Flaming River Column - 1967 Cougar Turn Signal Issue

After a marathon session of turning wrenches to get my KRC steering pump installed, I embarked on a 1700 mile roundtrip cruise to the Pacific Northwest in my 1967 Restomod recently. It ran flawlessly, the 5.0 EFI averaged 20 mpg at freeway speeds. So far so good. I've been washing the car by hand, but yesterday I decided to take it the local carwash (they hand dry) to remove the numerous bug carcasses from the trip. Shortly afterward, I noticed the turn signals had completely stopped working.

This car is using a Ford splined, Flaming River Tilt Collapsable Column. The GM style connector was discarded during the install, and the wiring was matched to the stock Ford 10 pin connector, and everything has worked fine until now. Using Vic's (thanks Vic) troubleshooting guide

http://www.thuntek.net/cougars_unlimited/seqts.htm

I've traced the problem to either the turn signal switch, or the spliced wiring to the switch. With the harness disconnected, I have no continuity between the listed pins for either the left

Blue (pin 10), Green-White (pin 2)
Blue (pin 10), Green-Orange (pin 6)

or the right turn signal lever positions.

Blue (pin 10), Orange-Blue (pin 4)
Blue (pin 10), White-Blue (pin 3)

Reconnecting the 10 pin harness connectors, I used jumper wires to bypass the switch, and activate the right turn signal. Interestingly, when I attempted to bypass the switch for the left turn signal, the right signal activated. This may be more evidence the switch is screwed up, since the connector was seated.

With this background, has anyone using the Flaming River Columns ever had trouble with the turn signal switch in the column? I can't think of anything the guys at the car wash could have done to it, unless they used the turn signal lever to active the tilt. The signals cancel without trouble, so I have to discount that.

Steve C.

Thank you. I'm just trying to find out whether (the lack of) FR quality has bitten once again. I don't share your sentiments about FR tech support, which wouldn't have so much work to do if they spent more time in R&D. Look at the FR rack and pinion fiasco. FR apparently hasn't learned anything in the 2+ years since they first ntroduced the kit for the classic Mustangs.

My other notable FR purchase was an 16:1 ratio steering box for my 70 XR-7. As delivered, it had an unacceptable amount of play, which couldn't be adjusted out. They replaced it promptly and the second unit worked as advertised, but I took alot of crap from the FR manager who thought the box got 'effed up during the install (you're never supposed to adjust it). For some reason, he wouldn't buy my argument if it worked to begin with, there would have been no reason to attempt an adjustment.

Steve C.

washMO66 said:

Not sure what you meant but I meant their Tech support sucks. Bunch of smart assess....

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I misunderstood you. I agree. They are a bunch of smart asses. Somehow, they've lost sight of the fact the FR design/manufacture/quality problems reflect poorly on their credibility. It makes them look even more pathetic.

yeloxr7 said:

I heard so many bad things about their replacement steering boxes and was unable to complete the installation of two of their rack kits in my 69 Cougar that I have no desire ever to purchase any of their products. The column I received with the rack kit had such a mickey-mouse method for adapting the Ford horn setup to the GM stuff in the column I was glad the rest of the kit didn't work, even though I would have really liked to have a tilt column in my car. Here is my solution to the steering box issue:

http://www.borgeson.com/67-70-mustang-manual-steering-boxes-brackets.htm

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I didn't have any trouble adapting the horn setup for my stock (Ford splined) steering wheel. It's just a simple matter of wiring up the horn contacts to supply ground to the relay, and I grounded to the steering shaft. Their turn signal cam is definately Mickey Mouse. I had to modify it to work, but I otherwise haven't had any trouble with it. I just pulled the steering wheel, and there's nothing obviously wrong with the switch contacts, or canceling mechanism. Oh, what to do?

fasttback said:

70XR7ConvertCat,

This is a side subject, but how do you like your KRC steering pump? I saw these things at a car show and was trying to find out who makes them. I am sick of my whining stock pump and would like something quite but reliable.

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KRC Power Steering makes these pumps. I purchased mine from Chris Alston's Chassisworks (Total Control Products brand), but you can get them direct. The only other issue is to collect the appropriate bracket/spacers/fasteners. Good luck.

http://www.krcpower.com/item548982.ctlg

Edit: By the way, I was using the stock steering pump ('93 Mustang) with my TCP rack. It squealed whenever I turned the wheel, but particularly at low speeds after the fluid got warm. The squealing is gone, but I'll occasionally still hear a slight hiss. It was worth it.

washMO66 said:

Have you had any luck fixing your turn signal problem. I need to taer into mine soon and see if I can get it to work while I still have this set up.

let me know what you find out.

I'll probably wire mine to an external switch just to make it work for now...

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Yes, I did. There was nothing visible wrong with the switch mechanism. I carefully spread dielectric grease on the contacts, then grabbed the signal lever and firmly (but gently) rocked it forward and then back. Whatever part stopped making contact went back into place. The only caveat is how long it lasts. This was after I called Flaming River for an RMA. I'll likely pull the column out later in the fall and send it in to be reworked. Besides the switch issue, I have a problem with play in the univeral joint where the column tilts.