Probe Turn Signal How-To

[dv/dt]

A while back someone suggested the Ford Probe turn signal switch as a good alternative for the Roadster. At the end of the day I solved my turn signal, headlight dimmer, hazard flasher and horn requirements.

Here are a couple of pics of the Probe switch.





The switch has turn signals and a spring-loaded pull to toggle the high/low beams. The lettered area lights up with the dash lights (if you wire it that way) and comes with a green cover on the bulb.

One cool thing is that the handle comes off to leave just a small shaft sticking out. If you wanted you could machine up a billet handle for it.



Here is a picture of the turn signal cancelling ring that sends an electronic signal to the switch.



Here are a couple of pics showing the bracket I made up for the cancelling ring as well as a drawing for it.

[dv/dt]

[dv/dt]

You can see in this pic that I had to elongate the mounting holes in the bracket and shift it to the right to center the shaft in the switch. For some reason my shaft was not centered between teh mounting bolts so the bearing retainer must be a bit off.

[dv/dt]

In order to turn the sleeve on the cancelling ring I got creative and found that the old rubber bushing I removed from my clutch cable to install the firewall adjuster fit perfect. It’s on the left below and on the right is the slip ring for the horn (more on that later). Note that I cut off the small tab on the steel ring around the bushing. The bushing is fairly tight on the shaft so you can slide it into postion but it shouldn't move under normal use. If I find that it does slip a drop of crazy glue should fix it.





Just drill a couple of holes in the bushing that line up with the pins on the removable drive sleeve from the cancelling ring.



Here it is assembled.

[dv/dt]

Here it is on the shaft and hooked up to the cancelling switch.



You can see the horn slip ring in the previous pictures. In this picture you can see the brush for the horn on the cancelling switch. It was to short to reach the slip ring so I extended it by cutting it and then soldering in a section of tubing. The brush come of the switch body by pulling of the wire lead and popping of an e-clip on the end that acts as a retainer (don’t loose it). I got the thin wall tubing from an old extendable antenna off a phone ground station (hey, whatever works). Got a longer spring from a retractable pen (once again, whatever works).

[dv/dt]

Worked perfect and I now have a brush/slip ring for my steering wheel mounted horn switch. Note that the stock horn relay is activated by completing a ground to the relay so only one return wire is required since the steering shaft can provide the ground.

[dv/dt]

Here is a picture of the flasher unit (does both signals as well as hazards).



On the ’89 Probe this was located with several other components on the firewall just to the left of the steering shaft (mounted so that the connector end pointed into the firewall. From what I understand this particular unit may have only been available on the ‘89’s. I think Mazda 626’s also may have used them.

Here's a mock up of the horn buttons. In the final version they will be mounted futher out towards the rim.



I did a little more searching and found some more info on the flasher module. You can get it (just the module, not the switch) off the following cars:

'89 Ford Probe
'94-'96 Ford Escort
'94-'96 Mercury Tracer

It is $70 new so a scrap yard is the way to go. We picked up a couple of units for $20 each for the whole setup (removed ourselves).

[dv/dt]

Just got back from the scrap yard and thought I would let you know that I confirmed that the flasher unit is the same on the '94-'96 Escorts. It is actually a better source since, on the Escort, the flasher is connected by a connector and harness which you can splice into your existing harness. On the Probe it plugged into some sort of block so, as you can see above, you have to use 1/4" female spade connectors to hook it up. I will be swapping out mine to put in the connector from the Escort.

[dv/dt]

Here's a picture of the horn buttons in their final location.



Here is the back side. I need to find a small rubber/vinyl cap for the back of the switch. The wires will be covered with aluminum tape (quick experiment here and won't be very visible) and then go into a groove I cut in the hub.



Into the center of the hub and out the back.

[dv/dt]

Where they connect to the copper ring.

[dv/dt]

Here you go. Looking at the back of the switch.



And here's the connector.



hazards are activated by grounding one of the wires on the flasher unit. A dash toggle or rocker switch is all that's required. Works like a charm.

As for the flash-to-pass, I tried to figure that on out and fried one of the switches. So no I don't know how it would hook up and I don't plan on trying again. I always run with my head lights on anyway for safety (even more so with this car) and a simple pull will toggle the high/low anyway. I assume that feature was for if you had your lights in the off position and pulled for flash to pass.

[dv/dt]

The main thing from the other post is the wiring diagram the original guy was kind enough to post. Wish I knew who it was to give credit.

[rich grsc]

Just had to bring that over didnt you Kidding.
Show your parking Brake mod as well.
Oh, and dont forget the booster too.
I'm using the turn signal and the booster mods. Thanks for the work you've done on those and sharing.

[dv/dt]

Final product with a custom billet handle.



Cheers, Rod

[LewPoberezny]

Control.jpgMomentary switch.jpgThis switch http://www.delcity.net/cartviewitem?...553DL&search=y with this control http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/produc...fCatId=&mmyId= was very easy to install

[3yearplan]

Thanks for ALL the great info and the great pictures, I really appreciate the new ideas.

Mike

[Silversmith]

Great Read!!!!! Will look into for sure!!

[frankeeski]

Rod, Thanks for bringing this over. I did this mod early in my build and really couldn't appreciate all that little switch did until I got my car on the road. The Probe turn signal switches are still plentiful at the wrecking yards and I try to pick one or two up each time I go to try and help out other builder. Your in-depth, step by step account of how you did this really has helped many builders, we all Thank You.


I do wish however that when someone (like yourself) goes to all the trouble of posting something like this, that others would not jump on the thread and say "Hey, I did this instead" and post a link to another product and ruin the thread you put so much time into creating. I wish they would just start their own thread. Oh well, off my soapbox

[Tpa65cpe]

Hey!! Nice pic's ,info and tech on this mod!! Thank you for shareing this with all of us on the forum. This is why I spend most of my time here! Great idea on the ext for the horn.

[rich grsc]

I have an extra cancel ring and switch with harness if anyone needs them. I'm not on here a lot so you can e-mail my if interested, richschppratyahoodotcom

[E-Ticket Ride]

Rich - E-mail sent.
CL

[adam42a]

Where did you get the beautiful clock turn switches? I love them and have to get some, Thank you.............Adam