Turn Signal Switch

Any ideas where I might be able to find an old-style (pre 1960, I think) turn signal switch in decent shape? I'd like to move the dimmer switch to the floor, and have an "old-timey" stalk w/ an ivory knob. I'm pretty sure old spit-windows had what I'm looking for, maybe older busses. No luck on ebay, or traderonline. I'm pretty far out of the VW pipeline here in the midwest, so any help would be appreciated.

Hello stan,
Keep checking on E-bay. There is a guy from Denmark that lists them on a fairly regular basis. I don't know where he gets them, but he manages to find NOS turn signal switches very frequently. About 6 months ago I bought one from him (ivory base, chrome stalk, ivory knob) and I think I got it for around $60 (including shipping). It's absolutely perfect, and looks exactly like the ones I've seen in real Speedsters.

Scot

Scot,

I check every day, in ebay motors using "VW turn signal" as the search critera. I assume yours is VW and not something you had to adapt- do you recall what model year the switch is from? It sounds like you have exactly what I would want- now to find it.....

Check www.thesamba.com. They have great classifieds for aircooled VWs. You can post a request or just watch for the parts.

Ditto on TheSamba.com. I saw a couple on there this week.

Stan... I buggered up my response, let me try again.
Try 'Porsche,356' for your search or just Porsche, that's how I look for parts. I have a few seller's names I have dealt with and you can look them up with the search feature and check their inventory.
ggtsons@adelphia.net
ferrysheritage
356nuts
mister-okrasa

If any of you have a old turn signal switch, one that is somehow broken I'll take it.It would take some time but,I'd be willing to try and fix it.

Wow- thanks for the tip- a guy on thesamba.com has a pre-65 bus turn signal switch that looks pretty good. I noticed what appears to be 5 wires coming out of the switch- is it possible that the switch has a headlight dimmer in it also? Be still my beating heart.

WELL good for you sir, I have done so well so far I would like to have a early turn signal switch Even though I intend to keep the bangio steering wheel that problem is a easy fix .However The switch is a bit harder. Iwent to the Sambab site and did a very extincive search there were 4 semphore type switches two had the red tips and three early beetle types I sent out inquireries to all.

(Message Edited 9/20/2002 12:18:01 AM)

I talked to John Steele last night. A mid-'60s ('65-66'?) VW bus turn signal has a chrome stalk w/ a plastic tip- and has the high-beam feature. The wiring is all the same, assuming you get the right one, but the collar needs to be enlarged slightly. He found me a NOS part from europe at Vintage (link on JPS website). Not cheap, but just what I'm after.

Stan, you lucky dog. Whoever saw those sempahore turn signals, I don't think so. The semaphores were the little flapper things. I don't know how they were wired but I doubt it.

I got two switches comming. one is the trianglar shape the other is the flatter box type If one dont work the other will. This car is going to be very close to correct.

If I am not mistaken one of the two I purchased is a early bus The other semaphore type is of three wire design ,you only have to combine the 2 two right turn wires and the 2 left turn wires for later wiring .The horn wire I suspect is the other wire .Stan spoke of on the Bus switch, I hope I am wrong , Cause I got one coming probably ,just like it.

(Message Edited 9/20/2002 6:44:10 PM)

I have found a 71 Bus turn signal switch that a local friend had it $20.it looks close enough.But I am curious to see if the inners would fit in the earler 65 switch. I got one on the way and I will let you know.

The answer to my switch swapping idea, Is Nope. But I have a good way of adding a dimmer switch to the 65 switch . I will have to get back to you on how that works out.

The Dimmer Kit works nicely.I took a antena stalk from Radiosack,and dismantled it,to get a sheath, to slip over the 65 bus switch stalk. Then with the knob tight on the stalk ,I got my lenth for the sheath. I cut it to lenth with a cutoff grinder.
On the base end of the sheath ,I soldered on a 20" peace of micro soft spun wire, The kind you find in flexable phone cords, and put a flat conector on the end . I use a sheet of transparency film to make a liner for the sheath it goes from the base 2/3 up the stalk It was longer But I kept. cutting it to get just the right amount of give.
The stalk lenth has to be just a little loose so the top end will ground to the inner shaft, when touched And A nylon washer at the base end keeps that from grounding . The only thing I had to change in the switch was inlarge the slot in the case, that the stalk travels in with a dye grinder. HOW ABOUT THAT??

(Message Edited 9/29/2002 4:08:13 PM)

I am still not sure what to do about the horn wire circut.. On a eary car the wire went right down the middle of the colum and came out the bottom of the steering box. I have tried three different approches to the problem and I am not pleased, Using a earlier box would be the safest bet. BUT a brass spool and a brush contact at the steering nuckle would be easy enough ,BUT it would be in the weather,
There Is Just not enough room in the switch for a contact ring , when you cocider the canceling vein travel.
Any Ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Message Edited 10/5/2002 5:18:15 PM)

It seams, If you just walk away sometimes the answer hits you on the head. I put the spool inside the colum 12" from the top. then put a insulated generator brush mount on the outer colum case. Perfect

I finally installed the modified bus switch in the car tonight- a complete success in my estimation. The collar for the switch had to be enlarged somewhat, and the self-canceling feature required a bit of modification, but WOW- its cool, and it works. My wife thinks I have gone completely off the deep end, but this just about pegs the cool-o-meter for me. I'll post a picture for anyone interested.

Stan please post a pic and list modifications to make this work. Where did ya get the part from.
Thanks
Jerry White

I got my 65 bus switch and bus colum installed the weekend as well. I added a red tip lite on the stalk an also have a incorperated
dimmer switch in it as well,

SWEET

I did have to relathe the steering wheel base mount because I wanted to keep the banjo steering wheel. It now looks almost exzactly like a 1952 colum picture in the Robert Johnson book, very very close.

(Message Edited 10/16/2002 9:59:19 AM)