jclark5093

so I found out that if your signals don't auto cancel (if originally designed to do so) in Pennsylvania, you fail the test.

[[edit -- hahaha I forgot to say what car I have!!!! '97 Civic Ex Coupe, D16y8 (sohc vtec) automatic, many system failures....lol]]

Here's the story - for the past 2.5 years, every winter, my signals don't auto cancel, and I switch them off myself. Every spring/summer time, they start working again, until it gets back to winter. I don't know if this is temp related or not, but its not working yet again.

Usually, when the signal don't auto cancel, its because the fingers brake off the gear widget, right? anyway, they're not broken off, because it miraculously works again in 4 months.

OTHER SYMPTOM===
when the signal stops working, my steering gets loose. Well, the steering wheel to wheel turn ratio is proper, but it feels jello-ey. Like I need less muscle to physically turn my steering wheel. Also, now that its broke, my steering doesn't automatically return to straight atfter a turn (well it does, but not as well as it used to whip back to neutral).

These steering alterations may or may not be temp related as well, but they only change EXACTLY the same time. every year, I notice my steering is wacky, so I'm like great - means my signals a popped - and sure enough...


ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?? My mechanic hardly believes me, so he sold me a new multifunction switch, and 300 bucks later, still nothing (got my refund, don't worry)

is there a clutch type thing around the steering column to register the turn signal? and also tighten the steering? thats what it feels like to me, but I've never been inside the steering column of a car in my life, so I've no clue.


My inspection is past due, please hurry with help!!!

p10hlm

congrats on your first post, now try posting in the correct forum.

this is after all the 1990 - 2002 ACCORD forum

bseriescrxsi

agreed...but your multi-function switch is most likey the problem as they have a plastic clip inside that hits the column to shut off the blinkers....replace the switch

P_Adams

My wife's Civic does the same thing when cold (in the summer works fine).
The assembly grease hardens when cold and gums up the release plunger. If you've got a mecahnical degree on working on really tiny things, you could try dissembling it and cleaning it up. If not, shop around and replace the switch.
That's the route we took.

P

oh yes, Civic forum please

jclark5093

So sorry about the wrong forum! I swear I thought it was in civic. Accident!!! (can a mod move this?)

Anyway, since we're here...

I did replace the switch (well the mech did) and it did not help. in fact after the work was done (the new switch, and then putting back the old one) worsened my steering even more

the gummed up thing would be inside the multifunction switch? because I doubt the new one they ordered was bad...

Any other thoughts?

bseriescrxsi

possibly they ripped you and didn't order a new one and got one from a junk yard which was also bad with the same problem(long stretch but i don't rule anything out)....as this is the only part of that system that control when the blinkers turn off...there is no electrical portion to the thing that controls it

jclark5093

so I reposted this in civic, and gave a short version for someone who told me I wrote too much... here it is -->

SHORT VERSION=========

My signals do not auto cancel. We tried replacing the MF switch. That didn't work. This only happens in cold weather. I have "loose" steering which is definately related. It is always temporary (it will work 4 months from now).
====================
Thought:
The way I understand it is that there is a widget on the end of the control switch that puts into place a little plastic "finger". Then, there are 3 (or so) fingers around the steering column, one of which makes contact with the switch finger, and flicks it back into place when you turn back. (correct me if I'm wrong).

Maybe the 3 pronged thingy on the column shifted out of alignment with the control switch, and it bypasses it completely? (if this is a confusing description, sorry, its late, and I'll try better tomorrow.)

if this makes sense to ANYONE shout it out. This is my personal theory. (and if its just the control switch, how would that explain the easy steering?)

jclark5093

bump???

bboixtc

google search brought me here i have the same problem...

anyone find an answer?

bump

jclark5093

I found the answer of replace the whole arm. I ended up at the dealership for it, because I was in a real rush to get the inspection done - fwiw, I found that there is some sort of plastic nipple that probably got turned inside out, but you have to go into the steering column and possibly remove the arm to access it anyway, so if I were doing it on my own time I would at least have a new part handy in case the nipple is broken. It would suck to take apart the column and put it back together to drive to the store and then wait 3 days for the part then do it all again, right?

mistah_keevee

I'm having the same problem, every winter my turn signals won't click back, and my steering gets jiggly. what exactly is the problem, my mechanic said its the rack and pinion and my alignment but i dont believe him.