Indicator and light switch

[afflora]

The indicator switch has gone out on my 77 Spider 2000. It worked but you had to physically return it to neutral. Now the indicators don't work. I looked at IAP for a replacement but they are asking $339 for a replacement. Is there any way this can be fixed
Thanks

[Farace]

The first thing to try is shooting some contact cleaner in the slot. All the turn signal switch amounts to is a couple of brass contacts on springs riding on and between some flat brass plate. In the middle, they're between the flat contacts and they ride over them when the switch is moved. They're lubricated by grease. Shoot a little (plastic-safe) contact cleaner in there. Don't use TV tuner cleaner, as it contains mineral oils.

The turn signal lever is attached to a spring that wraps once around the steering shaft. When the wheel is turned, the spring pulls the lever back to center. The lever not cancelling would probably be from the spring being either broken or stretched-out, or the steering shaft being too smooth.

[jeremyburnan]

Agree totally with Farace's advice. This was a job I did early on in my current restoration. My indicator unit was totally loose and unworkable. Remove the plastic cowlings from the steering column. I did not take out the unit, despite the lack of space for my head between steering wheel and windscreen. Make sure the contacts are effective - emery will be fine. The spring must be pulled around the steering column a COMPLETE turn. In fact it's a bit more - as the ends cross as they are fixed to their mountings. The spring does three jobs: it provides a secure "on" position on each side, it provides self cancelling, it also pulls the flying (ie non-fixed) part of the unit slightly off its N/S axis so that the contacts marry - ie the hinge is deliberately not tight. there is a hole in the allow casting and a channel around the column through which the spring is guided. Add the compound recommended. Getting the spring back on to the tiny hook mountings is a real fiddle, and I do recommend disconnecting the battery. My Spider is 1976/7 and I am 100% certain that the unit is original. It now works perfectly. As for the distinct possibility of a stretched spring - replace if you can or (at risk of recommending a "bodge") hook it up slightly inboard from one end.

Hope this of use.

Jerry

Spider 2000 Vel 1977
75 2.0L TS Vel 1989

[bbalanoff]

I read the previous threads on the indicator switch. I was attempting to re-attach the spring as described...the original one looks fine but looked as though it had broken off at an end. So, I attached the spring, and voila, it turned bright red, and burned off the same end. I am the second owner of this 78 spider. What next?
Brian Balanoff

[ossodiseppia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbalanoff I read the previous threads on the indicator switch. I was attempting to re-attach the spring as described...the original one looks fine but looked as though it had broken off at an end. So, I attached the spring, and voila, it turned bright red, and burned off the same end. I am the second owner of this 78 spider. What next? Brian Balanoff

[Farace]

Yow! Each end of the spring attaches to a loop of wire (sort of resembling a miniature Christmas ornament hanger/hook) that is attached to a hole in a plastic part. There shouldn't be any kind of voltage on the spring at all, but it seems you're picking up voltage at one end and grounding the spring around the steering column. Look if you can underneath the plastic part and make sure that no part of that wire loop or the spring can touch the brass plate beneath it. There is a spring-loaded brass contact that rides on that plate, and that should be the only thing that touches it. I'm going by what I remember; I'll try to look at my spare switch tomorrow and see if I can see any other potential problem.

[bbalanoff]

I've checked out the wiring and it looks fine...I think my problem lies in the routing of the spring. I'm still a little confused about that. I don't see any obvious path that it should take. With the wheel neutral, the upper attachment is still solid; it's the attachment on the left of the wheel that has come off. I think when I tried to wrap it around the column, it may have touched one of those brass contacts. So, any further details on how to wrap the spring?
Brian

[bbalanoff]

Ah, never mind the last post and thanks for the help. Apparently, there is only one correct direction to wrap it around the column. If done the wrong way, the little hook on the bottom can be pulled towards and on top of the lower brass connection of the signal switch.
Brian