Turn signal won't cancel

Well I had nothing better to do today so I pulled my steering column apart down to the ignition cylinder. Actually, I was going to change the cylinder but couldn't figure out how to get the screw out past the little plastic pc with the two copper strips that covers the screw holding in the cylinder. (I'm planning on re-keying the Caprice and my 89 & 92 trucks to the same keys so I don't have to have multiple sets of keys all the time) Now the RH turn signal won't cancel unless I manually move the switch. The LH signal works fine. I did find that the airbag wire was fouling on the signal switch while assembling everything, but I thought I had that sorted out before I installed the snap ring. Could that still be the problem, or do I need to go further into the column?

The turn signal switch uses two springs and a cam to cancel. The plastic cam also holds the horn sounder brush ring. The cam is seldom the problem, but may be worn or broken. Usually, you'll find a broken or improperly installed spring.

Thanks BB, I know about the springs as I had to replace one in one of my 73 Caprice ragtops that I had many years ago. But IIRC when the spring goes you have to hold the signal arm in place to actuate the signal. I don't have that problem; the arm stays up for the RH signal; it just won't cancel by itself. I'm wondering if there may be some slight adjustment to centre the turn signal switch because when I return the steering wheel to centre I can hear a very slight clicking sound from within the column. I'm wondering if the switch could be a hair off centre as I had removed it when I had everything apart. I have to take it apart again anyway as I found that the part of the cancel cam where the horn contact goes into was broken when I removed the airbag.

The cam ears do break from manhandling the directional when forcing it to shut off while the wheel is turned. More than likely one of the 90 degree springs is out of place in your case, since you just had it apart. Most decent auto parts stores carry the springs.

Bob

Or the dealership:

http://72.19.213.157/files/TurnSignalSpring.jpg