I spoke with my son out in California and he said he was starting the 64 f100 and a "puff of smoke came out of the steering column and he smelled burnt wiring. He said the turn signal still work but are really fast now. I was thinking it could be the voltage regulator on the back of the dash. What do you all think?

 

I would say it's time to replace the turn signal switch. They break, pieces move and allow the wires to short out.

 

Likely will need to remove the steering wheel eventually, but may want to take a volt meter and check circuit at the base of the steering column; seem to recall there is 1 hot wire that runs up the column to a connector at the turn signal switch which feeds both the turn signal and horn, the other wires running up the column complete the circuits. Perhaps another member with better memory can provide additional info. Possibly the hot wire is a break in the wiring, or grounding out at the switch.

I would pull the steering wheel regardless, provides an opportunity to clean all the surfaces that operate the horn circuit; beginning at the horn ring/button to the turn signal switch. Since all the parts needed for the horn runs between $15-$20 suggest just replace. My 65 has two horn brushes, 1 at the turn signal switch and the other in the steering wheel collar, both the same size and since they are flimsy I usually purchase a spare.

From my experience, rarely does the wheel come off w/out using a puller. IMO, best to use a puller that does not use the steering wheel when applying pressure to remove the wheel; rather the type of puller where a couple of bolts are screwed into the steering wheel collar and these bolts insert into the puller and applies pressure to the steering column shaft to remove the wheel.

 

Thanks guys. Waiting till he gets back to shore for more information.