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When I turn the steering the light switch also rotates turning on the lights. What do I need to do to prevent this from happening?

This is usually due to the telescoping shafts that surround your steering column getting gummy, or having a physical change to the point where they are binding on the column shaft. The only method I know is to pull the whole column, take it all apart and make everything right internally. I wish I could say "spray some WD-40 down there" but it doesn't work that way. Most of those columns haven't been apart ever, and might just need some attention.

Thanks for your input.

I've had both out and de-greased them sometime ago. I also sent a solvent soaked wipe down the steering column and replace the wire at the same time.

The problem could be at the steering wheel. Removing the horn button and surround might reveal if anything is dragging there. I vaguely remember a thin piece of felt between the plates attached to the light and throttle levers, to stop the sort of problem you describe.
The horn button and surround assembly can be removed by pressing it in and turning.

clockwise or counterclockwise?

Anti clockwise to remove.

Thanks, David. I appreciate the prompt response.

Bob

You're right about the felt. The horn button is held on by 4 machine screws. One needs to loosen the nut at the bottom on the column and pull the assembly up. It appears that if I put enough packing in the assembly at the bottom of the steering box tha I will be able to tighten the nut enough to prevent the shafts from turning. Inspecting everything I did not find any areas that would be the cause of my problem, other than the packing was worn out and needed to be replace with the nut being taken down real snug.

I will be trying this out tomorrow and let everyone know.

I get my packing at the local plumbing supply, just simple graphited cord, the same as I use in the water pump except that for the packing above the headlight switch I unbraid it a bit to a smaller strand size.