Turn Signal Switch

I am having electrical problems with the brake and back up lights and the mechanic thinks it is in the turn signal switch. He said he has called everywhere looking for a replacement and has run out of sources. Does anyone have any ideas where to get this replacement or if they think this is even the problem. The ames catalog didn't even carry it. Thanks for any type of help.

Most likely is the directional switch. You can't buy new. Only what you can find on Ebay, swap meets, etc. I just replaced mine this year. Got one for $10 on ebay. 1960 used the same switch.

You can open it up too, but be careful. Lots of little parts, springs and bearings.

I need one too! Damn

Thanks for the info...I'll be searching...

Still looking.....

Me too

Lina59.....There are two different switches. One for turnsignals, and one for back-up lights and neutral safety start. They both come up on E-bay from time to time, but usually get bid out of site. Exactly what problems are you having with the lights? Maybe we can help you sort them out. Your troubles could be bulbs, grounds, fuses, shorts, opens etc. Even if it is the switches, they can be rebuilt if needed......John

if you guys need those switches i can get them, there is like 4 or 5 59's and a 60 and those cars are never touched in those wrecking yards, i got some fender bullits and an assload of trim that was like new chrome and the car had like 42,000 miles on it, it was a pink color, and i mean it was sooo nice but the guy said he wanted like 3500 or 45.00 for the parts, so screw him since he only gave 200 for the car, OH!!! and i think it has a rebuilt tranny in the trunk that has never been ran and its been in there about 15 years if anyone is interested

It is weird that sometimes the brake lights work and sometimes they don't. Just like the backup lights and turnsignals. You can brake one block and it won't work and then you will turn the corner and the brake light will come on. Or backing up sometimes they come on and other times they don't. I did find a headlight switch because my dash lights don't work and found a turn signal switch for the brake lights but both were worn as much as the one that was on there. Paid a good price for both and then it wasn't worth it. Also just found out I need a new gear box for my steering. The steering has pwer added to it. Haven't seen one on ebay.

I still have it for sale.........Lowered the price to $6999

That's a pretty good deal for that car, you'll regret it! Just keep it

Yeah, electrical systems suck. They get old, mice get to them, they get shorts, they get bad connections.

We bought it originally for the wife and it is too big for her to drive...Needing something smaller.

It is small...it's a Catalina. hahahaha

starchief_59 wrote:

Yeah, electrical systems suck.

But they're fun!

We have a mechanic looking at the car and he says the electrical system seems just fine. The brake lights and backup lights are working perfect. He cleaned the connections also. He says with the dashlights that don't work, we need a different headlight switch with a "rheostat" Is there any place that you can cross reference about using a part from another year or make or model? The mechanic keeps commenting about the super condition of the car and being so straight...I guess we have a very good car on our hands.

Lina59.....1957-1959 Pontiac only. They come up on Ebay from time to time, sometimes used, sometimes NOS. Used are a crapshoot, NOS are usually bid out of sight. If you take the switch out, the reostat for the instrument lamps is located on the front of the switch (closest to the dash.) Sometimes a gentle cleaning will make them work again. Often they are rusted and corroded too much to repair. You can solder a small jumper wire to the ends of the resistance wire to give you full power at all times, and not have the ability to dim them. This isn't much of a problem, as the dash lamps are not all that bright anyway! I've been trying to find a switch with a similar reostat for a while now, with no luck so far. If I find one, I'll let everyone know. This seems to be the only real problem with these switches. By the way, while you have the switch out, look at it from the top, where the harness plugs into it. There is a long stip of metal that is the circuit breaker for the headlights. The contacts of this should be cleaned thoroughly and coated with a little dilectric grease......John

Thanks John. I will relay the info to the mechanic....