[JP_79Formula]

Looking at the catalogs, it appears that a 79 non-cruise turn signal lever
is not compatible with 68-78. Mine is broken, but i can't find a replacement.

The car is 79 Formula 4spd, no cruise. The lever handle looks the same
as the PY/Ames one below (haven't seen the attachment end since the steering
wheel is still on)... will this 78 part work? or where can i get a 79 lever?

GMI126
http://www.pysales.com/IW_Products.m...I126&Source=sc

FA498K
1968-78 TURN SIGNAL LEVER (WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL) (RE) SEE DETAILS.
https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/De...art_num=FA498K

[Ollie]

No, they are not the same. The lever you show is attached to the turn signal cam with a bolt. It is a 68 and earlier lever. In 79 GM moved the head light dimmer switch to the steering column. The turn signal lever attaches to the turn signal cam with a push turn lock, (see photos).
The correct turn signal lever is very rare. I got these on Ebay.

Photo 1 shows three turn signal levers. the lower one is the correct 79-81 TA turn signal lever. The middle one is for a Corvette. The top one was listed for an El Camino. Photo 2 shows The attaching end of the levers. Photo3 shows the difference between the TA and the Corvette lever. The correct TA lever is the smaller one on the right it measures 1/2" diameter. The Corvette on the left measures 3/4" in diameter. Photo 4 shows the knob end on the El Camino. Photo 4 is a close up of the correct attaching end.

[JP_79Formula]

Thanks for the clarification.

That also answers why the floorboard dimmer switch is not present.

Guess i'll have to troll ebay for a lever... Thanks.

[Ollie]

OOOOOpppps
Fat finger typo in above post

It is a 68 and earlier lever.
Should be 78 and earlier.

[Grand73Am]

The GM part number is 546777 for the 79-81 turn signal lever without cruise. It was used on 77-81 Full size Pontiac(bonneville), 78-81 mid size Pontiac(lemans, grand prix), and 79-81 firebird of course. So you may be able to find a used one with a junkyard trip.

If you want new, go to www.Partsvoice.com and register for free. You can then search for parts by brand(GM) using that part number and you'll find dealers that sell obsolete parts that will have the part. I looked it up and there are 3 dealers selling it. You have to call them for availability and price.

[JP_79Formula]

Excellent. Thanks for the info.
I'll make a boneyard trip, but hardly ever see that vintage down here.

I checked out PartsVoice.com, will check with one of the dealers to
see if they can provide it.

Related question: if the headlight dimmer was moved from the floor switch
to the turn indicator in 79:

a) should the carpet still have the grommet for the foot switch?

b) how did the dimmer actuate? pull in on the lever?

cause the carpet, which i assumed was original has the foot switch
grommet, and when i try to wiggle the turn indicator switch with the
busted lever, it only seems to go up/down for left/right signals...

[Ollie]

I found the turn signal lever too. $60.00 plus $13.00 shipping from Collectors Auto Supply.
$13.00 seams a little high for shipping a turn signal lever. I don't know if you could talk to them and try to get them to send it first class for about 3 or 4 $$.

Yes, my 79 TA has the dimmer switch grommet in the carpet too.
The turn signal dimmer works by pulling the lever back, pushing in forward flashes the head lights.
Moving the lever up or down in the normal manor activates the turn signals.

[Grand73Am]

hmmm....I didn't know you could push the lever forward to make the lights flash, so I learned something today .
But, yes, you should be able to pull the lever toward you to dim the lights. You pull it, it clicks and you let it go.The lever operates the dimmer switch which is inside that box that's on the side of the column. The dimmer was put on the column on 79-81's.
I wonder if you still have the original column in your car?
Here's a pic of a 79 column with the box on the side for the dimmer. Does yours look like this?

[JP_79Formula]

Well... it looks no where near as nice... but it does have the 'box'.
The box has been hacked up a bit... below is the best pic i have on hand.
I do believe (hope) that it is original.

It looks like someone JB-Welded-it back on when it broke, and now that
has just pulled apart... I hope the switch itself hasn't been damaged.
Guess you have to pull the steering wheel to get at the switch?

