68 Directional Signal Mechanism

[Richard D.]

Can anyone recommend a reliable source for a turn signal switch I (think) I need to replace?

Believe it's messing up my brake lights.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations,

Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Directional Signal Mechanism

Rich-----

I don't see the relationship between the brake lights and the turn signal switch, but, I suppose, anything's possible. In any event, the switch, GM #5698520, has been discontinued through GM, but may be avialable from Delco dealers under Delco #D6226. Also, most of the Corvette parts suppliers like Dr. Rebuild or The Last Detail should have it. If not, I'm sure that there are still plenty of these switches around. It wasn't GM-discontinued that long ago.

[Eugene B.]

Re: 68 Directional Signal Mechanism

Richard,
I seem to have a somewhat similar problem with the turn signal and the brake light on my '65. A local Corvette guy told me that there is a feature in the turn signal switch that turns off the brake light so that the turn signal can be applied to the lamp filament. Haven't taken my TS. switch out yet to verify.

Good luck,
Gene

[Richard D.]

Re: 68 Directional Signal Mechanism

Thanks Joe and Gene.

Gene, my problem is that my brake lights are inoperative until I cycle the dirctional stalk a couple of times, then they will work.

It might be a gunk build up in the mechanism that I may be able to clean up and get operative again, and I will try that, but I figured if the switch mechanism wasn't too much, I'd get one to have on hand, just in case.

I did double check all my chassis grounds on the harness in back and from the battery to chassis, and cleaned those up, except the the grounds on the rear lights due to the fact that they were pretty frozen up after all those years, and I did not want to break the machined studs coming off the rear light fixtures. I was thinking of splicing new clean ground wires on to a new mount on the chassis if that turns out to be the problem, but I don't think that's what the difficulty is.

If, by some miracle I get a chance to work on it this weekend, I'll let you know what I find.

Regards,

Rich

[William C.]

Re: 68 Directional Signal Mechanism

There is a small switching unit in the turn signal mechanisn that indeed switches between turn signal input and brake light function. The contacts on these are silver plated and silver plating will oxidize over time with a non-conductive film. If you want to try to fix yours, disassemble it, the little contacts will be obvious and try some of your wife's silver polish if she will let you or buy your own for the shop.

[Daniel Grunwald]

Re: 68 Directional Signal Mechanism

Richard,
I had a similiar problem on my 67. The turn signals work but not the brake lights. The brake switch tested good. I bought a new turn signal switch from Paragon. It didn't look to be great quality but I figured it might solve the problem. I would try to get a GM unit if possible. I still have the problem and when I get time I am going to put the old switch back in just because it is original. Then I will try tracking down the electric gremling again from scratch.
Daniel

[Richard D.]

Re: 68 Directional Signal Mechanism

Thanks Guys for the input.

I checked the site of the Last Detail and saw they had them available, some as NOS.

Rich

[Eugene B.]

Re: 68 Directional Signal Mechanism

Rich,
The Corvette guy here in Columbus, OH told me that the replacement Delco turn signal switch runs about $74. Guess the rub is that you have to fish the two sets of wires down the steering column jacket.

Gene