Section : Electrical Equipment

Indicators not self cancelling

Posted By : Adrian Fletcher, 09-Jun-2003, 12:35pm

• Indicators not self cancelling

  Posted By : Nigel Gibbins, 10-Jun-2003, 12:55pm

  The self cancelling mechanism is a part of the switch, there are two spring loaded cams which contact small catches on the steering column and then release the spring to let the switch return to neutral.
  
  At least that is how it is on the spitfire :-)
  
  If your's isn't working I would suspect the switch. The good news is replacements are easy to source and not even difficult to fix.
  
  NiG
  http://www.niginthecar.net

• Indicators not self cancelling

  Posted By : Adrian Fletcher, 18-Jul-2003, 12:18pm

  Unlike me, before investing in a new switch, undo the cowling and check the screws that hold the switch in place - mine were loose !! All I had to do was tighten them up and it works fine now..... Another unused spare part to sell on Ebay !

  • Indicators not self cancelling

    Posted By : Savvas Regas, 10-Aug-2003, 04:44pm

    Hi
    
    I have attached a pic of the indicator switch housing from my Herald 1200. I'm not entirely sure how to check this out to get the indicators to cancel. Any ideas anyone?
    
    I haven't found anything in the Haynes manual. Please refer any answer to the attached pic.
    
    cheers,
    sav

    
    
    Indicators not self cancelling

    • Indicators not self cancelling

      Posted By : William Davies, 10-Aug-2003, 04:55pm

      The 2 metal levers connected by a spring are the indicator cancelling arms. There will (or should be) a clip attached to the steering column - this has a protruding bulge which engages against these levers as the column is turned. Make sure that the bulge is centralised between the levers when the wheels are in the straight ahead position. It is possible that the steering column is slid too far up or down inside the outer column for the clip to engage properly, or the clip could have been removed, but I can't imagine why this would be the case,
      Cheers,
      Bill.
      

      • Indicators not self cancelling

        Posted By : Savvas Regas, 16-Aug-2003, 07:55pm

        Hi
        
        I followed your great instructions to the letter. The indicators self-cancelled for a mile or so, which had the added bonus of giving me a huge grin. I left the cowling off while I was trying them out. About 5 miles later, the lower securing screw fell into my lap. Cancel that huge grin sav. They both had anti-vibration washers and I had applied Loctite threadlocker to their threads as an extra precaution. On closer inspection, it seems that a previous owner cross-threaded the lower screw which is the harder of the two to insert. This allowed free movement of the stalk assembly, explaining the problem.
        
        I propose to use an epoxy metal repair putty like chemi-metal to plug the original holes, mark and then re-tap them in the position for correct operation. I want to seat the bulge firmly against the steering column, but I wondered whether there was a problem with the bulge being 'too close' to the column?
        
        Hmmm,
        regards
        sav

        • Indicators not self cancelling

          Posted By : William Davies, 16-Aug-2003, 09:01pm

          Hi Sav,
          I don't know what you mean about the bulge being too close to the column. The bulge is part of a spring clip which will fit only one way onto the column - it's the devil's own job to get it off once it's in place!
          Cheers,
          Bill.
          

          • Indicators not self cancelling

            Posted By : Savvas Regas, 18-Aug-2003, 01:38am

            Hi Bill
            
            I'll have to check it again
            I couldn't see any form of spring clip. The whole assembly came away from the column very easily. When I undid the lower and upper screw, the only thing holding it on was a slight clamping force from the crewblock and the indicator electrical connections.
            
            I am determined that the stalk doesn't get the better of me!
            
            sav

            • Indicators not self cancelling

              Posted By : Adrian Fletcher, 21-Aug-2003, 12:18pm

              If the unit is "loose" then they will not cancel (this was my problem). I have a spare s/h switch unit if you are interested.

              • Indicators not self cancelling

                Posted By : Savvas Regas, 22-Aug-2003, 09:32pm

                Hi Adrian
                
                It appeared to me that the upper crew was correct, but the lower screw was too far to the right. I put the top screw in but didn't tighten it fully and moved the unit into a position where the indicators self-cancel without any sideways movement of the stalk. I tested the position by just turning the steering wheel when stationary. I then tightened the top screw fully (complete with threadocker and anti-vibe washer before Aralditing the lower part of the unit in place. However, I found that, when driving around, they don't always self-cancel. Only a very tight turn cancels them! This is really starting to annoy me. I can't see what I am doing wrong. In a previous message, Bill says it's very difficult to remove the stalk from the steering column once the screw have been undone. It comes away very easily on mine. Please help!
                
                Am I missing a component or setup procedure?
                
                Cheers,
                sav

                • Indicators not self cancelling

                  Posted By : William Davies, 22-Aug-2003, 10:39pm

                  Hi Sav,
                  You seem to have misunderstood what I was getting at. There's no problem removing the swithgear - it's the cancelling lug which is difficult to remove from the inner column. With the wheels in the straight ahead position, the cancelling lug should be sitting centrally between the two cancelling levers on the switch. If this is not correct, you will get the symptoms you describe, ie cancelling only after tight turns. To centralise the lug, park the car with the wheels in the straight ahead position, then disconnect the column at it's lower joint with the steering rack. Rotate the inner column until the lug sits in the correct position. It might help for alignment to remove the steering wheel - this invariably needs centralising.
                  Cheers,
                  Bill.
                  

                  • Indicators not self cancelling

                    Posted By : Savvas Regas, 23-Aug-2003, 10:54am

                    OK
                    
                    Cheers Bill,
                    I'll give it a go!
                    
                    sav

                  • Indicators not self cancelling

                    Posted By : Savvas Regas, 23-Aug-2003, 10:54am

                    OK
                    
                    Cheers Bill,
                    I'll give it a go!
                    
                    I will tighten the whole assembly back in the original position then!
                    Thanks,
                    
                    sav