Turn Signal Blues

[j.haffly]

Hey gang....long time no post, I know.....

97 TJ SE,

Anyway, turn signals not working....checked ALL the fuses, nothing wrong there....bought a new relay, the one that is mounted near the steering column.  Anyways, after playing with both the old and new relay and playing with the turn signal itself, turned out that if I tuned on the emergency flashers, the turn signals would work.  No flashers but got turn signals.  After a bit, one side would work or the other and then the flashers would work....

I've come to the conclusion that the actual mechanical switch needs replaced.  My question is that from reading the repair manual, it seems like a decent amount of work....between disabling the airbag to messing with the stuff in the steering wheel....however, someone down here was trying to tell me that I dont need to do all that...he was saying if I take apart the plastic covering just below the steering wheel itself, I should be able to take the switch out....

Thoughts?

Jim

[Rick_Bear]

Yeah, the switch should be inside the column where the signal lever is. There shouldn't be any need to go into the airbag or the wheel itself Jim.
You can always just stick your arm out the window when turning left, you'll need a passenger on board for right turns.

[j.haffly]

The problem with hand signals is that I cant get through the safety inspection here in VA....I mean, I'm fine using them but I still need to keep plates on it right now.....I asked the police dept about it....

But that's good to know about the actual switch....the manual has you doing a ton of stuff to get it out....so, as long as I disconnect the battery, I shouldnt have to worry about the airbag, correct?

[hillbilly]

you have to discharge the system first it still holds a charge even when the batt is disconnected. dont know how to do it,but learned the hard way.

[chasm]

Jim:

Just bag the TJ and buy a Willys! Turn signals were an option... hand signals were standard equipment, and are still legal with the antique tags you will need to get!   

Rick: You failed your driving test! Right turn = driver's left hand up with elbow at right angle! 

[Rick_Bear]

Not the only test I ever failed

[j.haffly]

Jim:

Just bag the TJ and buy a Willys! Turn signals were an option... hand signals were standard equipment, and are still legal with the antique tags you will need to get!   

Rick: You failed your driving test! Right turn = driver's left hand up with elbow at right angle! 

If I had a tow vehicle I would go that route....BUT in lew of that....I still need to drive it on the road to get to places to wheel....whatever that is....

[Rick_Bear]

Yeah, I admit that once mine hit the trailer all the leagal "Mumbo-Jumbo" was tossed.
However, I have let some things go further than I should have.
Thus staying within that "Just-Empty-Every-Pocket" syndrome 

[johnnyff11]

ha ha ha memories........... I had that issue about 2 years ago then the parking lights stopped working and the brake lights were spreradicly working. turned out it was the harnness inside the column. it took the shop 3 days to figure out what the deal was and the shop bill for the $90 part was unbelievible LOL