Multi-Function/Turn Signal switch woes.....
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: B.C.Canada, EH?
Multi-Function/Turn Signal switch woes.....
I noticed in another thread some people having trouble with the wiper delay portion of the M/F switch unit in the column.
""My new '93 has a bad wiper delay potentiometer, I can hear the delay relay clack a bunch if I merely touch the delay ****.""
Is there a way of disassembling this switch to clean the contacts, or do I just replace the whole switch? The wiper delay is the only part that is malfunctioning.
TIA
""My new '93 has a bad wiper delay potentiometer, I can hear the delay relay clack a bunch if I merely touch the delay ****.""
Is there a way of disassembling this switch to clean the contacts, or do I just replace the whole switch? The wiper delay is the only part that is malfunctioning.
TIA
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
You ar pretty much stuck with replacing the contacts. It is possible to clean it, but I have never found them to intermitent because of dirt, but rahter arcing gradually destroys the contacts. No amount of cleaning will help.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,016
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From: SoCal
If you can get at the worn contacts, you might try cleaning them and depositing some solder on them to build them back up. I did this once with the sliding contacts for the horn and cruise control, and it worked for as long as I owned the car. I also applied dielectric grease to the contacts and tracks to protect them.
If you get a new switch, you can try using some dielectric grease to protect the contacts. It will help reduce arching between the contacts.
If you get a new switch, you can try using some dielectric grease to protect the contacts. It will help reduce arching between the contacts.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,854
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From: Oak Harbor, Washington
I had a chance to take apart one of the MF Switches I bought at the JY last week. The Delay Switch is very easy to disassemble, and almost as easy to reassemble. I was somewhat surprised to find that it's not a pot, but a set of discrete contacts. Some pics here (click on any image for larger) (arrrgh, too many pictures per post, blech):
(con't. in next post)
(con't. in next post)
FTE Community Team
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,854
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From: Oak Harbor, Washington
In this first pic, it's not my best work, but there is a 'U'-shaped contact that is barely visible in its entirely. Sorry, I wasn't using proper lighting for that shot (click on any image for larger):
I cleaned/removed almost all the original grease and re-lubed it with Tri-Flow silicone/teflon grease instead.
The only modestly-tricky part is reassembly at this point. If you drop the spool in and orient its drive tab 180° away from the arm's inner tab, then the **** will drop right on. There's some leeway, but 180° works well and is easy to remember.
I cleaned/removed almost all the original grease and re-lubed it with Tri-Flow silicone/teflon grease instead.
The only modestly-tricky part is reassembly at this point. If you drop the spool in and orient its drive tab 180° away from the arm's inner tab, then the **** will drop right on. There's some leeway, but 180° works well and is easy to remember.
Last edited by asavage; Mar 12, 2007 at 12:01 AM. Reason: Adding a comment.
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FTE Community Team
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Oak Harbor, Washington
Originally Posted by 96_4wdr
FTE won't let me give you any more brownie points
When I get more tech info on the '93, I'll see if I can suss out which contacts do what. I suspect the larger, outer ones are the WW squirter, but that's just a guess.
Nobody should be afraid to take theirs apart, but I bet that if there's a problem with it that you can't do much about it, other than clean and lube it. If that PCB gets worn or etched, that's very difficult to repair. I wonder if it can be fished out and swapped with a used one . . . but if you do that, you might as well change out the assy, as you'd have bought the whole used one anyway.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Oak Harbor, Washington
I don't see why you couldn't take it apart on the column, though "fixing" it may be a different story. The one pictured above does not appear to have anything that needed attention before I took it apart, and I didn't "fix" anything on it, merely cleaned & lubed. It was from a JY.
Airbags are easy: disconnect the battery, turn on the headlights, and wait. And wait. 30 minutes is my minimum; others use other figures. Working as a locksmith, I have to do a lot steering column work.
When you disconnect the airbag connector, it automatically shorts itself on the airbag side, so stray static electricity won't set it off.
But, yes, it's an explosive and you're handling it.
From working at the JY, I don't think you have to remove the steering wheel to R&R this MF Switch. I removed two MF Switches without having to touch the steering wheel, but I wasn't worried about the column plastic either. You might have to either drop the column down, or remove the cluster surround plastic (which is a lot harder than you would think, having practiced at the JY on a few).
Airbags are easy: disconnect the battery, turn on the headlights, and wait. And wait. 30 minutes is my minimum; others use other figures. Working as a locksmith, I have to do a lot steering column work.
When you disconnect the airbag connector, it automatically shorts itself on the airbag side, so stray static electricity won't set it off.
But, yes, it's an explosive and you're handling it.
From working at the JY, I don't think you have to remove the steering wheel to R&R this MF Switch. I removed two MF Switches without having to touch the steering wheel, but I wasn't worried about the column plastic either. You might have to either drop the column down, or remove the cluster surround plastic (which is a lot harder than you would think, having practiced at the JY on a few).
Last edited by asavage; Mar 12, 2007 at 09:13 AM.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 325
Likes: 1
From: B.C.Canada, EH?
Well, I feel like an idiot. I didn't realize the end cap popped off. I thought it and the **** were one piece,you know, to force you to replace the whole unit for just a wiper delay problem.
Thanks again guys!! I appreciate it!
Thanks again guys!! I appreciate it!
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