'68 300 - anyone making AFFORDABLE turn signal switches w/cornering lamps?

[barsteel]

Hello!

Trying to fix some of the smaller things on my '68 Chrysler 300, one of which is the turn signal switch. It won't "click" and hold into place, nor does the corning light work.

I just searched Ebay for the correct switch. I found a few...and passed out when I saw the price (kinda like the correctly numbered alternator for my '68 Z28...$1600 if you can believe it...)

Anyway...so, does anyone out there make a turn signal switch for a '68 C body WITH cornering lights that won't require a 2nd mortgage?

Thanks in advance...

Chris

 

[68plymouth383]

I didn't know a 68 Chrysler had cornering lights. Do you have a standard non tilt column, or a tilt column?

 

[barsteel]

Non tilt column.

Here's a pic of the nose of my car. I'm assuming that the clear lamp in between the bumper and the front of the front wheel opening is a cornering lamp, please correct me if I'm wrong.

Chris

 

[68plymouth383]

No man those are side marker lights. You just need the standard non tilt column switch.

 

[barsteel]

Thanks for setting me straight.

Next stupid question - when are those lights supposed to come on? Are they parking lights? Running lights?

The tiny amber lights in the bumper come on with the parking lights and stay on with the headlights.

Thanks again...

Chris

 

[300rag]

The ones in the bumper are the marker lamps, and yes the clear lense is the cornering lamp which should stay on constantly when the signals are on.

 

[300rag]

I didn't know a 68 Chrysler had cornering lights. Do you have a standard non tilt column, or a tilt column?

 

[Wollfen]

I have a turn signal switch in a 68 Chrysler Newport column, it should be the same and you can have it for $25 plus shipping if you are interested, let me know.

 

[MYSINBIN]

FWIW, you may only need the turn signal cam. It's the part of the switch that engages and cancels the turn signal switch itself. The entire switch and the cam are available from Shee-Mar.com. Check their website and then call them. I bought two switches for a '67 Tilt-O-Scope column with cornering lights from them a while back. Be sure to specify non tilt column, it's different than tilt.

Hope the input helps.

John

 

[Big_John]

The ones in the bumper are the marker lamps, and yes the clear lense is the cornering lamp which should stay on constantly when the signals are on.

Yep

 

[saylor]

68 was the first year for mando turn signals on the side,, 67 was the last year without them, on all US cars IIRC

 

[1966newport]

marker lights yes, turn signals bo

 

[has2bmopar]

A lot of hits and misses here, heavy on the misses.

There are no side mando turn signals on the side; they are just marker lights. That was a one year only thing in '68 for every Mopar from the Valiant to the Imperial. In '69 they changed to a reflector and in '70 a light reflector combo.

The car in question here and green example car have the large clear side lights and are indeed optional cornering lights that, like previously stated, stay on while the turn signal is on.

The turn signal switch for cornering lights is indeed different and is not interchangeable with a standard switch. The switch for cornering lights is red and the standard is white and you can easily see it at the base of the lever through the opening in the column.

There is a place in Colorado that makes the red (with optional cornering lights) switch new. I got one ordered through Sturdevant's and they evidently build them after you order them and it was about $150 around 6 years ago. The standard, white switch is a common item, many warehouses would have them in stock and they are much less expensive.

 

[pgadler]

A lot of hits and misses here, heavy on the misses.

There are no side mando turn signals on the side; they are just marker lights. That was a one year only thing in '68 for every Mopar from the Valiant to the Imperial. In '69 they changed to a reflector and in '70 a light reflector combo.

The car in question here and green example car have the large clear side lights and are indeed optional cornering lights that, like previously stated, stay on while the turn signal is on.

The turn signal switch for cornering lights is indeed different and is not interchangeable with a standard switch. The switch for cornering lights is red and the standard is white and you can easily see it at the base of the lever through the opening in the column.

There is a place in Colorado that makes the red (with optional cornering lights) switch new. I got one ordered through Sturdevant's and they evidently build them after you order them and it was about $150 around 6 years ago. The standard, white switch is a common item, many warehouses would have them in stock and they are much less expensive.

Good clarification. I have a '68 with marker lights, not cornering, BUT red switch. The old switch was bust, so I had to replace. Had contact with the supplier You mentioned, but due to delivery time, I opted for a NOS on eBay for the same price, I believe it was about 200 USD.

