Turn signal won't cancel

[beetleman217]

My turn signal works but does not cancel when returning the steering wheel. Even though the signal mech seems perfect, I swapped it for another and that didn't help. So if two turn signals don't work, it must be the cancellation ring on the steering wheel. But that seems to be intact as well with no signs of breakage or other flaws. So what could be the problem?

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If all else fails, stop using all else

1977 Westfalia
1961 Beetle

[Wildthings]

Buy a loud flasher.

[BayCreamPuff]

What's the clearance between your switch housing and your steering wheel?

Shouldn't be more than a few millimeters.

_________________
Cream Puff
'79 CA Stock FI Deluxe Campmobile

Earl Grey
'87 GoWesty 2.2 Westfalia

Marsha Mellow
'00 Eurovan VR6 Full Camper

[a-marshal]

the entire plastic pod that houses the signal and wiper arms can slide down the column, try sliding it back up. Don't know about other years but my 73 has two Philips screws that hold the pod together, one accessed from either side, slide pod up tighten screws problem gone..
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-Ob. vehicle info....
1973 Westy w/ '74 1.8 liter / PDSI (type3?) carbs / 009 distributor / pertronix

[Tcash]

[busdaddy]

How about a pic of your signal switch looking down into it when the wheel is off?, there's a few plastic parts and a spring that break often.
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[beetleman217]

a-marshall's point was interesting- -perhaps the tang on the ring simply doesn't reach the white cancellation piece in the mech. So I took out the hex head screw that holds the entire unit in place and it did slide up, decreasing the gap. I then tightened it back and was sure my troubles were over, but unfortunately it still doesn't cancel.

Busdaddy - the mech is not the issue, I have two and they both are good with all the plastic bits that tend to break intact and the spring in place.

Bentley says to install the wheel with the tang to the left - but I don't see why. It should cancel in any position as the steering wheel is turned, shouldn't it?
_________________
If all else fails, stop using all else

1977 Westfalia
1961 Beetle

[kreemoweet]

[Tcash]

So you have the Turn signal Switch from ch. no. 2142 164 060 1974-79

Maybe the switch just needs a good cleaning?

[504]

That spring that is shown on the photo in the last post popped off while I was backing out of my driveway. One of the plastic tabs that is hangs on broke off. The turn signals still work normally.
Do you think i can still drive it like this without any major issues? What does that retainer/spring do?
I'm heading out of town next week, hoping I can still drive the bus.
Thanks!

[vwwestyman]

You'll be alright. That is part of the cancellation system discussed earlier in the thread.
_________________
Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[504]

Thank you! I was hoping that was the case. They never did cancel anyway.

[Auggie West]

Yay!
I just got mine cancelling thanks to this thread!
I won’t be the old guy driving miles down the road with my blinker on anymore!!!😁
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Auggie
‘87 Vanaru Westy (Lola)
My new home!

Dual port 1600
'69 Westy (Pearl)
My former summer home, and has traveled to 31 states, mostly via the scenic route, so far...