts would wear and the pin would do the same thing. Reason I know this is because I replaced my new switch upper with an old one and I had no signals at all.