How do I get the turn signal cancelar plastic piece out of steering column

Wizard · Feb 5, 2020

Working on a 73 Imperial. Trying to get down to the ignition tumbler cause its jammed and cannot turn it with the key and get it unlocked to get it out of park. What is the little metal box piece to the left that looks like it has a tab on it u bend up to unloosen the turn signal piece to come out? It moves when you pull or move the turn signal lever so its connected to that some how. How do I get it out?

I circled the metal box part in blue circle that I think has a tab on it that is holding in the cancelation plastic switch.

Thanks,

Wizard

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Murray · Feb 5, 2020

This is an Imperial with tilt and Tel. This are difficult and we used to have special tools for it. If I remember right, the lock/tumblers can be removed out the side, without disassembling the column. Maybe there is a small hole in the chrome piece to put a wire?

Wizard · Feb 5, 2020

Murray said:
This is an Imperial with tilt and Tel. This are difficult and we used to have special tools for it. If I remember right, the lock/tumblers can be removed out the side, without disassembling the column. Maybe there is a small hole in the chrome piece to put a wire?

Let me check.

AndyF · Feb 6, 2020

Do you have a FSM? I'd always start there for questions like this. If you don't have a FSM then you kind of have to just poke around at it. They put those things together in different ways. Sometimes the cam will come out but a lot of times it is connected to the wiring and the whole harness has to come out. Do a google search for a replacement part and see what it looks like.

Alaskan_TA · Feb 6, 2020

Wizard said:
It moves when you pull or move the turn signal lever so its connected to that some how.

On the tilt columns, the turn signal / speed control lever is threaded in.

I have not seen the procedure to remove it without damaging the 4 wires in one yet though......

Wizard · Feb 6, 2020

Murray said:
This is an Imperial with tilt and Tel. This are difficult and we used to have special tools for it. If I remember right, the lock/tumblers can be removed out the side, without disassembling the column. Maybe there is a small hole in the chrome piece to put a wire?

I did not find any small holes near the tumbler to put a paper clip in to release the tumbler. Someone says maybe that metal piece needs to be pulled up with a pick or something to slide out the turn signal arm

Cal Tonsley · Feb 6, 2020

Here’s a link to a download of the 72 FSM, admittedly not 73 but might help.
http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/servicemanuals/1972_Plymouth_Chassis_Service_Manual.zip

Wizard · Feb 6, 2020

Cal Tonsley said:
Here’s a link to a download of the 72 FSM, admittedly not 73 but might help.
http://www.mymopar.com/downloads/servicemanuals/1972_Plymouth_Chassis_Service_Manual.zip

Yes, thank you. I have the book at home and I also checked out this link. Looks like gotta go into the bowels of the coloumn. The picture diagram doesn't explain what that little metal piece is that I have circled in my pics but I think they reference it to a clip. I don't know how to get it out. I tried prying it up with a screw driver and that don't work.

Alaskan_TA · Feb 6, 2020

The page at the link below is for 1970 cars with the tilt column so unless some the changed, it should pull out after the three screws are removed.

https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/serviceHighlights/70 sh 196.jpg

There are other pages there that are tilt column specific at well, they start with page 45, so you may find more of use to you there.

The 1970 Hamtramck Registry - 1970 Passenger Car Highlights - Steering

Murray · Feb 6, 2020

That link to the '72 FSM explains how to remove the cylinder w/o disassembly of column. Look for a small notch beside it and release with a small screwdriver. Love those FSM.

Wizard · Feb 6, 2020

Murray said:
That link to the '72 FSM explains how to remove the cylinder w/o disassembly of column. Look for a small notch beside it and release with a small screwdriver. Love those FSM.

Do you have to go into the coloumn somewhat to do this? I am just not seeing how to do this? Maybe if I can get the turn signal switch out of the way. That is the problem. I cant get the turn signal switch out. That square piece of metal that I circled in blue in my pic is holding me up.

Wizard · Feb 9, 2020

I finally got the ignition tumbler out. It is jammed and will not turn with key in it. Is there some way to see if its the wrong key? Previous owner says it is but who knows. Tried all the keys. Also, the round headed key don't open the trunk. If not there are plenty of them for sale on E-bay. Anywhere else to buy one? Also, I think these can be refurbished. Any way to take it apart and see what is jamming it up? Any way to get a new key for it to ensure the key is the right key before buying a whole new ignition tumbler? Their pretty cheap but I always like to try to fix something if I can.

Murray said:
That link to the '72 FSM explains how to remove the cylinder w/o disassembly of column. Look for a small notch beside it and release with a small screwdriver. Love those FSM.