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74.maria
Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2024
Posts: 2
Location: Flagstaff
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 5:23 pm Post subject: VW turn signal no longer working 74 super beetle |
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Okay to preface- I got too cocky and thought I could disassemble the steering wheel column all on my own- I recognize my mistake now! I accidentally was pulling too hard on the turn signal assembly and a spring or two came out and this little piece that I don't recognize. Now, my turn signals are not working and it feels very loose- as opposed to it kind of clicking into place when turning left or right. Any advice? Should I give up and just buy a new turn signal assembly (would prefer not to). Anybody recognize this piece or could possibly walk me through how to re-place these parts?
again, I'm sorry I know I should have consulted a more experienced mechanic- it is my first time messing with the steering column on my own!
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 32952
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 7:49 pm Post subject: Re: VW turn signal no longer working 74 super beetle |
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Yes, that brass contact is an important part. There are two of them Your turn signal switch is broken
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297
Last edited by Cusser on Wed Jun 11, 2025 6:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
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jinx758
Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2014
Posts: 994
Location: half a bubble from plumb
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: VW turn signal no longer working 74 super beetle |
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I would suggest sourcing a "good" used one from classifieds or junkyard. Most aftermarket ones don't have good reviews.
West Coast Metric or Wolfsburg West could be acceptable.
I miss Flagstaff. Lived there 3yrs off of Lake Mary Road. Then out in Parks - near the big hole in the ground but never went, that was for tourists. lol
Went to Snowbowl, Cinder Hills, Lowell Observatory, Sedona, Lake Powell, & etc - '89 to '92.
Good times !
Cudos for digging in & turning those wrenches.
Best luck ... stay safe
jinx
_________________
" It's not valuable unless you learn something from an experience. " Henry Ford
It's not unlike the same difference ...
My Craigslist rescued 100 footer :
1971 Standard Bug
1776cc dual port
034 distributor
38mm EGAS Carburetor |
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baldessariclan
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016
Posts: 2001
Location: Wichita, KS
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 5:07 am Post subject: Re: VW turn signal no longer working 74 super beetle |
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I’ve never dug into a turn signal switch that far, but Samba member clockworkbox has — check out his recent post on that subject here: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=803381
You might want to PM him to see if he knows where that part goes, and how to replace - ? Just an idea…
And as others noted above, all the current aftermarket turn signal switches are unfortunately pretty “hit-or-miss” on if they’re going to work right and/or last very long. Sourcing a good used original German switch is probably your best bet, if you can’t fix your current one.
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1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver
baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt... |
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Cusser
Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006
Posts: 32952
Location: Hot Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:00 am Post subject: Re: VW turn signal no longer working 74 super beetle |
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| jinx758 wrote: |
I would suggest sourcing a "good" used one from classifieds or junkyard. Most aftermarket ones don't have good reviews.
West Coast Metric or Wolfsburg West could be acceptable.
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Last Sunday I installed a new (made in China) turn signal switch into my 1971 Super, that one uses wires fished through the body (or Gomers and Goobers use butt connectors under the dash).
So in one way you're luckier because your 1974 Super uses a turn signal switch that plugs in, so you won't have to deal with that issue. Since your photos show you have money to waste on those ugly nails, you can get a brand new quality switch, and possibly install it yourself if you ditch those nails. Don't overtighten those 4 tiny screws !!!!
_________________
1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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Blue69Baja
Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2008
Posts: 1116
Location: Fair Oaks
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 8:50 am Post subject: Re: VW turn signal no longer working 74 super beetle |
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Nice write up! Thanks for taking time to do it.
Here is my video explaining how the turn switch operates and some information about the After Market Junk. It might be helpful to many!
I linked my video starting at the part of the video that explains why some aftermarket units are hard to make work properly.
Link
The full video:
https://youtu.be/P6MG-fqyKRo?si=9oEcMb4ujfZuJMPI
Jim
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69 Baja with a 1914...
72 Super 100% orig...W/ factory air... 56,000mi
Even the spare is original.. |
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LeeFred
Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2023
Posts: 92
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 10:51 am Post subject: Re: VW turn signal no longer working 74 super beetle |
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| Cusser wrote: |
| jinx758 wrote: |
I would suggest sourcing a "good" used one from classifieds or junkyard. Most aftermarket ones don't have good reviews.
West Coast Metric or Wolfsburg West could be acceptable.
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So in one way you're luckier because your 1974 Super uses a turn signal switch that plugs in, so you won't have to deal with that issue. Since your photos show you have money to waste on those ugly nails, you can get a brand new quality switch, and possibly install it yourself if you ditch those nails. Don't overtighten those 4 tiny screws !!!! |
I hope this is just a poor attempt at humor. |
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Tim Donahoe
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012
Posts: 11781
Location: Redding, CA
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: VW turn signal no longer working 74 super beetle |
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I agree with LeeFred.
Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien |
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PiperFixer
Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2024
Posts: 49
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2025 5:08 am Post subject: Re: VW turn signal no longer working 74 super beetle |
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Was going to say, love the nails. (not kidding)
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Orange 72 Super
A&P IA |
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heimlich 
VWNOS.com
Joined: November 20, 2016
Posts: 7452
Location: Houston, Texas
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| Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2025 3:29 pm Post subject: Re: VW turn signal no longer working 74 super beetle |
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Looks like you have a nice turn signal switch made in Germany. Maybe you can fix it? It would be better to fix it than replace it with an aftermarket one.
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