strange problem, experts please help!

I have a 96' Buick Riviera and the steering column broke on it. I had it replaced with one from a junk yard. Everything was ok, the mechanic told me he had to straighten the tie rod ends to get the wheel straight.

Now the problem I am having is the turn signals will not automatically shut off when i turn unless i turn one full rotation. It's so annoying and I've been pulled over twice now because of it.

I took it back and he has no idea what it is, he told me I need a new column, but i don't think thats the cas.

Anybody know how to fix this? I was thinkin about disconnecting the steering knuckle and making one full rotation and bolting it back on.

any idea's please??? Thanks.

The main concern is the steering box. The pitman arm of the box has to be centered for the steering to work properly. The boxes are assembled a little differently each time, which is why steering wheels are splined. Set the box correctly, then you can put the steering wheel on where ever you want.

Steering boxes have a flattened side to an input shaft that isn't always in the same place, so steering wheels are installed after the rest of the steering. If you got a steering wheel that was aligned for a box with a different orientation and centered it by changing the tie rod ends, you have a messed up geometry.

Take the whole thing apart, center the pitman arm in its travel and try to be as exact as possible. Remove the steering wheel, install the steering column, and THEN install the wheel in the centered position. While the steering wheel is off, check to make sure everything is working properly with the cancelling cam for the turn signal. As you watch it operate, it will be clear whether or not its working properly.

Usualy the signals are switched by cams or a similar mechanisim on the steering coloum just behind the signal stalks.
As the wheel turns the coloum these bump against the end of the stalks and they are retuned to the off position. Thats an oversimplifcation of course, and every manufactor use's thier own system.
However it sounds like there is something either broken or badly worn in your second hand steering coloum.

If you remove the plastic suround around the indicator stalk you will be able to see everything, and possibly work out how it works, and what needs to be replaced or repaired.

Had a read of what Curtis said, and it sounds like its all been assembled 180 deg out.

Make sure you follow his instructions to get it realigned, or better yet take it back to who ever installed the second hand column, they clearly didn't install it correctly, and should be obliged to correct the problem.

Thanks for the quick replies..

The cover is all off the steering column. I can see a black cover over the turn signal. Is that what I need to get to?

I did take it back to him and he said it's not his fault and he's not responsible.

I'm not sure I can do this.. Does anybody have an idea on how much this cost to get fixed? Thanks.

The cover is all off the steering column. I can see a black cover over the turn signal. Is that what I need to get to?




Sounds like it, if you can get it off show that there is nothing wrong with the canceling mechanisim then you can take it back and point out that it is his fault as he installed it incorrectly. Get him to fix it, and then never go back.

Of course you might also find there is a fault in there, in which case unfortunatly there is little you can do except the faulty parts.

once you have all your horn gear out of the way, looking at the shaft nut that holds the steering wheel on, you should see a small mark on the shaft - and one on the steering wheel itself, and they should be lined up together. if they are, then your steering wheel & column are correct - because unless someone's modified it, the mount that goes between your steering box & your column should only fit one way (180 out wont work - the bolt sizes are purposely different to keep people from doing that).. if the wheel is straight you should be able to tell if the front end is grossly aligned as far as the tie rods go by turning the wheels all the way to the stop going one direction (right or left), then count exactly how many rotations it takes to reach the stop going the opposite direction - take that number & half it.... turn your wheel that number (if it takes 3 turns, then from that stop, turn the wheel back 1.5 turns) -- your steering wheel should now be pointing straight. if it is, you're very close to ballpark. unless your car has rack and pinion, make sure whoever aligns your front end, does it with the steering wheel straight. if you've got pitman arm/idler arm/drag link type setup, if it's turned slightly when aligned, though the thing will be aligned fine driving striaght, but as soon as you start going into a turn, you start adding error to the alignment due to the geometry of the steering knuckles being incorrect in relation to the pitman/idler arms. even with rack & pinion, it's best to be centered just so you have your full turning radius, but with the other setup it's much more important because that small amount of error creates a LOT of force on the parts that WILL wear them out prematurely (we're talking months instead of years)

I would look at the turn signal switch inside the column, just behind the steering wheel. one of the little springs is broken off, or weak. You need a steering wheel puller to get the steering wheel off. If you need a part number for the tool, ask, but they are cheap and available at most parts stores.