turn signal replacement

[Banjo]

Ok, my 68 F-100 has a late 70s column and I have it apart and want to replace switch, as I keep fighting turn signal problems (they may or may not work, mostly not).  It appears I have to remove whole assy including wires and connector???  Will replacement have wires/connector already attached and where should I get one?  I have unscrewed my turn signal switch and wanted to ask before I go further.  Tried to post pix, but my Kodak easy share is anything but easy and I can't change sizes to put pix on here.  
So, basically, I need thoughts on this subject please, thx, banjo.

[fordman]

i would get a new switch before taking the old one out. when you buy the switches it is usually the switch with the wires all the way to th bottom of the column.

[Banjo]

fordman, considering the inside of this replaced column was marked "D8......., etc", I'm viewing this as 1978 or so column, who would you suggest sells highest quality turn signal switch?  I recently went through the Chinese ignition switch poor fittings dilemma and for an extra 30 was able to finally find a true motorcraft and it was so wonderful.  That fixed my "wouldn't turn off" dilemma and now I want to fix my blinkers/turn signals once and for all, so I want to get a good one????  I guess I'd try and take this stock one apart and clean the contacts but can't tell how the dang thing comes apart?  All I cold gigure out was undo the 3 screws and begin pulling entire switch assy out but I stopped because I was unsure if I should try to take the switch apart and change contacts or clean or what.  I'm used to the having to turn my signals off, but I need some turn signals although I usually use my arm, lots of folks are so untrained nowdays they don't know what arm signals are??

[Banjo]

anyone have any suggestions on highest quality turn signal switch for a late 70s column?  I just tried cleaning and cyling mine bunches to include pushing down, etc and changing the fuze (that wasn't blown) and still no luck.  Have already changed flasher twice now. They worked fine, and got harder and harder to activate and now just will not come on.  I have pulled the entire switch out of the column now, so I can carry it in to stores and matchup to photos, or is it best to avoid a Napa?  Don't think dealerships would have or be able to get anything from late 70s anymore?

[fordman]

the best oen to get is the ones made in the usa. i do not know who has them though. one of the vendors surely has a usa made one. napa should be good auto parts. check the mad in name on the box though. you will need one fo ra 78 ford turck or bronco.

[70_F100]

When I needed one, I went to http://www.shee-mar.com/

I've had it in for about 4 years now, and it still works perfectly!!!

[Banjo]

apparently the shee-mar webcite doesn't work.

[fordman]

works for me. clear your cookies and try again. ummm cookies.

[91Bear]

apparently the shee-mar webcite doesn't work.

Try this one and skip the frames.  That website design may have worked in 1995, but not now.

www.shee-mar.com/fordtrk/f100.html

[Banjo]

joy of all joys.  Ordered an American made one through NAPA, was $83 and still no turn signals.  HOWEVER, there is a marked change.  Now, as long as I hold the brake pedal, the left turn dash indicator stays on (not at the rear of truck only on the dash indicator).  The rear lights both still blink when hazards are applied.  Have changed the fuze.  I'm speculating, since the situation DID change (some) with the left turn indicator staying on (not blinking) when the brake pedal is applied, the new Turn Signal Switch likely will fix my problem, but perhaps one of the wires is different???  What do you think???  I'm really at my wits end on this turn signal problem.  Banjo.

[Banjo]

one thing I was not clear on above.  The left turn dash indicator light stays solid (no blinking) as long as I hold the brake pedal down, regardless of turn signal stalk being activated (or not) and regardless of which direction turn signal stalk is activated (has no effect).  does this sound like some crossed wire in the new switch, it is a switch for an 80 model (replaced column) plugged directly into stock 68 wiring harness and the previous one worked fine till the turn signal started going on the fritz and then just quick working entirely.

[fordman]

somewhere the wiring has a feedback loop in it. which means the wires somewhere are touching shorting together to make this happen to you. since the new switch didnt fix it. i would check your wiring and make sure soemthing hasnt chaffed and is touching another wire or something liek that. or maybe the tss wires are in the wrong holes in your trucks plug.

[Banjo]

what's striking me as odd, is it does it with the brake pedal activation and it's the left turn dash indicator only, no rear turn signal on back of truck.  BUT, before, with the old turn signal switch, it didn't do that, and that was only 2 days ago.  because I have no neutral safety switch and the steering wheel is off AND the truck is about 4 feet from the side of my house, I'm VERY paranoid about cranking it even though I know it's in park and it might be in gear and start to move, so in both case, old and new turn signal switch, I was cranking with brake on (automatic transmission).  Only with the new turn signal switch did this weird "left dash indicator staying on until brake is lifted and is independent of turn signal stalk (lever) syndrome" begin.....I really think it must be 1 wire or so off between the new replacement switch and the old replacement switch.

[fordman]

yea it does sound like it is one wire off one way or another. i got a quick nap and can actualy see words that are typed and understand better now too.

[qmcdugan]

I did mine alst year. I took my time and worked carefully. There are a lot of sharp edges that can cut into the insulation of the wire.






The wires were plenty long enough and I made a diagram of the coupling with the which colored wire goes where.and compaired that to what is on the female coupling side. I hope the pics help a little. Those collar retaing nuts can be a little tricky. If ya need help with that I can offer help there too. Mike