BLINKER STALK DIY FIX FOR 3RD GEN (should work on many others as well)
- Thread starter Jhelms
- Start date
rickmum
Member
Thanks for the guide Jhelms.
I was having the same problem - right turn signal didn't work unless I held it manually at the point just before it clicks and holds itself.
My runner is a 98 Limited and the tray and trolley looks different. Is it because I don't have fog lights? I can't think of any reason why I wouldn't have 2 connections on the trolley.
Because I only have one connector on the trolley I didn't have the option to swap the two. I tried rotating it 180* but that just gave me the same problem with the left signal - only worked if I held the turn signal by hand in just the right spot.
I ended up putting a big flat strip of solder along the entire middle part of the trolley connector and a liberal amount of clean dielectric grease. Problem solved.
I was having the same problem - right turn signal didn't work unless I held it manually at the point just before it clicks and holds itself.
My runner is a 98 Limited and the tray and trolley looks different. Is it because I don't have fog lights? I can't think of any reason why I wouldn't have 2 connections on the trolley.
Because I only have one connector on the trolley I didn't have the option to swap the two. I tried rotating it 180* but that just gave me the same problem with the left signal - only worked if I held the turn signal by hand in just the right spot.
I ended up putting a big flat strip of solder along the entire middle part of the trolley connector and a liberal amount of clean dielectric grease. Problem solved.
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Thanks for this write up, I'm thinking this must be what is wrong with my blinker.
It's only the right blinker and it's only sometimes, if it doesn't work I can usually flip it on and off a few times to get it to work. When it doesn't work it doesn't do the regular fast-blink indicating a bulb is out but either does nothing or does a manic blink with no rhythm.
Does this sound like this fits with the fix you posted?
Thanks!
It's only the right blinker and it's only sometimes, if it doesn't work I can usually flip it on and off a few times to get it to work. When it doesn't work it doesn't do the regular fast-blink indicating a bulb is out but either does nothing or does a manic blink with no rhythm.
Does this sound like this fits with the fix you posted?
Thanks!
Beer_is_so_Awesome
New member
I know it's been years, but THANK YOU for this writeup!
My 2000 started making an occasional hideous buzzing noise from the dashboard when I used my right turn signal, and of course the signal wouldn't flash. In the beginning I would just make sure to press the stalk a little harder to make it engage. After a few months, it got to the point where it happened half the time, and sometimes the signal would only work if I held the stalk in the up position the whole time.
I followed the instructions and found exactly what was pictured.
My only note is that getting the switch assembly back together is a little challenging. There are a number of floating pieces that have to be properly aligned when you snap the housing back together, and it took me a few tries to make it happen.
One, the white switch trolley has to be centered, or it won't engage the little plastic pin attached to the turn signal stalk. If it's out of place, the stalk will only engage when you press it in one direction, and in the other direction it will just spring back.
The second thing is the little white toggle thing in the bottom of the housing (attached to the two springs) that causes the signal to auto-cancel. The first two times I put it back together, that piece moved about 1/8" in its slot, so the pivots weren't in their respective recesses. When I got the assembly back together, this little piece stuck out just a bit, and I could freely flick it with my finger (it was held in place by springs, but wasn't attached to anything else). After you get the assembly back together, you can check this pin by moving the stalk to the L and R turn signal position, and seeing if this little white tab moves with it.
Pay attention to where everything is when it comes apart, and take care that these things are aligned. A dab of dielectric grease on the pivots helped keep them in place during reassembly.
Many thanks to OP!
My 2000 started making an occasional hideous buzzing noise from the dashboard when I used my right turn signal, and of course the signal wouldn't flash. In the beginning I would just make sure to press the stalk a little harder to make it engage. After a few months, it got to the point where it happened half the time, and sometimes the signal would only work if I held the stalk in the up position the whole time.
I followed the instructions and found exactly what was pictured.
My only note is that getting the switch assembly back together is a little challenging. There are a number of floating pieces that have to be properly aligned when you snap the housing back together, and it took me a few tries to make it happen.
One, the white switch trolley has to be centered, or it won't engage the little plastic pin attached to the turn signal stalk. If it's out of place, the stalk will only engage when you press it in one direction, and in the other direction it will just spring back.
