Hey everybody. This is my first post. I’ve bought a 1984 Ford E3 55.8 L 351 Windsor cutaway chassis short bus back in September of last year. I currently live in it and I am doing a conversion as well. I am dealing with some wiring issues with my turn signal switch and lever. The lever feels somewhat loose, the lights do work, but they do not stay flashing they blink once and then I have to roll the lever to a sweet spot in order to keep the turn signal flashing. It is also a slow flash and I’m not sure if that’s normal. Any advisement on how to fix this is greatly appreciated as I am trying to get this vehicle inspected and plated so I can drive it to Indiana to visit family. I’m currently in central Texas working on it and would love it if anyone local to the area could possibly give me a few pointers or help me out a little bit . Also any advisement on how to fix it given here on the forum is also greatly appreciated. I am learning the mechanics of this awesome beast, So please be patient because I do not know a lot of jargon or specifics. I am a very quick learner though and retain information very well.

I’m 34 and I’ve been working on my own vehicles for 10 years so don’t be worried. It’s all an experience, right? LolI’m 34 and I’ve been working on my own vehicles for 10 years so don’t be worried. It’s all an experience, right? Lol

 

You will need a new turn signal switch
And a new flasher
You can try swapping flashers (hazard to TS)
The hazard flasher never or seldom gets used, and are usually like new (the flasher is the cause of the slow blink)
Some of those vans like yours need a special HD flasher because there are more lights
In that case you will not be able to just swap them
There is a hard way and an easy way to replace that switch,concerning the wiring and plug
If you need, I will work you through that, (tell you the easy way)
Those old switches are getting harder to find (a Ford one) Check ebay for NOS

 

I already found a replacement switch at a parts store nearby. I currently just don’t have the funds. I’m going to try adjusting the bolts and see if it helps. However, I may need some assistance if I have to replace it and would love a walk/talk through if that’s the case

 

You can live with a faulty turn signal switch forever, if you can hold it and make it work
Just grab hold when you see cops
Get them to flash at a normal speed by replacing the flasher
That van most likely has a HD flasher for the emergency flasher as well
The more lights and the further they are away, the harder it is for the flasher to do its job

 

Nice looking bus! Do you have more pics? The back looks like an interesting design from the side.
Does your bus have tilt steering wheel and is it a straight shift or an automatic transmission?
I'm asking because for a van with a tilt wheel and automatic trans, there appears to be a switch that was manufactured especially for the 1984 and then in 1995, a different switch was engineered. Wither it is just an updated design or a completely different part, that is what i'm curious about.