Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

I'm working on a dozen things at once trying to get my '63 Suburban ready for inspection. I have non-working tail lights (dual filament bulb checks out OK), and the turn signal is not working correctly. The turn signal lever will not stay in position, right or left, unless held there. When held there, the appropriate front signal turns on but does not blink; nothing from the rears w/ turn signals or brakes. I am starting to work my way through the diagnostics on Jolly's pages, but I strongly suspect the in-the-column turn signal switch is broken. IF so, my understanding is a '63 replacement switch is a direct plug-in. Anyone been down this rabbit hole? I'd prefer to keep the existing steering column if possible.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

Update - Jolly's pages are SOOOOOO helpful! i realized the firewall cable was disconnected somehow; Plugging that back together gave me a functional turn signal front and rear; turn signal lever sticks as should in left (down) mode, but has to be held up in right mode. Brake signal works on left but not right; I'm troubleshooting right rear brake signal.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

Yes, 62burb, I have. There is a company that makes a reproduction switch that is a direct replacement for your switch. 1963-1966 GMC and 1963 only Chevrolet use the 2452507 switch. It is a pot-metal housing type switch that incorporates the upper mast jacket bearing, the horn contact asm. and the cam and contacts for turn signal switch. The 64-66 Chevrolet switch can be used only if the metal housing from a Chevrolet column is used in conjunction. I purchased the last 2452507 switch nos GMC from a dealer in West Memphis, Arkansas about 20 yrs ago. Good luck in finding your switch.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

in addition, bob's chevy trucks have a replacement that while not the original pot metal base housing, does look to have been designed to replace the GMC switch. You will have to reuse the upper mast jacket bearing and horn contact but be careful about the wiring hook up. You may have to disregard the color coding and use a test light to correctly connect the circuits. I hope this is of some assistance.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

Take off horn button and horn parts and observe operation of the lever to determine right turn lever issue. Sometimes a mechanical issue can be fixed. But the plastic/nylon parts involved are hard to restore when cracked/broken.

You are troubleshooting brake issue. FYI or reminder: Brake switch sends signal to T/S unit. Flasher sends flash to T/S unit. T/S unit is a router. It shuts off brake light signal to allow flash for whatever turn is signaled. So test brake lights, with no turn indicated, to see if they both come on. If they do, test probe the applicable wires/terminals to see if voltage is present, using explanation of operation as a guide.

Notes:
1. This lever problem is right side, same as brake issue side. Clue??? Don't know.
2. Shine up the brass male and female contacts of that firewall connector mating pair.
3. On sale. Quick fix if it's the actual electrical switch part of the assembly.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

I pulled the horn components, but can't get to the TS assembly w/o pulling the steering wheel. Do I want to do that?

In my inexperience, some of info on Jolly's page comes across as confusing. For example,

"Now on the pedal mount you should find the stop light switch, it has two wires. Is there any power at the Stop light switch?
One wire should have power, if not trace the wire back to the fuse box & repair as needed."

I have an orange and a whit wire to the brake switch, and both have 12 volts. The orange wire blade connector had overheated or arced at some point, so I replaced the connector and cleaned up the connections. I set up a long ground to the taillights, and I am getting some brake light action; weirdly the turn signal lights that had been working aren't now!

Also, pictured is a ?switch at the bottom of the steering column; anyone tell me what it is and why only one connector is plugged in; nothing available that seems to go there.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

So I pulled the steering wheel to sort out the TS mechanism. 55 years of new Mexico heat really fried this plastic; very powdery looking. And small loose bits, never a good sign. It seems to have lost the small horns that keep it in position once flicked on. I'll check with my garage to see what degree of TS function is required in a vehicle of this age; if it flashes while held in position, maybe i can get it on the road temporarily? I am ordering the replacement switch, so the saga will continue.

On a brighter note, I attached a long ground wire to the rear bulbs (popped out the holders) and they light up with the brakes. the bulbs that came with it had short pigtails from the bases; a grounding fix I wonder?