The second thing is the little white toggle thing in the bottom of the housing (attached to the two springs) that causes the signal to auto-cancel. The first two times I put it back together, that piece moved about 1/8" in its slot, so the pivots weren't in their respective recesses. When I got the assembly back together, this little piece stuck out just a bit, and I could freely flick it with my finger (it was held in place by springs, but wasn't attached to anything else). After you get the assembly back together, you can check this pin by moving the stalk to the L and R turn signal position, and seeing if this little white tab moves with it.
Pay attention to where everything is when it comes apart, and take care that these things are aligned. A dab of dielectric grease on the pivots helped keep them in place during reassembly.
Many thanks to OP!
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Having the same issue when using turn signal for right turn.
Removed screw from lower clamshell trim as well as the remaining 2 when turning the wheel.
Clamshell trim is fighting me a bit and unable to separate upper & lower and remove. Have tried with wheel tilted up & down, no luck.
Trying to avoid breaking the plastic tabs.....any tricks.
Pictures posted by OP appear to have lower instrument panel trim in place, what gives.
Removed screw from lower clamshell trim as well as the remaining 2 when turning the wheel.
Clamshell trim is fighting me a bit and unable to separate upper & lower and remove. Have tried with wheel tilted up & down, no luck.
Trying to avoid breaking the plastic tabs.....any tricks.
Pictures posted by OP appear to have lower instrument panel trim in place, what gives.
MarcOz3rdGen
New member
Goofy Signal Switch on my 2001 4Runner Limited
I can't thank you enough. I may need to turn over the 4runner to my girlfriend/wife's family after she died a week ago. We had been together 4 years and just kept putting off getting married. I'm 62 and never married after my high school sweetheart broke my heart. I know, waa, waa.
First thing I called the local auto-parts and discovered after a minute of conversation that the switch was the problem. They quoted me $99 for a new switch. Then a light went off over my head and I checked 4Runner Forum and in a few seconds I found your solution.
The pictures and descriptions were great. A couple of details I struggled with were;
1) Getting the damn cover off the column with the steering wheel in place. It just took a minute or two but I thought it was going to be a problem. It wasn't.
2) Getting the switch back together. Considering all that goes on in that switch, it went pretty smooth. I did have to take it apart and back together to make sure everything was lined up. But making sure the lever was positioned properly, due to the "flash" button, solved the problem and all is well.
Thanks again. I'll be driving this rig for at least a few more days and nights and the last thing I need is to piss someone off when they don't understand a hand signal!
The switch had been acting up for over a year. I had to hold it 'just right' to make the signal work. Then, yesterday the left signal quite completely. It turned out one of the springs on the trolly popped out of place and wouldn't make any contact at all. Or something like that.
Now it works like a new one and it took about an hour at my kitchen table to do the work. All things considered, I'm a very happy guy. (for now)
Thanks again.
I can't thank you enough. I may need to turn over the 4runner to my girlfriend/wife's family after she died a week ago. We had been together 4 years and just kept putting off getting married. I'm 62 and never married after my high school sweetheart broke my heart. I know, waa, waa.
First thing I called the local auto-parts and discovered after a minute of conversation that the switch was the problem. They quoted me $99 for a new switch. Then a light went off over my head and I checked 4Runner Forum and in a few seconds I found your solution.
The pictures and descriptions were great. A couple of details I struggled with were;
1) Getting the damn cover off the column with the steering wheel in place. It just took a minute or two but I thought it was going to be a problem. It wasn't.
2) Getting the switch back together. Considering all that goes on in that switch, it went pretty smooth. I did have to take it apart and back together to make sure everything was lined up. But making sure the lever was positioned properly, due to the "flash" button, solved the problem and all is well.
Thanks again. I'll be driving this rig for at least a few more days and nights and the last thing I need is to piss someone off when they don't understand a hand signal!
The switch had been acting up for over a year. I had to hold it 'just right' to make the signal work. Then, yesterday the left signal quite completely. It turned out one of the springs on the trolly popped out of place and wouldn't make any contact at all. Or something like that.
Now it works like a new one and it took about an hour at my kitchen table to do the work. All things considered, I'm a very happy guy. (for now)
Thanks again.
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