Odd problem

[tradde]

This is a very intermittent problem. I notice every so often when turning
the steering wheel the wiper will activate. I figure there must be some
intermittent short somewhere in the steering column. I don't really want
to have to pull all that apart as I have heard they can be a bear with all
the stuff on the turn signal stalk. Any ideas? Anyone else ever seen this
happen? Thanks.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Yeah its a common problem, the cause is the switch that the stalk controls.

 

[tradde]

How easy of a fix is it? Is the fix in the column or in the stalk itself? I hate
the thought of taking the stalk apart and having more problems later.
There are so many things controlled there.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

In the column, a Haynes manual will show exactly how to replace it. I believe the new switch costs about $30.

As for how easy to fix, that depends on how good you are at trim removal and replacement. It can be tricky but if you take your time you should have no problems.

 

[atari]

Could be worse, My brothers fox body would die when turning right! No power steering mid turn is pretty crappy. That car burnt to a crisp shortly after it started doing that. Dont worry, unrelated issue. -atari

 

[tradde]

Could be worse, My brothers fox body would die when turning right! No power steering mid turn is pretty crappy. That car burnt to a crisp shortly after it started doing that. Dont worry, unrelated issue. -atari

My 85 Capri had that exact same problem (not the burning part though).
It would start to stall when I turned the steering wheel. I later noticed
that as I was turning I had my hand towards the top of the wheel and
was actually pulling it a bit towards myself. I discovered the switch
mechanism was actually pulling apart when this happened thus causing
the car to try to stall. Replaced the switch and the problem went away.
The case of the old switch had a tab or something broken. I think I
was told by someone that it was a fairly common problem back then.
Sorry to hear your buddies car burned though.