166 LH Indicator Cancelling - Fixed

Rejoice, for today is a good day - I've fixed the non-cancelling LH indicator on my 166 .

I think the problem is caused by two things:-
1. The nylon collar that engages with the cancelling mechanism is a poor fit on the steering column shaft.
2. The tooth on the cancel mechanism wears slightly (maybe).

How to fix:-
For the poor fit of the nylon collar I wrapped some PVC tape around the shaft so that the collar can no longer wobble.
For the worn 'LH' tooth I glued a bit of 1.3mm thick plastic onto the flat face of the tooth. I used a bit of hard plastic from the hinged bit of a VHS video tape. (Glue was Loctite 435 and bits were cleaned/degreased with Loctite 6061).
I blended the nose of the plastic pad with the tooth so that the nylon collar passed over it smoothly in both directions.
I also lubricated the whole switch assembly (as well as the nylon collar) and all the functions work much nicer now.
Here are some pictures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7301074...7600926220173/

I have a non cancelling left indicator on my Brera. Apparently, it's a "known issue"

well done Ken - you're a 166 genius

BIT OF A JOB,congratulations very ingenious!

Well done ! Can you come and do mine I'm only around the corner from you

Originally Posted by Snapper_Five

I have a non cancelling left indicator on my Brera. Apparently, it's a "known issue"

repair will be under warranty tho'

Originally Posted by forge-l

Well done ! Can you come and do mine I'm only around the corner from you

Well done Ken, I am only "around the corner" so you CAN come and do mine if you want?

I knew it would be an easy fix - I remember sorting this issue on my Lancia Beta, Delta & Prisma. Removing steering wheel was easy then - Is it not a hassle now? How long to do job?

Originally Posted by Dougie166

Well done Ken, I am only "around the corner" so you CAN come and do mine if you want?

I knew it would be an easy fix - I remember sorting this issue on my Lancia Beta, Delta & Prisma. Removing steering wheel was easy then - Is it not a hassle now? How long to do job?

Quite easy now I know what to do and I was lucky in that the superglue/plastic combo was a good one. Probably 1 hour give or take.
Steering wheel removal is easy with suitable puller (steering wheel hub is tapped M8 - I made my own puller). Hardest bit is getting the Allen key into the angled screws for the steering wheel boss/air bag!

Ken, you are THE 166 man!

I actually prefer the non-self-cancelling indicators! They are very useful for those big roundabouts where they otherwise switch off incorrectly part way round. Citroen always used to design them that way to begin with, rather than by mistake .

Yes, but Citroen don't cancel in both directions .

Originally Posted by Ken

Yes, but Citroen don't cancel in both directions .

True, but you only go around roundabouts in one direction .

Well, in my experience, it is important that you don't hold the indicator on when going round roundabouts, I have seen many people do this. This is probably what causes it to wear. Alfa indicators do seem to be particularly delicate though. I just had to replace the indicator in my 166 for the same reason. Cost me 180 for a new one fitted though. I replaced indicator twice on 33s and one indicator on 33 caught fire!! No danger, bit smelly though. My other problem is motors on the xenon headlamps. They don't work properly, has anyone had any luck fixing them? I was going to replace mine if possible.

Originally Posted by New166

My other problem is motors on the xenon headlamps. They don't work properly, has anyone had any luck fixing them? I was going to replace mine if possible.

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-...ad-lights.html (Xenon head lights)

Yes, i know how to fix them...........well if the problem is that they dont Auto adjust to the right height?......I posted this a few years ago but cant find it....but before i type it all out again let me know if this is the issue?

Not on mine, cancels no problem in whatever direction - Sorted for the facelift generation?

My Super did not cancel to left - Did not bother fixing, a lot of hassle for a minor issue!

amazing that Alfa did not do a recall on this one..It's a fact issue..
My LH doesn't cancell either..I got used to it though fairly quickly and my hand now is the self cancelling mecanism...