Looking for turn signal for my MKIV

[mior6485]

With the unfortunate loss of Russ, I was not able to get my switch. has anyone been successful to replicate or is there an alternative? Not quite there yet on my build but hoping to source. My hope is someone is picking up the design and manufacturing. Any guidance would be great.

thanks

[i.e.427]

My advise, at this point, is to wait patiently. I have had conversations with a couple of current vendors. I believe there are 3 of us currently working on solutions to the untimely loss of our friend Russ. All of us are trying to respect the family and not "rush to market" before the family has a chance to grieve and decide the best route to honor Russ long term. I really don't want to go into any great detail right now. We are still working on getting back to 100% after our recent move. I can't speak for the other couple of vendors.

Frank

[JIMOCO]

I too was a customer of Russ. I did however have issues with the VW mechanism that Russ was using. Over time it would not remain latched in either direction until the steering wheel returned. Russ was great in correcting the issue but the replacements would fail over time. At the time, another forum member, forum name Skidd, was developing an electronic self canceling system that used a momentary switch. I became a test site for him and, after finding and resolving some minor bugs, the system has been working fine for several years now. I could not be happier. You can use any on-off-on momentary switch mounted where convenient to activate the system. An under dash steering column mounted sensor tells the system when the steering has returned to center and shuts the signals off. It also has a lane change feature if you hold the switch in either position for more than a second. In my case, I retained the Russ column mounted switch by removing the latching mechanism except for the springs inside and converting it to a momentary switch. I have the best of both worlds, a steering column mounted switch with the reliability of an electronic system. I recommend you contact Skidd.

[cv2065]

I'd be game for one as well if someone is going to step up with a replacement.

[i.e.427]

Rather than just prototyping Russ' design, which we are doing as well. We decided it was time to take a fresh look at the TS switch and see if we could make improvements. We are still in the process but we do have a working prototype of an all new design that will be going on a customer car soon. We managed to source an unused RT TS switch soon after his passing and have used it to prototype the same design as well. The problem is, Russ' design is very costly to machine and assemble. Our new design cuts down on the machine process and uses a TS switch that is multi function. We are NOT ready to release these, since we want to test them. If the time comes that we are ready to go into production. we will make an announcement on our social media pages (and quite possibly here).

Frank

Upper is the all new design. Lower is the existing RT TS switch.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=187425&d=1689909971

[cv2065]

Glad to see you all are working on it. Please let us know when available.

[maclonchas]

Will be interested in your testing. I am moving forward with a simple rocker switch for now. If your turn signal switch comes to the market in the next several months I may have to do a retrofit as that looks a lot cleaner installation.

Bill

[kirby]

I too am in need of a turn signal switch that is column mounted. Please keep us posted here as some of us don't use social media.

[gbranham]

So, my 2005 Yamaha Zuma scooter has a typical motorcycle turn signal switch. Push left or right to activate, then press the center bit to cancel. I've pondered how I could mount this on the left spoke of the steering wheel, and still wire it somehow, knowing I'd need slack in the wiring to allow the steering wheel to fully rotate. Thinking through how it would work, it might be kind of handy, if it's near my left hand. Could activate and cancel with my left thumb. Just thinking outside the box.
187433

[JIMOCO]

As I mentioned in my post, I am using the Russ T column mounted switch that relied on a hub machined by him. Since I removed the latching mechanism except for the return springs I still have the column mounted arm but it is no longer reliant on the hub to activate a return to center. With this approach, I would think that the machining of any future hub for this type application would be simplified. I use the button on the arm for my horn so I think the multi function characteristics can be retained with the simplified machining.

[i.e.427]

As I mentioned in my post, I am using the Russ T column mounted switch that relied on a hub machined by him. Since I removed the latching mechanism except for the return springs I still have the column mounted arm but it is no longer reliant on the hub to activate a return to center. With this approach, I would think that the machining of any future hub for this type application would be simplified. I use the button on the arm for my horn so I think the multi function characteristics can be retained with the simplified machining.

Just the stalk with the button requires 7 different machine processes. The design is a very labor intensive piece. The latching mechanism you refer to is part of the original VW turn signal switch. Russ did not mess with that.

Frank

[i.e.427]

Seems like this will be a good spot to update progress of our new turn signal switch. We mounted the prototype unit in the car and everything is looking really good. With the padded dash the offset angle of the dash to the shaft will be easily corrected with a couple of flat washers. For a carbon fiber dash we may need to fabricate a wedged spacer. We have however messaged a few interested owners and should be starting fabrication on a few beta units to send out soon. Figured we should post a few pictures of the unit installed in a Mk4.


We figure about a 3* wedged spacer is going to align the back of the TS unit and the dash.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=187987&d=1690672132

The end of the stalk has provisions for a horn momentary feature. The unit also features provisions for hazard lights as well with a latching contact. This could also be used for high/low beam if the builder chooses.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=187986&d=1690672132

Backing plate secures the unit to the dash.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=187985&d=1690672132

Craig (the car's owner) mounting the unit in place to the dash.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=187989&d=1690672132

Finally, we wanted to make the sweep to self cancel the signal small. We ended up at about an 1/8th of a turn to self cancel the unit. These are the marks on the tape you see on the driver's side left of the TS unit.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=187988&d=1690672132

[cv2065]

Looks great. So it sits flush to the dash with no trim ring? Also, does the entire assembly rotate like the RT version or just the turn signal stalk when activating?

[kirby]

Wow. That looks like exactly what I am after.

[cc2Arider]

Looks good I.E. 427 :)

Craig C

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Something for the time till a normal column mounted unit is available.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=188023&d=1690737057

The switch is a long shaft spring loaded On-Off(spring)-On. Its mounted so Up is the Left signal & Down is the right signal. When the wheel is to be turned or is being turned sticking a finger out to it will flash the signals & it will automatically return to off when released.

If you get a steering shaft signal control at a later date it can be replaced with a short dummy or active switch.