Buy Pontiac Firebird Turn Signal Cams

A Pontiac Firebird turn signal cam (also called a turn-signal cancel cam, canceling ring, or indicator canceler) is a small part inside the steering column that turns with the wheel. As the wheel comes back toward straight after a turn, the cam bumps the tabs (springs) in the turn-signal switch so the lever snaps back to center and the blinker shuts off. Most cars use a self-canceling setup like this. (Wikipedia)

The cancel cam sits under the steering wheel at the very top of the column. On many GM/Saginaw columns (used across Firebirds), it also carries the horn contact ring. When you remove the wheel, you'll see the cam on top of a preload spring and below the lock plate. A detailed GM column teardown shows the cam and describes how its ÒbumpsÓ push the switch's cancel springs as the wheel turns. (crankshaftcoalition.com)

Pontiac built the Firebird from 1967-2002 over four generations on GM's F-body platform (shared with the Camaro). The column design and switch style changed over the years, but Firebirds across these eras still use a cam-and-spring method to cancel the signal. Always match the cam to your exact year and column type (tilt vs. non-tilt). (Wikipedia)

GM's 1968 Pontiac Service Manual (covers Firebird) lists removing the Òturn signal cancelling cam and cancelling springÓ during column service-clear evidence of the part and where it sits. The same section warns not to hammer on the column shaft.

Even on later F-body cars, GM service info calls out the canceling cam/springs in Òturn signal does not cancelÓ diagnostics. That means the function didn't go away; it's just packaged with newer switch hardware. (Scribd)

1. You flip the stalk. 2) Inside the switch, a detent holds that choice. 3) As the wheel turns back after a corner, a lobe on the cam hits the little cancel spring for that side. 4) The spring pops the stalk back to center. A GM tilt-column rebuild guide shows the cam, the springs it hits, and the stack of parts around it. (crankshaftcoalition.com)

* Blinker won't shut off after a turn (both sides) → worn/broken cancel cam, mis-clocked wheel, or issue inside the switch.
* Cancels one way but not the other → one side's cancel spring is broken or the cam's lobe for that side is damaged.
* Cancels too early or too late → steering wheel installed off-center or cam orientation wrong.
GM's diagnostic list for F-body columns specifically includes a Òworn canceling cam,Ó Òbroken/missing canceling spring,Ó and loose switch mounting. (Scribd)

If your Firebird has an airbag (1990s-2002), disconnect the battery and wait before touching the wheel or column trim. NHTSA explains why airbags need special care. Follow the factory procedure for your year. (NHTSA)

You'll usually need a steering wheel puller, a lock-plate compressor, small screwdrivers, and a Phillips/torx set. GM's service manual also cautions: don't hammer on the shaft-these columns are collapsible.

* Disconnect the battery (airbag cars especially).
* Remove horn pad/button, then the steering wheel with a puller.
* Compress and remove the lock plate and snap ring.
* Remove hazard knob and the three turn-signal switch screws; lift the switch enough to access the cam area.
* Slide off the old cancel cam and spring; inspect the two cancel springs in the switch.
* Install the new cam. Many GM-style columns target roughly the 10-11 o'clock orientation before the wheel goes back on (follow your column maker's diagram). (Flaming River)

Getting the steering wheel ÒclockedÓ correctly matters. If the wheel is off a spline or the cam is rotated wrong, the car may cancel sooner in one direction than the other. A GM steering-system centering guide explains how the lock plate, cam position, and straight-ahead alignment relate. (Jim Shea Corvette FAQ)

You'll see these names used for the same job: turn signal cancel cam, canceling cam, canceling ring, signal cam, indicator canceler, horn cam (when it carries the horn ring), or cancel ring. A GM tilt-column teardown shows the cancel cam with the horn contact ring built in, so names can vary by design. (crankshaftcoalition.com)

* Turn-signal switch (a.k.a. directional switch / multi-function switch on later cars)
* Cancel springs (left and right inside the switch)
* Horn contact ring (often part of the cam)
* Clock spring (on airbag cars) - This is different: it carries electrical signals to the wheel; it doesn't cancel the signal. (, Wikipedia)

For a quick Firebird history and model years, see the Firebird overview. For how self-canceling blinkers are used in cars in general, see Automotive lighting. For hands-on column anatomy with photos of the cam, see the GM tilt-column rebuild walk-through. And for a manufacturer's note on cam orientation during assembly, see the Flaming River column instructions. (Wikipedia, crankshaftcoalition.com, Flaming River)

* Confirm your Firebird's year, tilt vs. non-tilt column, and whether your column has airbag/clock spring.
* Inspect the switch's two cancel springs; replace if broken or missing.
* Re-center the steering wheel on the splines if cancel timing seems uneven.
These points match what GM's diagnostics look for when a Firebird's signals won't cancel. (Scribd)

If you'd like to see the parts stack and how the cam sits under the wheel, the illustrated GM tilt-column disassembly for mid-'80s-'90s cars and the Fiero/GM tilt column guide both show the cancel cam and the lock-plate area very clearly. They're great visual aids before you start. (crankshaftcoalition.com, fieros.de)

Turn-signal lamps and their performance are regulated under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108 in the U.S. While FMVSS 108 doesn't tell you how the cancel cam must look, it explains the legal requirements for the lamps and indicators themselves-why keeping the system working right matters. (ecfr.gov)

If your Firebird's blinker won't shut off after turns, the cancel cam (canceling ring) is a prime suspect. It's a small, inexpensive part that lives under the wheel and works with the switch's cancel springs to reset the lever. Replacing it is a straightforward DIY job with the right puller tools and the factory steps for your model year. For background, see the Firebird overview and a GM tilt-column walkthrough that shows the cam in place. (Wikipedia, crankshaftcoalition.com)