The O In NOS Got Me In Trouble

[pjmoreland]

When I bought my truck, the turn signal switch was broken, so I ordered a reproduction switch. It worked pretty well, but after a while it quit cancelling completely in one direction. I believe the mounting holes for the springs aren't quite in the correct position. I ended up buying an NOS switch to replace it. It was very satisfying to open that container that had been sealed up tight for who knows how long. I installed it in my truck, tested the turn signals and the canceling, and it worked great.

Now fast forward a few days. I was out driving last night and saw blue and white lights flashing in my rear view mirror. I figured I was getting pulled over for the photocopy of my license plate that I have taped to my rear window while my plates are off getting restored. Turns out my brake lights weren't working. The officer was nice enough to let me go without a fix-it ticket, and he let the license plate thing slide. I told him I had visited the DMV to try to get a temporary tag, but they said they don't have a way to do that. He told me to put the photocopy down on the bumper where it is more visible.

I knew the wiring to the rear lights was good since my turn signals were working. I checked the voltage on the white wire that comes from the brake pedal switch and goes to the turn signal switch. I was getting 12V on that when pressing the pedal, so the issue had to be in my NOS turn signal switch. I pulled the steering wheel off and pulled the switch out. The contacts were all gummed up with decades old grease that had turned to varnish. All is well now after cleaning off the varnish, polishing the contacts, and applying some switch contact grease.

The moral of the story is that even with NOS some reconditioning might be required.

[HO455]

Great post!

[70STOVEBOLT]

I’m glad you posted this. I had the same problem with an NOS switch recently and also the right front signal would light up when the brake pedal was pushed. Maybe I can clean it and it will work. I ended up repairing the broken connector on the black wire on my original switch.

[DeadheadNM]

The grease on a set of NOS window regulators I installed had turned to glue and these needed a thorough cleaning and regrease to function smoothly.

[special-K]

Some of that NOS is more O than N. Your post is a helpful reminder. Component parts like this often need a a bit of light reconditioning. Maybe UOS would be a better term. Nothing new about a 50 year old part. The new in NOS stands for "Unused"... Unused Old Stock

[Richard2112]

I had a similar problem and almost installed a new switch. But looking closely at the old one, I could find no reason why it wouldn't work after a good cleaning. That was three years ago and it still works

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

I had a similar problem and almost installed a new switch. But looking closely at the old one, I could find no reason why it wouldn't work after a good cleaning. That was three years ago and it still works

I didn't remove my hazard switch. Hopefully I don't end up regretting that. It is working alright so far.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

I had a similar problem and almost installed a new switch. But looking closely at the old one, I could find no reason why it wouldn't work after a good cleaning. That was three years ago and it still works

How did you remove the hazard switch?

[cleszkie]

Reconditioning OEM parts is always the way to go over installing repops if at all possible. As usual, the OEM stuff was made with better materials and better quality control. Can't tell you how many auto tranny reverse switches and windshield wiper/washer mechanisms I went through before learning this lesson!