Emergency Flasher system

LarryW

LarryW

Well-known member
Mar 28, 2002
6,047
774
113
Menomonie, WI.
About three years ago, I pulled the emergency flasher and the button came off in my hand. The part that the button screws into broke off inside of the
steering column. So I've been trying to figure a way to hook up some kind of external aftermarket switch that will activate the emergency flasher. I
really don't want to take the steering column apart to fix this. I've looked at the wiring diagram, but my pea brain cannot seem to figure a way to do
this bypass. Anyone out there that has done this? If so, how?
TIA
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
Larry:

I looked into the same thing on a Cadillac that I owned a few years back.

I took the column apart, and used repair parts from Year1.

Other than the PITA involved in the steering wheel removal, the rest was straightforward, and took less time than trying to decode the wiring.

Good luck.

Dolph

DE N8JPC

Wheeling, West Virginia

1977 26’ ex-PalmBeach
1-Ton, Sullybilt Bags, Reaction Arms, 3.70 LSD, Manny Transmission, EV-6010

“The Aluminum and Fiberglass Mistress"

>
> About three years ago, I pulled the emergency flasher and the button came off in my hand. The part that the button screws into broke off inside of the
> steering column. So I've been trying to figure a way to hook up some kind of external aftermarket switch that will activate the emergency flasher. I
> really don't want to take the steering column apart to fix this. I've looked at the wiring diagram, but my pea brain cannot seem to figure a way to do
> this bypass. Anyone out there that has done this? If so, how?
> TIA
> --
> Larry
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Larry,

Changing that is not a big job. I did mine in the autozone parking lot using their borrowed steering wheel puller. The switch assembly was less that
$30.00. The trick is to unplug the able and cut the connector end off. Then attach a string to the remaining wire stubs and pull the assembly out of
the steering column. On the new one tape the connector flat against the wire and attach the string. The pull the string, connector, and wire down
through the column and plug in the connector.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
> About three years ago, I pulled the emergency flasher and the button came off in my hand. The part that the button screws into broke off inside of
> the steering column. So I've been trying to figure a way to hook up some kind of external aftermarket switch that will activate the emergency
> flasher. I really don't want to take the steering column apart to fix this. I've looked at the wiring diagram, but my pea brain cannot seem to
> figure a way to do this bypass. Anyone out there that has done this? If so, how?
> TIA

Larry,

Is the screw still in the steering column? If it is, all you need is a new pull knob. If not, change the signal switch body is not a terrible job.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
'73 Glacier 23 - Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brake with Applied Control Arms
Now with both true Keyless and remote entry
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
> Larry,
>
> Is the screw still in the steering column? If it is, all you need is a new pull knob. If not, change the signal switch body is not a terrible
> job.
>
> Matt

Nope. Came out with the pull knob. Looks like I'm taking the column apart. Thanks to all for your thoughts....though I was hoping for a quick
solution to this. Been working all summer on this thing...getting a little sick of it.
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
I will repeat my earlier posting, It is a simple job to replace it. Too bad you are unable to make the rally. I would bring my puller and replace it
for you. We are looking at 30 to 45 minutes to do the job. My local AZ had them in stock.

Ken
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
> I will repeat my earlier posting, It is a simple job to replace it. Too bad you are unable to make the rally. I would bring my puller and
> replace it for you. We are looking at 30 to 45 minutes to do the job. My local AZ had them in stock.
>
> Ken

Well then, how about Shawnee OK? I can help/observe?
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
We can do it there. My steering wheel puller stays in my coach so I should have it with me. We will need to get the switch assembly ahead of time
from AZ. The AutoZone part numbers 326 and 327 are stuck in my mind. Either will work. One of them has an extra set of contacts for cornering
lights that we will just not plug in. If you go buy the switch assembly simply go down on the steering column and try to plug it in. The important
thing is to make sure it will plug in before we start to install it. GM made two different plug sizes and one is slightly wider between the pins than
the other one. If the plugs match then you know that you have the correct switch assembly.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
> We can do it there. My steering wheel puller stays in my coach so I should have it with me. We will need to get the switch assembly ahead of
> time from AZ. The AutoZone part numbers 326 and 327 are stuck in my mind. Either will work. One of them has an extra set of contacts for
> cornering lights that we will just not plug in. If you go buy the switch assembly simply go down on the steering column and try to plug it in.
> The important thing is to make sure it will plug in before we start to install it. GM made two different plug sizes and one is slightly wider
> between the pins than the other one. If the plugs match then you know that you have the correct switch assembly.

Cool!! Thanks Ken. I'll have the part with me.
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
> > We can do it there. My steering wheel puller stays in my coach so I should have it with me. We will need to get the switch assembly ahead of
> > time from AZ. The AutoZone part numbers 326 and 327 are stuck in my mind. Either will work. One of them has an extra set of contacts for
> > cornering lights that we will just not plug in. If you go buy the switch assembly simply go down on the steering column and try to plug it in.
> > The important thing is to make sure it will plug in before we start to install it. GM made two different plug sizes and one is slightly wider
> > between the pins than the other one. If the plugs match then you know that you have the correct switch assembly.
>
> Cool!! Thanks Ken. I'll have the part with me.

