71 Super Beetle Horn and Turn Signal Cancel

[Snoopy1971]

[Longmont1302]

I called WW to see what they suggested I use to lubricate the switch. The guy I spoke with said you could use wheel bearing grease, but that he'd use white lithium grease. So I did, too. I used a Q-tip and a toothpick to try to get it on all the surfaces. That worked better, but the switch still didn't snap all the way back every time. Then I cleaned that up as best I could and tried some Blaster brand silicon lubricant (also said to be safe on plastics) and that seems to work a little better.

I also experimented with screw tightness AND placement of the cancel ring. It seems like I obtained the best cancelling results when the cancel ring tab was at 9 o'clock when the tires were pointed straight ahead. The photo below shows what I mean by 9 o'clock - the tab would be on the left side:

However, when the wheel is put on so that the tab "rests" at 9 o'clock, the horn ring goes on upside down. In the photo below, the tires are pointed straight ahead. Take a look at how the horn ring holes line up with the steering wheel holes; the only way to put the horn wire through the appropriate hole in the horn ring is to have the ring rest in the top half of the wheel.

That just feels wrong and backwards - and not the way it's worked in the past.

What am I doing wrong?

[ashman40]

[baldessariclan]

One thing I noticed on the aftermarket turn signal switches I tried (and could never get to cancel consistently, among other issues) -- a few of the plastic components in the turn signal cancelling mechanism looked to be rather ill-formed and poor/loose fitting, as compared to the corresponding components on the OEM German switch -- ref. photos below.

Aftermarket turn signal switch:

OEM German turn signal switch:

You might want to compare those same details / components on your new WW turn signal switch vs. the original stock one that came with your car. If your new switch looks more like the top photo than the bottom ones, then suspect there's a good chance that you'll never be able to get it to cancel 100% reliably...

Best bet then would probably be to send the photo evidence to WW for a refund, and begin search for a good used or NOS German turn signal switch. More $$$ no doubt, but seems to be the only option nowadays for a turn signal switch that actually works correctly. "Buy once, cry once", and be done with it...
_________________
1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver

baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt...

[ST Dog]

[baldessariclan]

[ST Dog]

[baldessariclan]

[Longmont1302]

[Longmont1302]

The dimmer function of this switch works flawlessly, every time -- until I put the steering wheel on. Then it doesn't work at all. That said, it doesn't seem like it sticks out in such a way that the steering wheel would press it in. Any ideas?

[ashman40]

[Longmont1302]

Thanks, Ashman. What you say makes sense, but the switch works really well. The contacts connect when you press the lever, and they remain apart when at rest. It works perfectly with the volt/ohm meter on the bench, and it works perfectly installed in the car -- UNTIL the steering wheel is added:


Link
[/youtube]

I think the steering wheel is keeping the switch from opening. Anyone run into that? Is there some kind of extra shim between the two I'm missing (besides the cancel ring)?

[ashman40]

What do you see? I used to tweak the two contacts with a screwdriver every so often when they would get stuck together. I recall they are visible without taking the steering wheel off. You should be able to see the contacts in the opening in the steering column. Post a pic.

If the steering wheel is too close you need to adjust the position of the steering column housing down to increase the gap between the steering wheel and the column housing.

The other thing you could do is to test the brown/white dimmer relay "S" wire for resistance to ground. Disconnect it and test the relay end of the wire for ground. While the switch is at rest it should show an open circuit (infinite resistance to ground). When you pull on the lever it should be shorted to ground. When you install the steering wheel what do you read at rest and while you pull on the turn signal lever? Open or grounded?
_________________
AshMan40
---------------------------
'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[Longmont1302]

Thanks for the tips, Ashman. I got the volt/ohm meter out, tested the switch again, and it worked fine with the wheel off. I gently screwed the switch back in place, still tested fine. I gently placed the wheel on -- still fine. I tightened the wheel down, still fine. So I put the horn ring back on, and now everything functions properly: dimmer, turn signals, turn signal cancel, and horn.

I'm sorry I'm not more help to the next person trying to troubleshoot similar problems, but I put it back together and it works. I'm happy with the WW switch. Sadly, we're supposed to get 9-15 inches of snow tomorrow, so we might be hibernating for a while.

[highwheelerboy22]

Very informative thread but i have to ask as a new 1971 type 3 fastback owner - how does the turn signal cancel/horn grounding ring connect to the backside of the steering wheel? I've searched everywhere on here with no luck.

[baldessariclan]