71 F100 Turn Signal Issue

[dhawthorne15]

I just bought a 71 F100 yesterday and the turn signal will not stay locked in position. You can turn it to the right and it locks fine but if you try to put it in the middle (to disengage it), it just drops down as it to turn left. Could this be as simple as replacing the turn signal cam?

[Mr_Mac]

Yes it can. Cams are around $7 but, you can also purchase the whole set of inards for just a bit more and I would highly recommend that. My thinking is, if one part has already gone bad in an assembly then replace the whole assembly!

[dhawthorne15]

Would they have the innards at Autozone or do I need to order online? It's been a while since I had an issue like that....do you have to pull the steering wheel to get to all that?

[Mr_Mac]

AutoZone should have them readilly available or at the very least a day or two away. When I replaced the one in my Mustang ('71) I did have to pull the wheel but I borrowed a wheel puller from AutoZone.

[dhawthorne15]

Ok...so if I remember correctly from the last time I did it on a Chevy..you pull the wheel, pull the signal cam and replace it and thats it?

[Mr_Mac]

Depending on the actual construction of your column there may also be a collar that will have to be removed as well as an emergency flasher button before you can get to the cam itself. A Chilton or Haynes book should give you all the details you need.

Here (http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/15/43/af/0900823d801543af/repairInfoPages.htm) is a basic guide as shown on a Jeep just to give you an idea.

Mac

[dhawthorne15]

Ok, so I got the whole innards today and attempted to install them. My first question is how in the heck do you get those wires down the steering column? Next question is when I went to pull the collar off on the steering column I dropped on the of screws in there. Any tricky way anyone can think of to get it out?

[dhawthorne15]

Ok, I got the new cam in and it works fine. However, I'm guessing I did not put the steering wheel back in place properly as it is not in park and wont start since its not in park. One thing that is puzzling me is how those 2 screws stay in place when you go to put the shift indicator part back on....meaning put it back on over the shifter column..

[dhawthorne15]

Ok well I got everying re-installed. However now the truck wont start. Is there something in the wiring that is maybe a safety switch?

[Mr_Mac]

I'd get back in there and be sure you didn't disconnect something or short something. Does it turn over?

[dhawthorne15]

No, it wont turn at all. I just looked at the fuse panel and it looks like I have a blown fuse. It looks like its the fuse thats on the top and I dont see a description so I can only hope the fuse for the starter blew.