I went to AZ and O'relly's web sight and found nothing with those two numbers. Even combined it with "Emergency flasher" with no result. Are you
sure of those numbers?
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
Not sure if the hazard switch is built into this or not but SW324 should
work.

<
http://www.autozone.com/electrical-and-lighting/turn-signal-switch?filterByKeyWord=blinker+switch&fromString=search&isIgnoreVehicle=false
>

SW326 includes switching for cornering lights.

Then there's this NAPA item that they say is for a '78 Olds Toro,
https://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/p/ECHHSW150/ECHHSW150.

Beats me

I'm aggravated that I didn't check this out closer for you the other day
when I had my column tore apart. I couldn't tell that there was a separate
switch or if it was built into the blinker switches. That whole thing is a
PITA but will be easier if/when there is a next time.

Billy

>
> I went to AZ and O'relly's web sight and found nothing with those two
> numbers. Even combined it with "Emergency flasher" with no result. Are
> you sure of those numbers?
>
 
http://www.autozone.com/electrical-and-lighting/turn-signal-switch/duralast-turn-signal-switch/59503_154974_0/?checkfit=true

> > > We can do it there. My steering wheel puller stays in my coach so I should have it with me. We will need to get the switch assembly
> > > ahead of time from AZ. The AutoZone part numbers 326 and 327 are stuck in my mind. Either will work. One of them has an extra set of contacts
> > > for cornering lights that we will just not plug in. If you go buy the switch assembly simply go down on the steering column and try to plug it
> > > in. The important thing is to make sure it will plug in before we start to install it. GM made two different plug sizes and one is slightly
> > > wider between the pins than the other one. If the plugs match then you know that you have the correct switch assembly.
> >
> > Cool!! Thanks Ken. I'll have the part with me.
>
> I went to AZ and O'relly's web sight and found nothing with those two numbers. Even combined it with "Emergency flasher" with no result. Are you
> sure of those numbers?

--
C. Boyd
76 Crestmont
East Tennessee
 
Thanks Chuck.

That is it.
SW326 or SW327.

It is part of the turn signal switch. That is why you could not find it.

No, I was not positive that I gave you the correct part number. That number was from memory from 10 or more years ago. I just looked it up and they
are correct. After I looked it up I found Chuck's posting here and see that he re-verified the numbers.

Just make sure that the socket on the steering column an the plug on the new assembly will plug into each other prior to removing the old one. It is
possible to pull the pins out of the new cable and insert them in the plastic housing of the old one. I always have a problem doing that but Chuck
can do the removal in about a minute with a small screwdriver. I watched him do it to one after I struggled with it for about 15 minutes. Hopefully
we will not have to mess with that at all and it will just plug in.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
> Cool!! Thanks Ken. I'll have the part with me.

> We can do it there. My steering wheel puller stays in my coach so I should have it with me. We will need to get the switch assembly ahead of
> time from AZ. The AutoZone part numbers 326 and 327 are stuck in my mind. Either will work. One of them has an extra set of contacts for
> cornering lights that we will just not plug in. If you go buy the switch assembly simply go down on the steering column and try to plug it in.
> The important thing is to make sure it will plug in before we start to install it. GM made two different plug sizes and one is slightly wider
> between the pins than the other one. If the plugs match then you know that you have the correct switch assembly.

Ken must know that he needs two specific tools, the steering wheel puller set and the plate depressor to get the lock plate loose.
But you would still do well to remind all of us about a week before Mansfield. I have a 23 and do my best to not carry anything I don't expect to
need.

Matt - at the home mooring.

--
Matt & Mary Colie - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
'73 Glacier 23 - Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brake with Applied Control Arms
Now with both true Keyless and remote entry
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
Matt, I have both of those tools in my coach. Also Larry will not be making Mansfield so we are planning on doing this at the next GMCMI rally which
is believe is Shawnee.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
> Matt, I have both of those tools in my coach. Also Larry will not be making Mansfield so we are planning on doing this at the next GMCMI rally
> which is believe is Shawnee.

IIRC, Shawnee has a facility that might allow us to pull the coach indoors. Maybe make a session out of this, so others can see the process?
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
Since there is no room for anyone besides a cameraman to observe first hand
inside the coach, it just as well be done outside that big door. It would
make a great (short) presentation and Larry is expert at positioning that
camera.

bdub

>
> IIRC, Shawnee has a facility that might allow us to pull the coach
> indoors. Maybe make a session out of this, so others can see the process?
 
It is all inside the coach. Not many people are going to see this.

All you do is remove the steering wheel, unscrew the turn signal lever and your missing knob for the flasher switch. Undo a couple of screws and
start pulling.

I do not remember if the new switch comes with a knob or not. You might need to bring the old knob and mounting screw one with you if you still have
it.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
> It is all inside the coach. Not many people are going to see this.
>
> All you do is remove the steering wheel, unscrew the turn signal lever and your missing knob for the flasher switch. Undo a couple of screws and
> start pulling.
>
> I do not remember if the new switch comes with a knob or not. You might need to bring the old knob and mounting screw one with you if you still
> have it.

Yup, well, this happened 3 yrs ago. The knob is long gone. I'll have to get one of those too.
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
 
Check the box first. There might be one in there. I just do not remember.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
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