Installing New Turn Signal Switch for '66

[John L.]

I am in the process of installing a new turn signal switch on my non-tele "66. I have removed the steering wheel, and the plastic arch shaped connectors and started to pull the turn signal switch wiring harness up and out of the mast jacket with a trailing rope attached. However, in examining the amount of available space inside the mast jacket, I see no way of getting the wires thru the mast jacket, with all the metal connectors attached, without damaging/tearing the jacket. So, I am thinking about removing the metal connectors and then pulling the wiring thru. I have spent a good deal of time reviewing posts in the archives about this procedure and members indicated they were able to slowly pull the wire thru with metal connectors attached. Would just like to hear that this is doable as I do not want to damage the mast jacket. Thanks for your responses

[Al P.]

Re: Installing New Turn Signal Switch for '66

Yes - You must remove the pins from the harmonica connector. to remove the old switch from the column. A small screwdriver will press the pin locking tab to remove each PIN.
Its documented in the Chassis Manual for your Vette - Before you remove them - mark down each color and position in the connector - so you can reinstall the pins correctly after you install the new DR switch.

[John L.]

Re: Installing New Turn Signal Switch for '66

Thanks Al. Yes I have removed the two plastic harmonica connectors but it looks like I will have to also remove the pins (7) from each wire to be able to pull the wire thru the mast jacket, just don't seem to be enough available space to get the wiring harness thru with the pins attached

[Donald H.]

Re: Installing New Turn Signal Switch for '66

Are you having trouble getting them through the plastic wire cover on the bottom of the column?

if so, you can gently remove the plastic pin holding it in place then pull it down out of the cover. It is not solid, you will see that it has a parting line you can separate enough to pull the wiring out to the side then work it out.

If you have the original wire cover and it is in good shape, be careful with it. The reproduction i got from LIC is much to large and willl not slide back up into the cover.

[Jerry G.]

Re: Installing New Turn Signal Switch for '66

I just did this to my 66 yesterday. I removed everything on the column. I ended up removing the plastic sleeve and separating the sleeve like Don mentioned. If you remove the column support under the dash, it will be a lot easier the remove and replace the sleeve. If you do like I did, don't forget to install the wiring sleeve through the upper hub before installing on the column. Don't ask how I know this. It took about 2 hours for my install. Good luck.

[John L.]

Re: Installing New Turn Signal Switch for '66

Thanks Jerry and Don, I have the original plastic sleeve and have spent a lot of time looking at this procedure and attempting to gently pull the wire harness with the attached pins up thru the cover and out of the hub housing. There is so little room to work with and I am concerned about damaging the plastic sleeve and getting the pins up and out of the bottom of the hub, I assume you have to work one pin at a time. With that said, I am leaning towards just cutting the existing turn signal mechanism off and soldering in the new one which I purchased from Shee-Mar.

[Jerry G.]

Re: Installing New Turn Signal Switch for '66

Personally I wouldn't cut and solder and take a chance on having a short. The easiest way is to open up the slit in the sleeve and install the wiring harness as a whole. My switch harness is a Lectric Limited so each wire is attached to the next to make it lay flat. I'm not familiar with your brand.

[Donald H.]

Re: Installing New Turn Signal Switch for '66

I agree with Jerry. You say you are trying to pull the wires up through the sleeve/cover. You don't need to do that. The sleeve can be opened all along the length. See the pictures below.

My steering column is out of the car due to frame off restoration. The first picture shows the wiring almost completely in the sleeve. Not that it is pushed in through the slit in the sleeve, not pulled from the top or bottom. The last picture is of the original sleeve out of my car, It was already broken so I had to buy a reproduction which is thicker, making the install into the turn signal cover more difficult. But you can see that the original has the slit along its length also.

Don

[John L.]

Re: Installing New Turn Signal Switch for '66

Thanks Don, your comments and pictures are most helpful. So as you suggest, I will gently open the sleeve to remove the wires and then work the wires up thru the lower hub to remove the harness