Hi Mike and Christine. Thank for the help. I have the switch out but getting it back in has not been fun. I have decided to stop for know and get some advise on how to get it back in. Thank you. Bob ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike & Christine Trettin" <mtrettin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2002 6:17 PM Subject: Re: IML: need help (1968 Turn Signal Switch) > > Hi All. > > Has anyone on the list ever change the turn signal switch on a 68 imperial > > with the tilt and telescope steering wheel. > > Mine is bad and I can,t figure out how to pull the tube off of the column > I > > do not have the special tool can I make one and how would you make one. > > Thanks. > > Bob > > Bob, > > We have some past IML advice on th esubject collected here: > http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Electrical/turn.htm > > Since the site is still not back to normal, I'll paste the relevant advice > below. > > Good Luck! > > Mike Trettin > 1956 Imperial Sedan, Turquoise > > ___________________________________________________________ > > Question from Larry (1968): > > This is a request for some help with turn signals on my 68 Crown...I've > determined that either the switch or the wires between the switch and the > plug-in, is at fault. My question is: How do I get the switch out of this > tilt steering column? I have removed the 3 screws that hold the switch, and > it is loose but will not come out of the upper end of the tube. The opening > in the top of the tube is just too small for the switch to pass through. > What am I missing?? > > Replies: > > >From Dick: > > I have taken my turn signal switch out of my 68 with tilt-o-scope, but it > was not fun. You have to remove the individual wires from the connector on > the steering column under the dash, and fish them all the way out the top. > You need a special tool to get the steering column back together because you > have to loosen the tilt-o-scope assembly to get the stuff through and out. > If you possibly can, try to repair the switch in place, without removing it. > If you disconnect it electrically, you should be able to pull it up far > enough to work on the contacts. What are your symptoms? > > >From Chris: > > I have replaced my own turn signal switch (in my 67) and it was not easy. > First, find a new switch. My local C-P dealer (Prince in Inglewood, CA) had > one in stock (it looked like it had been on the shelf since 1973). *Before > doing ANY electrical work on any car, always disconnect the battery! * > Second, put the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position (so you can > reinstall it correctly later) and remove it. You need to remove the horn > switch assembly (the chrome crossbars and center ring) and the tilt-a-scope > adjuster (careful! There's a big coil spring back there!). It's all pretty > obvious up to this point. You'll need a steering wheel puller to remove the > actual wheel once you loosen and remove the central nut. Pullers cost about > $10 at any Napa store or similar. Worth having... > > Once the steering wheel is off, you'll see the plastic switch (actually it's > about all you'll see in there). Remove the turn signal lever (there's a > screw holding it on, I believe), then the screws holding in the switch, and > then get out your flashlight and look at the lower end of the steering > column. You'll see the wiring harness coming out the other end (you can > match colors from the top of the column to identify it), and it won't look > small enough to fit up through the steering column, but it does with a > trick: Tie a small but long wire or string around the wires and above the > connector (you'll be using it to guide the new wiring back down, so make > sure the bottom end of the string doesn't come up with the wiring). > > Then, reset the tilting column so it's parallel the whole way. This will > leave as much room as possible. Go back up to the switch and work it out the > top of the column. (It will seem not to fit out the rolled edge of the > column sleeve, but it does.) You'll have to work the wiring up through the > column and you'll be tempted to cut off the connector but it will come out. > Make sure the string stays in the column! When it's out, take a much needed > rest stop, wipe off your brow, and untie the wire or string. Tie it to the > new harness in the same place, then feed the wiring into the column until > the switch is almost in place. Go underneath and use the string to pull the > harness down, and then work the new switch and wiring into position. Plug it > all in, reattach the horn and steering wheel, reconnect the battery and > signal away! > > Follow-up from Larry: > > I do not have a service manual for the 68, so today I stopped by the parts > department at the Chrysler Dealer and got a copy of the exploded view of the > entire steering column. With this bit of added information, I determined > that the switch MUST come through that small opening in the tube....with a > little added effort I did manage to persuade the switch out. The red wire > (current supply) is broken right close to the switch. The switch will not > work even by hooking this red wire together. It may be possible to repair > the switch, but I have not attempted that yet. All of the turn lights worked > properly when I plugged a turn switch from a 69 Road Runner into the > Imperial. No cornering lights of course, and the switch is completely > different. I asked the Chrysler parts mgr. if a replacement switch was > available from Chrysler, and his information tells him that it is. He told > me the price was about $60. Napa tells me that it is also available from > them for $180. I'm not out of the woods yet, but I think I'm headed in the > right direction. > > > > >