Stocky,
I may be able to shine some light here. I can't remember everything but at least it will be a start. You need to refer to the photo's that I have attached.
I pulled apart and repaired my switchgear (one of the arms was broken), but only because I had a second old unit for spares. Without spares I think you may have an issue.
I am assuming that this did work a little while ago but has stopped now. Jump in the car and with the wheels pointing straight ahead, indicate left and then turn the wheel left. You can make the appropriate driving noises if you so desire but this is optional. Before you go 1/4 of a turn, (more like 15cm or 6") you should here a click. This is the cancelling mechanism engaging. You should hear the click when you try the same thing to the right. I am thinking you will hear the click on the right but not on the left.
In the photo note the light coloured plastic parts. These are actually the arms that control the self cancelling function and the things that you would have heard clicking.
If either of these arms is broken and you don't have a spare unit, I think you are in trouble unless you can make a replacement . Just depends on how dextrous you are and how much work you want to put into the whole thing. You can buy a whole new unit of course.
Take off the steering wheel and have a look if the small arms are OK. Just flick your indicator left and then right and the arms will pivot slightly and they will become more visible. When they are pivoted, you should be able to push them gently and they should spring back. If they don't either pivot out, or spring back you have found your problem.
Have a look the back of steering wheel. There is a curved piece of metal with two ridges on it (see the pointer in the second photo) When you indicate left, and then turn the wheel left one of the ridges passes over the spring loaded arm (click). When you straighten the wheel, the ridge hits the arm again and drags the indicator back.
Very long winded but once you take the wheel off and have a look, it will all make sense. Be gentle and spray some penetrating oil on the splines for the steering wheel as soon as you can. The thing will be a bugger to get off if it has been there for a while and it has to come off at some stage if a repair or replacement is needed.
Let us know what you hear and see and we will take the next steps from there.
(Or this may be right off topic........)
Regards
Joe R
