68 Turn signal problem

[Dale C.]

Need a little help on a turn signal problem. Left and right turn signals just stopped working. Mechanically the handle seems to be working, feel wise. I hope it’s not that turn signal switch in the steering wheel column. Have read some of the older threads on the flasher over heating of the switch cam but I am hoping it’s a possible circuit problem in that the backup lights don’t work and they are off the same fuse as the turn signal lights. All other wiring off the fuse box to seems to work. The emergency flashers also work fine. Don’t know if they are cutting out the turn signal operation as it’s supposed to and then not restoring them. Is there a different flasher from the turn flasher? Hope it’s just the fuse. It looks O.K. from the floorboard, but I am having trouble getting it out and I don’t want to break the glass as has happened before. Should I jump the circuit to see if that 20 amp fuse is the culprit or could this do more harm than good? Big question, has there been any inprovement in the repo switches from the ones mentioned in the old threads??
Thanks
Dale

[Peter L.]

Re: 68 Turn signal problem

Dale - There are 2 flashers on the '68. One for the turn signal system and one for the hazard signal system. Pete

[Gerard F.]

Re: 68 Turn signal problem

Dale,

Take a look at this thread in the archives:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=81212&highlight=Signal+switch&uid=6944

The last photo in the first post is a wiring diagram of the 67-68 signal switch.

There are actually 3 circuits which go up through the switch in the column: the signal circuit, the hazard circuit and the brake circuit.

When you push in the hazard switch it disconnects the signal circuit to the signal lights and replaces it with a direct wired hazard circuit.

The hazard switch is a good way to check your bulb elements. If you have hazard lights front and rear, and if you have brake lights on the rear (without the hazard), and no signal lights, it is probably the fuse or flasher in the signal circuit.

If you have no signal or brake lights to the rear, then the problem is in the little cam on the switch.

I have had the Shee-Mar switch on my 67 for over 2 1/2 years with no problems. This is after going through 2 imported ones in a year.

The trick in replacing the switch is to use a shorter screw and lock washer for the screw which holds the lever to the little cam. If you reuse the longer original screw, the lever will flap forward and aft and eventually screw up the contacts of the cam to the switch.

[Terry M.]

Re: 68 Turn signal problem

Based on what Dale described in the OP it sounds simply like the turn signal flasher has failed. Now all Dale needs is the proper flasher and the location of it. If he had a 1969 to 1972 I could tell him those answers, but for a 1968 I would be guessing for each.

I know the 1968 AIM will show where the turn signal flasher is located, and the Owner's Manual may also. I expect the Owner's manual will tell him which turn signal flasher he needs -- but we are guys and we don't read books.

[Dale C.]

Re: 68 Turn signal problem

Jerry and Terry
Hope you are right that it's the flasher. I see the emergency flasher is on the fuse box and the turn signal (323) is on the passenger side. The inop back up lights is what, I hope, makes it not a switch and cam problem. I do have brake lights, correct emergency flashers, and a steady left turn signal light in the instrument pannel when light switch is on. Jerry I did look at your post before, great job.
Thanks
Dale

[Dale C.]

Re: 68 Turn signal problem

I found a 552 flasher in the turn signal side and C/C calls for it to be a 323, any problem here? Better check whats in the fuse box.
Dale

[Terry M.]

Re: 68 Turn signal problem

The turn signal guru advises me (I don't read books either) that your turn signal flasher should be either a Signal Stat 323 or Tungsol 145. The best of MY recollection the 552 is a "heavy Duty" flasher that is not affected by the number of bulbs, and is correct for the hazard flashers in your application.

If you get beyond function here there are all sorts of details to the flashers that are important in judging, including date codes, but at this point it would appear to me function is the main goal.

[Gerard F.]

Re: 68 Turn signal problem

I found a 552 flasher in the turn signal side and C/C calls for it to be a 323, any problem here? Better check whats in the fuse box.
Dale

Dale,

I believe the #552 is the hazard flasher which should be on the fuse block. Maybe you have them switched around. On a 67, which has the same switch in the column, the signal flasher should be the #323 or #145.

However, if you are just going for function, you could use a generic signal flasher for your year from your local Auto Parts store.

Many years ago, I used a heavy duty generic signal flasher when I was pulling a boat trailer with the 67, because of the extra lights on the rear.
I left it in for many years until I got into the NCRS judging mode. It worked just fine for those many years.

I also thought I had a problem with the signal switch just recently. Turned out that the connector to the signal flasher in the clip with the capacitor, had come loose. Reconnected it, and I was good to go.

[Dale C.]

Re: 68 Turn signal problem

What makes it tough is when it's more than one thing. So far it's a bad flasher under pax dash and a bad wire harness to the left front turn lite. That's still better than a switch and cam. The back up lights still don't work. Maybe it's a bad replacement turn flasher as it's an old orgional 323 and it flashes really fast. Ordered an new version and will see if that works and restores the backup lights.
Thanks again for help
Dale

[Paul O.]

Re: 68 Turn signal problem

Dale

For the back-up lights I would disconnect the transmission switch and then jumper the connector and see if the lights illuminate. It could just be an out of adjustment switch or a bad one.


Paul 18046