I have been shaking the dust/rust/bugs out of my 1968 GS Cal. This includes troubleshooting some electrical gremlins. I pulled the steering wheel today, as the horn isn't blowing, and the hazard light switch isn't working either. The horn issue was definitely caused by dirty contacts in the steering wheel, although it sounds like I might have one dead horn too (so sad). Anyhow, I can see there is a crack in the turn signal switch (still works), and I was thinking I would remove and glue it and clean the contacts. But the round plastic bit doesn't seem to budge? The chassis manual just seems to say "remove it" which makes be think is should just slide off? Am I missing something? The plastic is 50+ years old, so I would hate to have it explode and then I need to find another...
Its connected to the wires that run down the bottom of the column. Should remove the 3 screws and the button for the hazards and get some play. but cannot be completely removed until the wires are pulled through.
I second this, i ended up straping the wires as horizontal as i could as well so it would slide through the column easier (while still being gentle enough i didnt mess up the wires)
Thanks for your help! It really doesn't budge. If I had a spare I would try prying, but expect that will cause it to come part.
Heres what it looks like behind there. Slow, easy and patient. Can you get a dentist mirror in there to see whats going on? Good luck, Mike
Wow! That's an awesome resource. So the round disk bit that is made of white plastic that I think is the cancelling cam for the turn signals, that should just slide off? There is no trick to unlocking it? I have put quite a bit of upward force on it, without it budging... Thanks again to all for your help.
That is actually for the horn to interface with the steering wheel. It may be held on by a snap ring. Push down and it might be in a groove just under the front lip. Some cars just slid on and off
Thanks Briz, I think it might be both of those things. I did get it to come off, by repeatedly gently prying (not that gently) around the whole perimeter. Some kind of dark grease had turned into glue over the last 50+ years. I am thinking I will just replace the whole turn signal switch, as its cracked in at least 4 places. Another slippery slope, as I only took the wheel off due to the horn not blowing! Thanks again to all.
When I replaced the one in the Riv it required to carefully remove all the pins from the plug and push the wires through the column then reattach the plug body
I was preparing to use that method also (I have a lot of electronics experience), but I found this online at a local auto parts store: https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...skylark?q=1968+buick+turn+signal+switch&pos=2 This appears to replace the one piece of plastic that is broken and "only" costs $10.49. I will go look at it tomorrow and if it doesn't look too junky it may fix this issue. I see AC Delco made this part (Part # C6287A) as a service item also, but it looks to be "out of stock" and three times the price (probably worth it). Thanks again to all.
I purchased the Dorman 49300 replacement turn signal cancel cam, which actually includes two different style castings. The plastic is good quality (Made in China), and includes new springs. The contacts from the old cancel cam transfers, so those springs and the brass contact plates are switched. This is good from my point of view, since these are old school high quality parts, unlikely to be correctly reproduced. Overall, it fixed the broken turn signal switch, without pulling the wires through the column, and for a total cost $12.00.
The horn wasn't working at all when I took it apart. I cleaned the contacts on the horn pad (steering wheel push button) and then it did make a sickly sound. Right now, It's still disassembled as I am hoping to clean up the exposed part of the column a bit and do SOMETHING about my horrible cracked and yuck steering wheel... I will let you know if it works when it goes back together, but I am optimistic.
FYI, The horn works perfectly. I did have to stretch the little spring a bit to accommodate the new steering wheel setup. It all works now and looks good too. Hurray. Now for the rest of the car!
My problems are just begining, turn signal stalk been loose a long time.Once I put a wood wheel on it I noticed a crack in plastic.. Now turn signal indicator on dash is fluttering. Light is weak and indicating when stalk hasnt even been touched. Still works tho. Are you saying the cam can be replaced without buying the whole harness?
Yes, for sure. I found this item in stock at my local O'reilly. https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...0/v/a/13751/automotive-car-1968-buick-skylark There were two bits of plastic included, one that fit my car. I transferred the metal contacts and springs from the old part (cleaned them first). put it all back together and I am in business.
