Turn Signal problem

TipTopTommyT · Post by **TipTopTommyT** » 04 Oct 2010, 21:18

Folks - the turn signal does not "release" when coming out of a turn. If I'm coming out of a right hand turn, for example, I have to intentionally turn the wheel to about 11:30 (yes, past 12:00) to release the signal. Out of a left hand turn, we're talking about 12:30.

Not sure if this is a pattern with Volvo (I'm new to Volvo); whether the part can be calibrated; or, whether I need to replace the part.

I've heard that I have to remove the steering column to get to the part...possibly $200 - $300 in labor to fix/replace the signal. Doesn't seem worth it even though the steering wheel manipulation is a hassle.

Post by **jblackburn** » 05 Oct 2010, 06:56

It is either an issue with the lever itself, or possibly an issue with the clockspring inside. Mine has always been slightly off when coming out of a turn, but a little twitch of the wheel will get it off - never enough to get on my nerves.

I would take the clamshell off (3 or 4 Torx T-30 screws at the bottom) and see if you can figure out what's going on.

Post by **thecheat** » 05 Oct 2010, 09:01

Where is the normal point where counter-steering the wheel will release the turn signal? On mine, it seems to be I have to turn the wheels back to within two degrees of center. IE: If I have the right signal on, it doesn't cancel until I've almost completely straightened out. Every other car I've had would have turned off the signal after the wheel started moving back to center.

TipTopTommyT · Post by **TipTopTommyT** » 05 Oct 2010, 09:26

thecheat wrote:Where is the normal point where counter-steering the wheel will release the turn signal? On mine, it seems to be I have to turn the wheels back to within two degrees of center. IE: If I have the right signal on, it doesn't cancel until I've almost completely straightened out. Every other car I've had would have turned off the signal after the wheel started moving back to center.

Exactly...except mine needs a tad more manipulation than yours...i have to turn it PAST top-center by a smidge to get it to cut off. Obviously, that's far from automatic.

Post by **jblackburn** » 05 Oct 2010, 10:35

Exactly...except mine needs a tad more manipulation than yours...i have to turn it PAST top-center by a smidge to get it to cut off. Obviously, that's far from automatic.

Mine too, recently if I'm turning left, it just needs a little twitch. I haven't looked into it though, so maybe someone else will know your answer.

TipTopTommyT · Post by **TipTopTommyT** » 05 Oct 2010, 11:38

jablackburn...yeah, I would like to remedy the problem...it's annoying. But $300 to fix would be more annoying.

Allen in Hemet · Post by **Allen in Hemet** » 05 Oct 2010, 19:40

MIne does the same samething, car has to be dead center on the straight away before the turn signals cancel. Must be a Volvo Safety thing, make sure the turn signal stays on all the way through the turn, like a big truck. (by the way, most big trucks don't have self canceling turn signals) Allen

thegeeknme · Post by **thegeeknme** » 03 Nov 2010, 00:15

Just purchased a used 98 v70 170k !! 8-]

Replace timing belt and h/w... check!

Now onto the little things like turn signal not canceling after turning right and returning to center. I can see that it just 'almost' cancels (small twitch but not quite enough to cancel it.) This leads me to believe not so much 'broken' part but rather a worn out piece.

I removed the three small screws from below and separated the covers. Upon investigation, it appears that the switch is not so much the issue... rather it's the worn 'black tab' attached to the back of the steering wheel, pokes through the airbag clock spring, and sticks out and hits the white 'nub' that protrudes from the turn signal switch when it's activated to 'cancel' the turn signal. There are clear, 'ruts' in that tab and as a result of hundreds of turn signal 'cancels' over the last 12 years, these ruts do provide not enough pressure/action to be applied when returning the wheel to 12 o'clock/center.

This part, ('black tab' attached to the back of the steering wheel, and then poking through the airbag clock spring) appears to be the issue and hopefully is cheaper than a switch. It's about 1" wide and sits at about 9 o'clock when the wheel centered and straight ahead.

Does anyone have some part diagrams or part numbers I could search for this part with? I'm really hoping that this part is not actually 'part of' the clock spring... but maybe it is....

I guess the only other option would be to see if a replacement switch has a slightly 'deeper' white tab to make better contact with the black cancel tab.

Thanks for any help or input.

thegeeknme · Post by **thegeeknme** » 03 Nov 2010, 00:26

Never mind... guess I should have done more research... grrrrr thanks for listening..

Post by **Jack Rock** » 03 Nov 2010, 01:21

Both of my cars are the same, maybe it's normal. I've just gotten used to sticking out a 'signal-cancel-thru-the-wheel-finger' as turn the wheel back to straight position.