Write up - Combo switch full disassembly and cleaning
01-14-06, 12:40 AM
#1
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Write up - Combo switch full disassembly and cleaning
I' ve put up with no highbeams for sometime now. Spraying contact cleaner in the switch didn't work, so I knew I had to go for a full disassembly and cleaning. It went so well I really wish I had taken pics. It took me a little over 2 hrs, but I had no idea what I was doing, and could do it a lot faster now. I've never seen a write up that detailed full disassembly, so I thought I would do one.
Here we go:
Disconnect battery
Gently pry off the horn cover
Remove 3 screws that hold the horn ring on
Remove that spring and spring seat
Remove steering wheel bolt (23mm)
Mark the wheel hub and steering shaft so you can centre the wheel when you put it back on
Remove steering wheel. Don't bang on it and collapse the column!
Note there are two plastic pins that are at 12 and 6 o'clock that went into the steering wheel hub
Remove the plastic column surround
Loosen the combo switch clamp. Its on the bottom facing from left to right (Phillips screw)
The combo switch is held to the column by a plastic tab you can't see.
Gently shake and pull the switch till it pops off
Disconnect all wiring plugs
Lay the switch face down on a table with very good light
There is a little cover held by 1 Phillips screw - remove it - watch for 2 little ball bearings
Gently and carefully separate the two halfs of the switch. It is held together by three plastic tabs
You now have access to all the various contacts.
Clean up any old congealed grease
Clean every contact you see with contact cleaner. I had to scrape some of mine with an Exacto knife until they shone.
There are a series of copper arms with contacts on them that sort of look light distributor points. These are the ones that operate the lights. Clean and/or file them until they are beautiful and shiny.
Put new grease on everything that moves
Put the two halfs of the switch back together, making sure you get the 2 sliding mechanisms properly engaged.
Put the little cover back on.
Go back to the car and reconnect the wiring to the switch.
Reconnect the battery and make sure all the switches function properly
Disconnect the battery and the switch connections
Slide the switch back onto the column and reconnect the wiring
Tighten the combo switch mounting clamp
Lay the top column surround onto the column
Gently put the steering wheel back on, making sure to engage the 2 plastic pins at 12 and 6 o'clock. If you have to force the wheel, the pins aren't aligned
Tighten the wheel to 25 ft lbs as per the manual
Install the horn spring seat and spring
Hold the horn ring over the spring and install the 3 screws
Install the horn cover
Install the column surround
Reconnect the battery
Watch in amazement as everything works like new!
Here we go:
Disconnect battery
Gently pry off the horn cover
Remove 3 screws that hold the horn ring on
Remove that spring and spring seat
Remove steering wheel bolt (23mm)
Mark the wheel hub and steering shaft so you can centre the wheel when you put it back on
Remove steering wheel. Don't bang on it and collapse the column!
Note there are two plastic pins that are at 12 and 6 o'clock that went into the steering wheel hub
Remove the plastic column surround
Loosen the combo switch clamp. Its on the bottom facing from left to right (Phillips screw)
The combo switch is held to the column by a plastic tab you can't see.
Gently shake and pull the switch till it pops off
Disconnect all wiring plugs
Lay the switch face down on a table with very good light
There is a little cover held by 1 Phillips screw - remove it - watch for 2 little ball bearings
Gently and carefully separate the two halfs of the switch. It is held together by three plastic tabs
You now have access to all the various contacts.
Clean up any old congealed grease
Clean every contact you see with contact cleaner. I had to scrape some of mine with an Exacto knife until they shone.
There are a series of copper arms with contacts on them that sort of look light distributor points. These are the ones that operate the lights. Clean and/or file them until they are beautiful and shiny.
Put new grease on everything that moves
Put the two halfs of the switch back together, making sure you get the 2 sliding mechanisms properly engaged.
Put the little cover back on.
Go back to the car and reconnect the wiring to the switch.
Reconnect the battery and make sure all the switches function properly
Disconnect the battery and the switch connections
Slide the switch back onto the column and reconnect the wiring
Tighten the combo switch mounting clamp
Lay the top column surround onto the column
Gently put the steering wheel back on, making sure to engage the 2 plastic pins at 12 and 6 o'clock. If you have to force the wheel, the pins aren't aligned
Tighten the wheel to 25 ft lbs as per the manual
Install the horn spring seat and spring
Hold the horn ring over the spring and install the 3 screws
Install the horn cover
Install the column surround
Reconnect the battery
Watch in amazement as everything works like new!
Last edited by Whanrow; 01-14-06 at 12:44 AM.
01-14-06, 10:52 AM
#5
Beware when you dismantle the switch, one piece wants to fall out, just pull it apart gently so you dont lose it or where it sits. Also clean the copper contacts thoroughly and make sure they still make contact past the plastic. I used a nail file to grind away the glazed crud on these and then electrical contact cleaner to drench the entire switch.
The two plastic pins are your indicator return and will break if you force them, so be aware they are needed and are brittle.....ask me how I know this...d'oh
The two plastic pins are your indicator return and will break if you force them, so be aware they are needed and are brittle.....ask me how I know this...d'oh
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