Turn Signal Info
Was in-there recently in my 1965 Dart and couldn't find photos on the web, just the same questions asked with no answers other than "just buy the whole thing" (don't you love such replies?). Now that I figured it out, hope this helps someone else.
My main question was how the plastic sliders inside the switch should be oriented since initially no turn signals worked, so I had jumped in there and a slider fell out. My problems turned out to be I had mirror-imaged the wires in the column connector, strange since I had numbered the terminals correctly and wire colors should match on both sides. Another was the electronic flasher didn't work with the all LED bulbs I installed. Swapped the rears to filament bulbs since the stop lamps weren't bright enough w/ LED anyway. Another was that the front left wire had pushed back in the bulkhead connector (common).
Details and random notes:
This turn signal switch is used on all Mopars (A, B, C body) from 1963-66 (?). Earlier cars had an old-school metal lever switch (I think). The later switch 1966-69 (?) can be used. Indeed, I had one in my 1965 Newport though the base was tight against the column housing (trimmed, forget). The later ones bring the red (input from flasher) and wht (input from brake switch) wires in on the cam (SM-9), which feed to long wires under the cam. Even later switches (1970+ ?) added a hazard switch and other mod's which likely wouldn't fit. Ford sedans (Galaxy, Fairlane, ...) had similar early and late switches which look almost identical in the switch part, but the bases and horn contact varied, so you couldn't adapt but might use the innards. Ford changed switch style after 1964(?).
Note that the upper slider (right turns) is installed so the copper is on the bottom of the slider. You can orient the slider only one way since the pin slot in the base is offset upward. The longer copper contact is then at top. It touches just the right rear bulb (brn wire) unless the slider is right (signaling right turn) when the right front bulb (tan) is also touched and the shorter bottom contact changes from touching the left input (wht = brake) to the right input (red = flasher), so both right bulbs flash.
The bottom slider is oriented mirror image, with wider contact at bottom. The pin is offset down, which puts the copper in front. Both sliders appear identical, though mine had different numbers in the plastic (recall "18" and "45"). The left rear bulb is dk grn wire (left) and left front is lt grn (right). Add silicone grease for easy sliding and corrosion protection. The cam just pries off and is pushed on. You can still buy new ones PN SM-13 (or TS-13).
The 2nd photo shows the cam and lever installed, and the flasher wiring. Strangely, the Shop Manual depicts the flasher connector on top of a circle, as if you are looking at the wire side of the connector (like photo). But, the schematic really means you are looking into the end of the connector. Some 2-terminal flashers label the terminals "X" for constant 12 VDC input (black wire, ACC feed) and "L" for load (red wire to turn signal switch). My electronic one has that. The flasher clips into the top of the cig lighter, though many just let it hang from the wiring. Interestingly, we were driving in my 1969 Dart in 1989 on a dirt road in NM w/ washboard ripples and smoke came from under the dash. The black ACC wire to the flasher had smoked. I don't think the insulation rubbed thru, but rather the flasher fell apart inside to short that wire to the case. If true, perhaps better to not clip it in the metal holder.
I also show a photo of the column connector. The manual schematic give pin#'s (Sharpied mine), but doesn't show where the alignment slot is. We know now that the guy who drew these wiring schematics went on to design Florida ballots. You are supposed to secure the connector to a hole on the top of the column, using a steel clip which slides into the side opposite the alignment slot. I have such a pin in my 1964 Valiant, but not for the Dart. New connector housings have an integral plastic pin for that.
Was in-there recently in my 1965 Dart and couldn't find photos on the web, just the same questions asked with no answers other than "just buy the whole thing" (don't you love such replies?). Now that I figured it out, hope this helps someone else.
My main question was how the plastic sliders inside the switch should be oriented since initially no turn signals worked, so I had jumped in there and a slider fell out. My problems turned out to be I had mirror-imaged the wires in the column connector, strange since I had numbered the terminals correctly and wire colors should match on both sides. Another was the electronic flasher didn't work with the all LED bulbs I installed. Swapped the rears to filament bulbs since the stop lamps weren't bright enough w/ LED anyway. Another was that the front left wire had pushed back in the bulkhead connector (common).
Details and random notes:
This turn signal switch is used on all Mopars (A, B, C body) from 1963-66 (?). Earlier cars had an old-school metal lever switch (I think). The later switch 1966-69 (?) can be used. Indeed, I had one in my 1965 Newport though the base was tight against the column housing (trimmed, forget). The later ones bring the red (input from flasher) and wht (input from brake switch) wires in on the cam (SM-9), which feed to long wires under the cam. Even later switches (1970+ ?) added a hazard switch and other mod's which likely wouldn't fit. Ford sedans (Galaxy, Fairlane, ...) had similar early and late switches which look almost identical in the switch part, but the bases and horn contact varied, so you couldn't adapt but might use the innards. Ford changed switch style after 1964(?).
Note that the upper slider (right turns) is installed so the copper is on the bottom of the slider. You can orient the slider only one way since the pin slot in the base is offset upward. The longer copper contact is then at top. It touches just the right rear bulb (brn wire) unless the slider is right (signaling right turn) when the right front bulb (tan) is also touched and the shorter bottom contact changes from touching the left input (wht = brake) to the right input (red = flasher), so both right bulbs flash.
The bottom slider is oriented mirror image, with wider contact at bottom. The pin is offset down, which puts the copper in front. Both sliders appear identical, though mine had different numbers in the plastic (recall "18" and "45"). The left rear bulb is dk grn wire (left) and left front is lt grn (right). Add silicone grease for easy sliding and corrosion protection. The cam just pries off and is pushed on. You can still buy new ones PN SM-13 (or TS-13).
The 2nd photo shows the cam and lever installed, and the flasher wiring. Strangely, the Shop Manual depicts the flasher connector on top of a circle, as if you are looking at the wire side of the connector (like photo). But, the schematic really means you are looking into the end of the connector. Some 2-terminal flashers label the terminals "X" for constant 12 VDC input (black wire, ACC feed) and "L" for load (red wire to turn signal switch). My electronic one has that. The flasher clips into the top of the cig lighter, though many just let it hang from the wiring. Interestingly, we were driving in my 1969 Dart in 1989 on a dirt road in NM w/ washboard ripples and smoke came from under the dash. The black ACC wire to the flasher had smoked. I don't think the insulation rubbed thru, but rather the flasher fell apart inside to short that wire to the case. If true, perhaps better to not clip it in the metal holder.
I also show a photo of the column connector. The manual schematic give pin#'s (Sharpied mine), but doesn't show where the alignment slot is. We know now that the guy who drew these wiring schematics went on to design Florida ballots. You are supposed to secure the connector to a hole on the top of the column, using a steel clip which slides into the side opposite the alignment slot. I have such a pin in my 1964 Valiant, but not for the Dart. New connector housings have an integral plastic pin for that.