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

Switch at bottom of column looks like a neutral safety switch. Possibly the two empty terminals aren't needed. You would need to look at a wiring diagram.
Wiring issues can be a real challenge, at least for me.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

Sorry, should have said remove wheel. The brake switch is just an on-off switch. Power comes in on one terminal and goes out the other when switch is activated. Doesn't matter which is which. Power then goes to the T/S and eventually to the brake bulbs. Be sure stop switch is operating properly.

A new T/S switch and fixing the grounds sounds like you will have it all solved. The ground is ALWAYS an issue. The bulb base touches the socket, the socket touches the housing, the housing is screwed to body, body bolted to frame, frame cable to battery negative. A long and tortuous path that needs refurbished now and then. The test ground jumper you did proves that. You can do things, like that wire stuck in there, to add to the ground contact. But shining it to clean metal, new hardware and a coating over some of it is best.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

That pigtail use to be longer (6-8 inches approx.). U-Haul use to installed them in car and truck to provide a way to connect to their trailer lights.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

I have been searching the forum for a tear down process on the turn signal unit and steering column; I've seen a mention of being careful to not lose any bearings (I can see them barely visible with the steering wheel removed), and that the Chevy signal cup is a much better configuration fit with the Brother's signal switch I've ordered. But not sure how to safely proceed, and install and match up wiring. Is there a thread out there that covers this that I can't find?

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

Your user name is 62Burb. Your post says you have a 63 Burb?

Here are the instructions from the 1963 shop manual.
1. Remove steering wheel
2. Remove lever arm attaching screw and lever arm
3. Remove three screws attaching switch assembly to switch housing
4. Disconnect switch wiring connector from chassis wiring harness connector and two harness retaining clips.
5. Remove directional signal assembly and upper horn bearing from housing.

If I remember, this bearing is gently pryed out. You may have a puller that will work.
If you have original connectors, then the wiring "match up" is automatic. If wiring has been tampered with and colors changed, you will have to figure out each wire by it's function by testing or following the wire. The new T/S should have the correct colors to compare to a diagram to see what their function is. If you need more help, let us know.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

Haha you got me! When I joined this fine board more than 5 years ago I had no GMC; I had previously owned a '62 Suburban that I inherited from my FIL and drove for a few years in the '90's (he died at 65, the Burb died at almost 500,000 miles). I had thoughts of starting again with a GMC, and had been intermittently searching for one when I came across the '63 Im now starting work on.

BTW, a thorough shine-up of the brake lights did get them working. Once I have the replacement switch, I can see how they match up.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

So two steps forward/one step back; I received the Brothers '63 switch that you linked me to, AZKEN, which fit very nicely. It matched what was in the steering column, with six wires 9the truck connector has 8). The horn relay and auto shift indicator had separately wired connectors, which I duplicated with new wire as they were in poor shape. Once I replaced the flasher relay, TS work as designed, front and rear - very excited! However, now the park lamps front and rear, and the brake lights, don't work at all!

I followed Jolly's troubleshooting guide - key info was that if there was 12v power on the yellow and green wires at the firewall connector when the brake pedal was depressed, the steering column is not the problem.

The fuses check out, the brake switch checks out. I'm concerned that those lights that are not working now worked before the TS switch install. Not excited at tearing into the steering column again! lots of finessed fitting back together in my experience. What to do!

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

HOLD THE PHONE! My SIL, a talented and methodical young man with extensive restoration experience, spent a couple of hours trouble shooting and found two fixable problems. ONE: The light switch was filled with fine new Mexico sand, that had ground down some terminals, and made for hit-and-miss operation. TWO: The fuse block concealed a mess in back of it; two hot wire had crossed and made for intermittent operation on certain circuits. Both were cleaned and made operation; ALL LIGHTS WORK! i greatly admire his methodical approach; I don't know how I would have done it.

The only thing I will replace is the light switch; although currently operable, it is too worn to be reliable. Any recommendations? And thanks to all for the invaluable help I have found here. Tune up this week, inspection and registration next week and baby here I come!

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

I'm looking online at a NOS Delco Remy headlight switch, shows D-1518, 1995096. Listing says 1957-63 Chevy; anyone know if this is correct? I'd prefer NOS if possible.

Re: Turn Signal Switch kaput?
 

I just went down the turn signal rabbit hole for my 65. I want to thank those who contributed to this thread, saving me lots of frustration, time, and money.