Steering Column Parts

[68FORDJBM]

Okay, so based upon the link from Fordman I was able to confirm and test that everything was set up and working correctly before I snaked the wires back down through the column using the string I was smart entough to use when I took them out.

I had to remove the Column flange that the TSS mounts on to help get the wires back down the column. What a pain it turned out re-attaching the flange. Is there an easier way to push everything down and get the square nut heads on the flange to catch on the shift collar?

At the end of it all, the damn turn signals didn't work once I got it all back togehter:( It worked before I put it all back together and now it doesn't? The only thing I'm hoping for is that I discovered the battery was nearly dead. Cold a dead battery account for the turn signals not working? The emergency flashers worked fine?

[fordman]

those help cams have the wire that gets crimped back onto the other older wires. usually the crimp isnt very good or comes loose from what i 've heard.

[68FORDJBM]

What do you mean by "help cam?" Same as cam repair kit? I didn't crimp the wires with any connectors. I went old school with wire to wire and electrical tape.

I'm at a complete loss. Do you think it would help if I posted this to the electrical board?

I get a solid signal in the neutral position, but intermittant solid current when the switch is engaged. The dash indicators come on solid briefly and then go out. You can press on the switch connections to get the dash indicator lights to come on and off again. I re-checked the flashers since I'm not getting the turn signal current expected from the flasher like I did when it worked on Saturday. I'm still waiting for my replacement plugs. Could it be a short in the plug connectors? The cam wires seem like a pretty simple concept and it's hard to imagin that the cam isn't working correctly. Help?

[fordman]

yes that is a replacement can for the tss. the wires probably came loose while it was being put in. or the cam is loose on the switch. thats all i can think of.

[68FORDJBM]

I'll give it a look and let you know what I find. I'll probably wait and install the new plugs from Radio Shack too. My Grandpa who is a old time Ford Man use to quiver at the thought of trouble shooting electrical problems. I can't rember what colorful expression he used but I'm felling it:)

[68FORDJBM]

Connection from power (Blue # 44) to TSS is good. Is it possible to have power to the TS switch and not to the TS flasher because that's what I have?

[fordman]

yes that would be power coming in but not going back out. have you looked at the wiring diagrams. they show more abotu how the switch wokrs and sends out power from the switch. as well as thuderfoot has some open pics of the switch to show what contacts what when the switch is in operation.

[fordman]

Same filament in the bulb but 2 different circuits sending power to it, switching is done in the TSS. The reason the brake light doesn't work is the front lights don't have brake lights
The front and rear are also separate circuits within the TSS. When you turn on the Turn Signal to make a right turn the TSS disengages the right rear brake light and then directs the flashing turn signal power to it, if it didn't disengage the brake the light you would never see it flash as the solid on brake light would win over the flashing one.
Here is a pic of the TSS guts. the problem with yours is the contact point for the right rear wire. NOTE: you might also check that green wire on the connector itself at the bottom of the column and make sure it is making good connection on that pin with the TSS wire.

[68FORDJBM]

Not only have I looked at the wiring diagrams, but I've nearly memorized them from looking at them so much:). My last question was a result of looking at the diagrams. From the diagram, I traced the power from the fuse and electricity flows through the TS flasher before getting to the TSS: 14 amp fuse >wire 140>wire 950>wire 8> TS flasher>wire 44> TSS. The power then flows out to the coresponding turn signal lights. This is why I'm confused when I don't get a signal in the middle of the circut. I have power at the fuse, wire 44 coming out of the plug, and at the point where juice enters the switch, but not at the TS flasher in or out.

You're right, juice doesn't come out of the TSS except for a solid signal to the indicator lamp on the dash?

I'm hoping to trace or fix the problem when I replace the plug wires that I received from Radio Shack. I just don't know why I'm not getting flashing power entering and exiting the TSS switch. Especially since it was working this way on Saturday just before I snaked the wires back down the column. It's crazy man!

Thanks for the pics though. I feel like I know more about my TSS than any other part of my truck but the TS still won't work:(

[fordman]

tracing the lost connection of power is the thing to do then.

[68FORDJBM]

Any recommendations on how to best trace the TS Flasher power? They really seem up there in burried in a large bunch of wires.

[fordman]

at the switch plug is where i would check them at. before i unwrapped anything. were it starts from and ends at is where to start at. usually a wire inside a wrapping won't be messed up. its usually at the plugs or some loose wires outside of the wrapping.

[68FORDJBM]

I think I'll chock one point up to the truck and take a break with the Turn signals for a while. After all, I have arm signals:) I traced the power back from the switch, through the plugs, took the instrument pannel out and traced power back to the flasher. I'm getting power through the flasher now, but still no flashing. I broke out the volt meter and measured about 12 V on both sides of the flasher and up at the TS switch. Same story when I turn on the signals except I only get a solid TS indicator light on the dash and nothing eles. I'll figure it out some day but I need a break for now:)

Thanks for all your help!

[fordman]

solid light on means there is a short in that ssytem. it is feeding back or some such thing to make the light stay on all the time instead of blink.

[68FORDJBM]

I forgot to mention that I did find a loose plug that was the reason I wasn't getting power to the flasher. I replaced the plug and now just need to find the source of the short causing solid power through the flasher, I guess. I wonder if it would help to make all if the wires in the TSS switch plug assembly seperate connections? I have another TSS switch wire assembly that I can connect outside of the column too. That might eliminate the TSS as the source of the short.

You see, my Turn signals are taking over my life:)