The one you show has cruise control? mine is just a plain stalk like Ollie posted.

[Grand73Am]

Yes, you'd have to pull the wheel and collar to get to the lever to work on it. The actual dimmer switch is lower down on the column next to the ignition switch. So, you could check it without pulling the wheel. That white switch is the dimmer switch in this picture. If you have a copy of the Pontiac Service manual for your car, it tells you how to remove and install the all the parts. A 79 uses both the 78 Manual and the 79 supplement manual, both available on CD from 78ta.com . Order the 79 manual on CD and it comes with the 78 manual too, so you don't have to order 2 manuals:

[Grand73Am]

Originally Posted by Ollie

The turn signal dimmer works by pulling the lever back, pushing in forward flashes the head lights.

Ollie are you sure about pushing the lever forward to flash lights? I tried pushing mine, but it doesn't seem to move that way. Could you be thinking of later models?

[JP_79Formula]

Yeah, I have the service manuals from 78ta, best $30 i've spent on this project.

Guess i'll borrow a wheel puller, get the collar off, and look at the mess... Thanks.

[JP_79Formula]

Looking at the manual, now i think i get the picture.
The actual dimmer switch is down by the firewall as your picture shows.
Then there is a rod that extends up the column to the turn signal lever,
actuating the turn signal lever actuates the rod and dimmer switch.

How's that for a Rube Goldberg linkage?

That's why I love this car, No Computer (except maybe the HEI module).

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Grand73Am

Ollie are you sure about pushing the lever forward to flash lights? I tried pushing mine, but it doesn't seem to move that way. Could you be thinking of later models?

I could be thinking of later models, the lever on my 79 has been broken for so long I forgot if it does or not.
JP_79Formula,
When you disassemble the steering wheel to replace the lever, be sure to take lots of photos to post. Especially how to get the broken lever end out of the turn signal cam. I am thinking, the canceling cam may need to be replaced, if the broken end of the lever can not be removed.

[JP_79Formula]

Originally Posted by Ollie

the canceling cam may need to be replaced, if the broken end of the lever can not be removed.

Yeah, i'm thinking the same thing... not where i wanted to go.
I'll post the outcome when i get it worked out.

[azkeebler]

I've removed broken stalks a few times on these columns. It isn't as scary as originally perceived, however, if i remember correctly, you need remove steering wheel, lock cam, and upper shroud. Once you are able to gain access to the assembly that sits on a pin on the upper shell, you just use a pick or awl and pop the remaining stalk out from the backside, then reassemble your column and pop the new lever right in. I will search if I still have a '79-80 column here to disassemble and take pics, don't think I do though.

[JP_79Formula]

Here's the scene: some genius decided it was good to hack up the
column box, and then decided to just JB-weld the lever back in....
What a mess - the first picture.

So, i got the steering wheel off, but there is a retaining clip holding on
the lock plate... manual says to use special tool J-23653 to (compress
the lock plate into the column?) to pry out the snap ring... i don't have a
tool like this... can it be done another way?

[Grand73Am]

It would be alot easier if you buy a lock plate tool. They don't cost much. One of your local auto parts stores, particularly a NAPA, should have it for sale.

Here's what it looks like: http://www.amazon.com/Performance-To.../dp/B0002KO3K6

You could probably do it with a couple of big screwdrivers to press down on the plate while you use a pick to get the ring off. But that takes about 3 hands so you might need a helper. The tool makes it very easy to get off and put back on, so I'd just get one....which I did a long time ago .

[Ollie]

Grand73Am

Thanks for the link. I will be ordering one of those too.

[JP_79Formula]

I was able to borrow the tool, hope to get the plate off today.

Where can i get the snap ring? would a GM dealer have it, PY, Ames?

And, does the 79 Formula have 'corner lights' ? i.e. which one of
these would you order:

ACDELCO Part # D6223 {#01997984, 1997984}
SWITCH,T/SIG CORNER LIGHTS

ACDELCO Part # D6225 {#01997988, 1997988}
SWITCH,T/SIG EXC CORNER LIGHTS