But when investigating, I thought that the red/white alternatives regarding swtich was down to witch steering column the car had (Saginaw etc), not the function of the light (cornering or marker)? From an electrical p-o-v, I don't think the switch construction need to be different?

Best,

Patrik/Sweden

 

[MOVE N UP]

Good clarification. I have a '68 with marker lights, not cornering, BUT red switch. The old switch was bust, so I had to replace. Had contact with the supplier You mentioned, but due to delivery time, I opted for a NOS on eBay for the same price, I believe it was about 200 USD.

But when investigating, I thought that the red/white alternatives regarding swtich was down to witch steering column the car had (Saginaw etc), not the function of the light (cornering or marker)? From an electrical p-o-v, I don't think the switch construction need to be different?

Best,

Patrik/Sweden

As said by Patrik = The color of the switch depends on supplier / vendor of the column
Red switch is for the Saginaw columns
White switch is for Chrysler "in house" supplied columns
They are NOT interchangeable
One other tidbit regarding 68 cornering lamps = they only work when the HEADLIGHTS are used!!!

 

[Furyman]

Ive got some NOS ones still @ $139 Canuk.......about $104 USD.http://nationalmoparts.com/parts-ca...lypageV1_WIDE.tpl&product_id=3467&category_id

 

[commando1]

Ive got some NOS ones still @ $139 Canuk.......about $104 USD.http://nationalmoparts.com/parts-ca...lypageV1_WIDE.tpl&product_id=3467&category_id

[h=2]NOTE:-For those that are confused about what OptionalCORNERING LAMPS are-They are Lights placed usually down near the Front Bumper on the Fender that Turn on a Bright Light and Stay on to Light up the Front side area for better Night Vision when you are making a Turn using the Turn Signal Switch. They do not Flash and they are not the Turn Indicators on the top Front Corner of the Vehicle.[/h]

It's so sad that has to be said nowadays...

 

[440_Magnum]

A lot of hits and misses here, heavy on the misses.

There are no side mando turn signals on the side; they are just marker lights..

And that remains true TO THIS DAY, even though most North American vehicles do have at least some form of a visible turn signal from the side, either in the form of a front or rear wrap-around lamp or by flashing the side marker. A notable exception is the current Challenger like my 12 SRT8. Neither the front nor rear turn signal is visible from the side, and the side markers DO NOT FLASH. IMO, that's a safety loophole that really should be closed- there are situations where its really good to see turn signals from the side.

 

[cbarge]

Hello!

Trying to fix some of the smaller things on my '68 Chrysler 300, one of which is the turn signal switch. It won't "click" and hold into place, nor does the corning light work.

I just searched Ebay for the correct switch. I found a few...and passed out when I saw the price (kinda like the correctly numbered alternator for my '68 Z28...$1600 if you can believe it...)

Anyway...so, does anyone out there make a turn signal switch for a '68 C body WITH cornering lights that won't require a 2nd mortgage?

Thanks in advance...

Chris

OK..Speaking from my own personal experience since I had a few 68 Chrysler's over the years.
Some simple tips first before getting in too deep.
I agree try a cancel cam first for the turn signals
As mentioned,the white cornering lamps only light up with the park/headlamps ON.

Before condemning the switch for the cornering lamps concern, I recommend testing them first.
1. Turn on the headlights,get someone to hold the turn signal on.
2.Pull the pigtail out feeding the cornering lamp.
3.Using a test light,get a good ground and check for power coming out from the wire.
4.Test light lights? a)yes go to housing.b)No? then test for power coming/going to turn signal switch.
Since the housings are made of potmetal,have poor gasket sealing from the elements,then add grounded to the body,Bonus abuse from the front tire rash,good chance they will not light up on their own.
Remove & disassemble the cornering lamp assemblies from the car.
Clean the sockets,use dielectric grease and replace bulbs,and bench test assembly with a 12 volt source.
Clean housing surface that mates to the fender.Ditto the fender for good ground.
Re-install on car and test.
Should the sockets be toast,I did a thread somewhere here where I butchered my cornering lamps and used modern day twist-lok sockets.
Try that,take two aspirins and call me in the morning...LOL!!