C3 Flasher Button/ Tilt-Tele Column Issue

[Craig C.]

Finishing up the restoration on my 1969 and have found that my flasher button is stuck in my tilt-tele steering column. The button will not pull out. I assume that I will have to disassemble the column for repair, but am not looking forward to this as it is not something I have experience doing. One result of the problem is that when the battery is hooked-up, the front parking lights, tail lights and interior direction signal lights all light but do not flash.

Any advise will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Craig

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 Flasher Button/ Tilt-Tele Column Issue

It's not that hard to tear into the steering column... You WILL want to buy or rent a compression tool for the upper column lock plate. But, beyond that, it's just a matter of looking at a decent exploded view and following the R&R proceedures in the Chassis Service Manual.

The fact that your exterior lights come on and stay on, is pointing to an issue with the 4-way emergency flasher. It's designed to handle multiple lamp loads vs. the turn signal flasher that was tailored to drive a specfic number of lamps.

The emergency flasher installs in the fuse block while the TS flasher installs on a separate socket of the dash wiring harness (ususally found on a holding clip below/behind the passenger side lower dash pad)...

[Craig C.]

Re: C3 Flasher Button/ Tilt-Tele Column Issue

Jack thanks for the reply. I am assuming my hazard flasher is ok since I purchased it new as part of a fuse kit - but I understand this does not guarantee anything. My concern is that my hazard button will not move and I am trying to investigate this. I believe it is stuck engaged, but my lights don't flash, they just stay on. Has anyone ever encountered this issue?

So far I have disassembled my T/T column down to the turn signal mechanism. It is still not clear to me that I will be able to get to the hazard mechanism without removing the column from the car. Will I have to remove the column or should I keep digging?

Thanks for the help.

Craig

[Bill L.]

Re: C3 Flasher Button/ Tilt-Tele Column Issue

I took my T/T column apart some time ago. As I remember, there is a small plate that the knob screws in to. If the plate is not in properly that might explain why it will not go in and out. Could also have a broken spring from the cancel cam jammed in there as a possible thought.

If memory serves me you will have to take the column apart down to and including the cancel cam assembly. Very easy as long as you have the lock plate tool to depress the center hub to put the clip back on.

As Jack said, as far as working on a car this is a fairly easy task.

Hope that helps. Bill

[Jim S.]

Re: C3 Flasher Button/ Tilt-Tele Column Issue

You do not have to remove your steering column from the car in order to inspect and fix your turn signal switch and hazard warning lever.

You will need to remove the three screws that hold the turn signal switch in place. Also remove the hazard button from the side of the column housing. Pull the switch part way out of the steering column. (You probably will have to disconnect the switch "harmonica" connector from the vehicle wiring harness in order to gain some slack in the wires.)

With the switch out of the housing you should be able to see the hazard lever stuck into the underside of the switch. (Otherwise the lever will be laying inside the column housing.)


Lift the lever out of the housing. You will see a rectangular slot in the underside of the turn signal switch where the small end of the lever should fit into. The lever pivots on a ledge inside the housing. When you press on the hazard knob you will cause the plastic slide with the slot to depress into switch and cause the hazards to operate.

Jim

[Craig C.]

Re: C3 Flasher Button/ Tilt-Tele Column Issue

Thanks guys for the help. Pulled the T/S switch out and found I do have an issue with the hazard portion of the switch. One thing I thought was unusual about my swith is that it is thickly coated with a white grease around the switching components. I can't believe that this is normal.

Thanks again,

Craig

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 Flasher Button/ Tilt-Tele Column Issue

It's NOT uncommon for certain electrical parts to bear silicone grease (can be white in color). Reason, when moving parts need lubrication, silicone gets the job done plus it helps thwart surface oxidation...