What is in the steering column?

[ABX131]

So we switched over the steering colunms and I carefully matched up all the wires from the column to their counterparts under the dash in the harness. I did one wire at a time keeping all the colors consistent. Upon completion I have lost my brake lights. The white wire from the column is this connection. I have power from my brake switch wire to the white wire when the pedal is pressed and the power is moving into the column and does not go beyond to the lights as it did before. What is in the column that is possibly broken that is not allowing the power to flow out to the lights? Is it the turn signal switch that controls all this? All my signals and hazzard lights work. The wiring diagrams I have seen dont show what is in the column, they just end at the plug to the column.

[Jolby]

All the wires in the steering column except for the horn run into the turn signal switch. The signal is manipulated for brake and turn signals since the bulb is only a two filament bulb which also includes the tail lamp. So there are 3 functions completed on only two filaments. The tail light signal runs from the headlight switch. Hope this helps and doesn't confuse you more.

[ABX131]

I looked up the part online to get a visual. I am guessing I need a new on since the power goes in but does not come out.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

1960-1963 Chevy GMC Manual Steering Column Schematic



http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4551646

[ABX131]

This column was given to me by a buddy who swapped his out for a tilt unit. It sat in a garage and then a shop for a while before I got it. When i pulled the cover off the horn unit it had some light rust in it which later made me think the switch most likely has rust in it as well. I have borrowed a wheel puller and will dive into it later today when the temps come up a bit, it is currently a whoppin' 21 degrees with clear skies and I don't have a garage! Maybe I can clean out the switch but I will most likely just replace it.

[theastronaut]

Check the contacts in the turnsignal switch to make sure they aren't bent out of shape. The old one in the pics was missing a contact piece, but the new one had the contact strips bent wrong so nothing worked right. The layout of the old one is correct (first pic); mirror that for the right side and you should be good to go.

[newbe351]

I've seen the 60 - 63 diagrams posted a couple of times on here (like the ones posted by 1bad62pro/street). Does anyone have the 64-66 diagrams or are they the same? I'm going have to get into my '66 turn signal system pretty soon and would like to have the same type of information as posted here if possible.

Thanks a lot....

[j.kirn]

When you work on these trucks buying the factory assembly manual is a real plus

[ABX131]

The problem is my 63' is a mish mash of different years of GM parts so I don't know how much a manual would help. The column is actually a 71. We replaced the turn signal switch and everything is now good!

[j.kirn]

ah the problems of fitting other parts from other year trucks can be problamatic, problem solving required for mismatch parts