Turn signal cancel tab on the steering wheel hub

[Drew Gregg]

I have had 3 steering wheels in my car. All of the hubs,mostly MOMO, had the cancel tab on the left. The turn signal would cancel after making a complete 90 degree turn. Since the 1973 and older CS and 2002 models have the turn stalk on the right, I thought the cancel tab should also be on the right. I took my lastest hub and turned the tab around to the right. The stalk would not allow the switch pin to move into position while the wheel was straight. So, no turn signal while you're driving straight ahead while wanting to signal that you are making a turn.
The cancel tab is now back in the left position.

 

[Honolulu]

Isn't the cancel tab supposed to be opposite the little finger that pokes out of the turn signal apparatus, so you have to turn the wheel a certain amount for it to work? I've had trouble with mine...

OTOH could you move the turn signal switch?

 

[Drew Gregg]

Hono,
That little finger in the center of the turn signal mechanism sticks out almost to the steering shaft. The stalk moving up (left) or down(right) sends the signal to the blinker relay to power the lights. The cancel tab has to be moved to the opposite side of the steering shaft(to the left). Then when you make your turn, the tab hits the little finger and the switch is sent back to the neutral position.
I was able to buy a NOS turn signal stalk on EBay. My original stalk only worked sporadically. After 3 different blinker relays, I knew the stalk had to be replaced. The mechanical parts worked,but the electrical circuits/contacts needed work.
Here are pics of the old and new stalks.
The turn signal switch can be easily moved to the left by buying a later model BMW---