How do I get the $%&%$#*$#$# turn signal switch back on??

GORDON, DR CLOCK WHERE R U GUYS

like most of the old timers, they don't like the new site....

Amen.

Jack:

The Haynes manual says: "Make sure that the contact ring between the bearing and the steering column is positioned properly and the turn signal switch is in the neutral (cancelled) position, otherwise the cancelling cam will be damaged by the tongue of the contact ring when the steering wheel is assembled."

After installing the switch, it must be centered to the hub with 1/16" - 1/8" clearance by loosening the four screws and moving the switch around to center it.  Again, this must be done with the switch in the neutral position to avoid damaging the cancelling cam...yadda, yadda, from above paragraph.

So, I guess I would first check out that contact ring to make sure it's positioned properly.  While looking, pull the bearing and compare it to what was in there before.  Same thickness??  No?  Is it thicker?  Then it's for a 1972 or later.  Is it chamferred on one side?  THAT side goes down.  NOne of the above?  Then, if it's the same as what came out, try re-assembling, paying closer attention to that mysterious "contact ring" and see if everything magically lines up now.

You should have my cell number, so call if you need moral support.

GN  Techno-Geek on call........

OH, and never swear at a German car part.

It just pisses it off even more and then it really refuses to go together.

I think this is a related thread. Maybe some light shed on what you are trying to do...?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/for...ewtopic.php?t=369613

Thanks Gordon and Scott.  Much appreciated.  Scott that Samba piece was great- searched for that and couldn't locate it.  The article shows a switch earlier than a '62 and looks somewhat different from mine.  I'll take another run on it this morning.

Techno geek--perfect moniker--you have helped so many folks here!

Thanks---Jack

Wow.

I've gotta get on the samba more often.  That piece was lightyears ahead of my Haynes manual!

gn - techno-geek in standby mode  (idle, idle, idle........)

Jack-there is also Shop Talk Forums for info.

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/

ADD: I went to surf around on the Samba site this a.m. and checked in the "late model" category; search word steering column: results (28 pages)...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/for...n&search_forum=3

OK--I got it---the turn signal switch is on---and it works.

The problem was that the steering column bearing had a lip on it that was too wide and that prevented the switch to fit over it to move downward on the column where it belongs.  I found this by putting the old bearing on and saw that the switch fit over the lip no problem.

Comparing the old one with the new one showed the problem so I just filed the new one down so the switch fit over the lip.

May I add that the new reproduction was a Chinese part.  Like a lot of their stuff it "looked" like the real part but didn't fit like one.  I just hope the bearings aren't actually grains of rice!!

Yes--the Samba is a great resource---it would be great to have a book of the mechanical wisdom residing on The Samba.  Scott, your searching technique is better than mine.

Anyway--problem solved --thanks to all for the advice!

Just takes a bit of patience!

When I was in aerospace, people came to me from every department for the hard-to-find stuff/specs.

Did you know there is a Mil-Spec Jesus? If I still a print-out, I'd scan and post it.

Parts list: Corpus, crucifix, 2x #2 screws.

Appl: Chaplain.

Not made in China.

Have faith!

Too funny--thanks Scott!

Tell ya what--I'd hate to be the only Speedster owner out there and witout this the support found on this site!

Most of us work through seemingly impossible mechanical situations thanks to the support we have.  There are no Speedster dealerships here you can take a car to so you are really on your own.

I do understand why so many sell a car with less that 1,000 miles on it.  Mine had 700 miles

and drove like a tank. It took a while to get it sorted and I still get an occasional hiccup but

each one is easier than the last.

I will say that if you have a Vintage or other pan based car, The Samba is a fabulous resource

as it's a VW from the wheels to the fiberglass, so you're working on something with a legacy of "how to" and a fix for almost anything.  Not to mention a recognizable VIN.

My car sat in the garage for two weeks as I dealt with this issue.  It was too hot to drive anyway---like a 110 degree heat index day today.

Thanks again Scott and T.G.

Id say its ok to swear at Chinese parts , just dont swear in chinese..

I like to swear in Chinese.

天哪織補它！

Gordon....  Is that Korean for "BIGGER HAMMER" ????