No matter what I do and what position the turn signal stalk is in as soon as the car is started the right turn signal starts blinking and there is no way to turn it off short of removing the flasher unit. Any ideas what gremlin might be causing this issue?
Try wiggling the lever to see if it stops. Mine used to start clicking the flasher for no reason too and wiggling the lever would stop it. I cleaned the switch with compressed air and stopped the problem. I don't think I even removed the wheel.
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'68 Parisienne 2+2 Convertible Matador Red (Resale Red but not for sale).
...you say only when the car is started ? , so car is off and you just open the key do the signals work OK ?
Sorry...to clarify what I should have said is whether the car is running or they key is in the ON position but the car hasn't been started on the right turn signals are on permanently no matter what position the stalk/lever is in. The only way to stop it is to unplug the flasher unit from the fuse box.
seventy2plus2, the car is a '61 Strato Chief.
JC2+2, I tried wiggling the stalk/lever and also putting it thru several cycles since car has been sitting for the last 7 years but so far no change.
My money's on something in the steering column. You could probably unplug the column plug from the harness and it would stop. I suspect either the switch behind the steering wheel is filthy or so worn out that two contacts are touching. Needs cleaning or replacing, is my bet.
If you had tilt, it could be worn wires in the tube now touching, but tilt is pretty rare in a 61. I've had numerous wiring issues with brake and turn signal lights in tilt columns. If I get one now, I set it in one spot and never move it.
I always think it's going to be easy fixing wires in the column, but somehow it never is. I quite often get annoyed and end up swapping the whole column and using or selling the other for parts.
The 61 signals are operated by a Bowden cable that moves a switch located on the mast jacket.
This device is self centering but after many years of use they quite often got dirty and would stick in
the closed position resulting in your problem, the cable can easily slip if the switch is dirty or broken.
Locate the switch on the mast jacket under the dash, it is attached by 2 screws.
Detach the switch from the column you can now operate it by hand for testing........
These are available in reproduction.
cheers
bj
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......big block, 4 speed, bench seat, it doesn't get much better
The 61 signals are operated by a Bowden cable that moves a switch located on the mast jacket. This device is self centering but after many years of use they quite often got dirty and would stick in the closed position resulting in your problem, the cable can easily slip if the switch is dirty or broken.
Locate the switch on the mast jacket under the dash, it is attached by 2 screws. Detach the switch from the column you can now operate it by hand for testing........ These are available in reproduction.
cheers bj
Ah yes, the steel rod. I forgot about those older ones. I had the same type in my 60 Impala, I believe. I think I swapped columns on that, too, just because there was other damage.
