turn signal switch access

[escobar]

76' CJ5 . Guys am I looking at this wrong? Got the steering wheel pulled, hoping I can shine up the t signal contacts. I have this notched plate in the way that seems like it won't budge. Does the whole stinkin' shaft have to be pulled?! Any tricks I'm not seeing here. Thanks guys.

 

[jeffgtoman]

Sounds like a steering wheel lock plate. Does the steering wheel lock when you take the key out? If so, you're looking at the lock plate. There is a special tool to remove it. A special bolt screws into the threads at the top of the steering column. Then an upside down U goes over it followed by a nut. That pushes the lock plate down and compresses the spring under it so you can slide the c-clip up and off the shaft. I've done it before without the tool but it's no fun. Can you post a pic?

 

[escobar]

All I have is my phone so I can't post pics although I can send one to your email if you can help I.d this thing. My sigs are messing up and I know its the switch and ign going bad.

My email is escobarclan@vzw.blackberry.net if you want to send me a blank email, I'll reply with the picture. I'm one step away from a cutting torch.......

 

[CJ]

Use a tool (U-Bar) or get another to help you. Two people can do it without the U-Bar.

See this thread -->> http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/turn-indicator-problems-1260/

The first few pictures on this page explain how to get the lock plate off -->> Tilt Steering Column Wobble

This page also -->> Tilt Column Repair

Might want to tighten up the tilt while you have it apart (if it is at all loose).

 

[escobar]

Good links Cj, Thank you.

I don't have tilt but after looking at the picture of the u bolt I'm going to have to weld up something of the like.

That's just what I needed to see. Btw, You're THE MAN.

 

[IOPort51]

Search: steering wheel | Steering Wheel Lock Plate | AutoZone.com

looks like this

 

[cerrajero]

as usuall IO and CJ are right......the tool is a compression ring tool.... simple but a pain.....turn it just enough to get a flathead underneath the ring to twist (some of the ring ) out of the groove.....if trouble i use 2 flatheads......1 to push it down.....holding the screwdriver...take another flathead push the ring up on the 1st flathead...( like a ramp ) then work it around....

but question .....whats wrong with the turn signal

and if your going that far you might as well check out the rest..

need to change keys?

 

[cerrajero]

sorry.....the ring is in the pic between the screwdriver blades....the other pic is how i "ramp" the ring out of the groove

 

[escobar]

Well my turn signals aren't working right at all. My fronts aren't doing anything whatsoever and my rears come on and stay on without blinking. I've chased the fronts as good as I can to the switch. They are new with good grounds where they're mounted.

I'm going to shine up and lithium the contacts as a last resort.

The ign assembly likes to stick. You have to pull it back from start to keep from riding the bendix/fly wheel. I think the contacts are doing some funny things with my lights too- as well as the aux not working when I turn the key back to it. Gonna shoot it too to see if its salvageable.

I imagine that I'm gonna be forking some money out for new parts.

Apparently Jeeps and the Army still have a lot in common. Hope for the best- plan for the worst.

THX for the tips and pics guys.

 

[CJ]

Well my turn signals aren't working right at all. My fronts aren't doing anything whatsoever and my rears come on and stay on without blinking. I've chased the fronts as good as I can to the switch. They are new with good grounds where they're mounted.

I'm going to shine up and lithium the contacts as a last resort.

The ign assembly likes to stick. You have to pull it back from start to keep from riding the bendix/fly wheel. I think the contacts are doing some funny things with my lights too- as well as the aux not working when I turn the key back to it. Gonna shoot it too to see if its salvageable.

I imagine that I'm gonna be forking some money out for new parts.

Apparently Jeeps and the Army still have a lot in common. Hope for the best- plan for the worst.

THX for the tips and pics guys.

Huh?

1st) What exactly are wrong with the turn signals? (yes I read the last few post - but please explain again)
2 nd) The starting system is completely separated form the lighting system - they cannot (under normal circumstances) influence each other.
3 rd) Do you have any trouble shooting equipment? Meter or test light?
4 th) Most IMPORTANTLY, do you have a Factory Shop Manual?

Just want to try and get this CJ going...

 

[escobar]

The ignition switch may or may not be complicating the turn signals. I'm not sure how its possible that the jeep can run yet keep the signals from powering up- but if you wiggle the key the back left signal will blink- sometimes. Both brake lights work unless the turn signal lever is off center (understandably), but if the lever is up, for instance, then the right goes completely off and doesn't blink. The front running/park lights are fine but don't blink or do anything at all (yes, correct bulbs)

It doesn't look like the p.o. has altered anything in the wiring- except putting the headlights on a relay for bright and dim- which I like.

I have both test light and dvm.

No manual- going on diagrams online but seriously considering springing for one.

 

[cerrajero]

Huh?

1st) What exactly are wrong with the turn signals? (yes I read the last few post - but please explain again)
2 nd) The starting system is completely separated form the lighting system - they cannot (under normal circumstances) influence each other.
3 rd) Do you have any trouble shooting equipment? Meter or test light?
4 th) Most IMPORTANTLY, do you have a Factory Shop Manual?

Just want to try and get this CJ going...

x2....
is the turn signal "clicking"?

 

[escobar]

If you mean the lever, yes- it is but not as "snappy" as I like, feels more like its thumping onto the lift ramp loosely. That's mostly what I was asking here- accessing past the plate to get to the assembly.

Flashers are new (I also swapped after install to make sure I didn't get a bad one) contacts in the slots are clean and shiny.

Since the switch needs attention I'm just attacking that first to get it out of the way. I'm sure I'm gonna have to run down the harness with my tester though.

 

[escobar]

Ok- I made a tool to remove the ring and plate. I hope people can use this post.

Find some flat metal, something strong but that you're able to bend on a vise. It needs to be about 1 1/4" wide 5 inches long. Measure to center and drill a 9/16" hole. Put the steering wheel nut back on the threads and screw down about half way on the threads. Measure from plate to the bottom of the nut. Mine came out to just a hair under 1 1/2". That's the measurement for the tools 'legs'. Go back and scratch a bend guiding line in the metal on each end. Put it in a vise and bend. Use pliers to start the bend only and a hammer for the rest. It ensures a sharp bend which has a lot more strength than a lazy one.

You should have a "U" shaped tool with the legs around 1 1/2" each and the "head" with a hole the size of the steering shaft threads that's around 2" from leg to leg.

Use the steering wheel nut to compress the plate and the ring comes up easily. On reinstall you should be able to grab threads to pull the shaft back up. If not then grind or cut the legs in 1/16" until the nut can grab back on. I used the nut and washer for removal- then just the nut for reinstall which allowed me to grab enough threads easily.

I didn't want to buy a tool that wouldn't get used often- so I made one, for FREE- and its mine for life.

Oh btw, the turn signal switch is shot. Might as well get a new one as well as an ign switch too.

 

[cerrajero]

good to hear that you found out what the problem is.....


i would love to see a pic of your new tool invention

 

[escobar]

I can't link pics with my phone, but if you want a pic of the tool I can email it to you. It just looks like a U with a hole at the base.

 

[twcj8]

Been there, done that. I live in a kind of small town, 10,000 pop. Auto zone has those tools also that they lend you. Deposit then you get it back when you return the tool. The job is hard & maddening with just two screw drivers. By your self it will make your *** want a dip of snuff. Glad you got it fix, if you are like me, tomorrow it will be something else. good luck on the next project.

 

[escobar]

Yup. Just found out I'm flooding after shut off. One venturi pours gas out for about 4 min. New thread coming, never worked on a MC2150.