The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Auto Lamp turn signal switch

Just started going thru the electrics on my 47' dash. Its got an Auto Lamp Chicago t/s switch and 2 front signal lights. Can anyone tell me what the thumb wheel on the top of the switch does? How about the small bulb hole on the top of the switch (its not working)? Is that an indicator light? If I pull out the Phillips screws holding the case together is it an easy replacement, or am I in for a bunch of spring loaded cams etc? Thanks guys. Photobucket 29

The "thumb wheel" is for canceling. You position the switch so the wheel rides on the hub of the steering wheel. When you turn it back the other direction it turns it off.
I am not familiar with that particular brand but I have taken some apart with no problem. If you have places for ind. lights on the dash you can use them.

Small "bulb hole" is the indicator. There is a light bulb under it that flashes when the turn signal is on. It flashes either left or right. That "thumb wheel" rubs on the steering wheel hub and cancels the turn signal. The parts inside are simple and straightforward so no worry's. Take it apart and clean it up. Bet it still works if you replace the light bulb and maybe the flasher unit. Replacing the rubber on that wheel is gonna be an issue that I have no solution for. As long as it is not cracked and crumbling I would leave it alone. Think 6 volt for light and flasher if you still are at 6 volts. If you are at 12 then replace the light and flasher with 12 volt items and you are good to go. You might need a second set of tail lights for the rear if they are missing. Was an option or aftermarket install not a factory thing. I added bullet type connectors to my unit when I took it out to clean and fix. Made it easy to put back into service. Just hid them under the dash so no one can see them.

Wow, who would have thought that wheel on the unit did that! Not me.......Crazy smart guys at Auto Lamp Chicago back in the day. Crazy sharp guys at Stovebolt too, thanks guys. On the downside the rubber is gone from around the wheel, I wonder if a guy could run a very careful bead of black rtv silicone around its edge to act as the missing rubber grip? If not, maybe I'm not too old yet to cancel my own turn signal. Maybe.

Maybe an "O" ring the right size? If you can get the wheel out you might be able to fit one. Build up RTV sounds like a messy operation...but it might work.

Maybe Viton o-rings and some adhesive? Or heat-shrink tubing cut to fit?? Sometimes a trip to the autoparts store and maybe Home Depot or a hardware store and a little imagination fixes lots of thingss!